Short on time? Read this first ● You can send a payment link on WhatsApp using a link generated by a payment platform. ● The process is simple: create the charge, copy the link, and send it to your customer on WhatsApp. ● For larger operations, the WhatsApp Business API lets you automate payment messages, confirmations, and reminders. ● You can also recover payments that never went through by sending reminders on WhatsApp. ● A payment link takes the customer to an external checkout, while WhatsApp Payments lets them complete the transaction right in the chat. ● For e-commerce, WhatsApp can cover the entire journey: support, sale, payment, confirmation, and post-purchase. ● With AiSensy, businesses can bring payments into chats, Live Chat, and chatbot flows to turn WhatsApp into a sales channel. |
Picture this: you closed a sale on WhatsApp. The customer has confirmed the product and the price, and they're ready to pay. So what now?
One of the simplest ways to wrap up that sale is to send a payment link on WhatsApp. Instead of asking the customer to go hunting for your website or make a manual transfer, you can share the charge right there in the chat and send them straight to checkout.
You can do this manually, using platforms like Razorpay and other gateways, or automate it with the WhatsApp Business API. And for businesses looking to cut out even more steps, there's the option of collecting payments directly on WhatsApp.
In this guide, you'll learn:
- how to create a payment link;
- how to send the link on WhatsApp;
- how to automate your charges;
- how to recover payments that never went through;
- what the difference is between a payment link and WhatsApp Payments;
- how to use AiSensy to bring payments into your sales journey.
What Is a WhatsApp Payment Link?
A payment link is a URL created by a payment platform that takes your customer to a checkout page. When you share it on WhatsApp, the app acts as the communication channel while the transaction happens on the platform's checkout page.
The flow:
WhatsApp → payment link → checkout → payment
This model is useful for businesses that sell through WhatsApp and want to make it easier for customers to complete a purchase without necessarily building a full online store.
A payment link can be sent after a customer:
- Chooses a product;
- Requests a quote;
- Confirms a service;
- Schedules an appointment;
- Approves a proposal;
- Shows interest in completing a purchase.
For more conversion strategies, check out our guide on How to Use WhatsApp for Sales.
How Do You Send a Payment Link on WhatsApp?
The process is simple. First you create the charge on a payment platform. Then you copy the link it generates and send it to your customer on WhatsApp.
Here's the step by step:
1. Pick a payment platform
Start by choosing a gateway or platform that lets you create payment links.
Depending on the provider, you'll be able to set:
- the amount;
- the product or service description;
- the quantity;
- payment methods;
- instalment options;
- how long the link stays valid;
- other transaction details.
2. Create the charge
Once you're in the platform, look for the option to create a payment link, a charge, or something along those lines.
Fill in the sale details and double-check the amount before generating the link.
3. Copy the link
Once the charge is created, the platform will give you a URL.
Copy that address so you can send it to your customer.
4. Send the link on WhatsApp
Open the chat with your customer and send the link along with a message explaining what they're being charged for.
Don't just send the bare URL:
https://...
A message with context is far clearer:
Hi Ana! Your order of 2 units of Product X comes to $180.
You can complete the payment using the link below:
[payment link]
This way, the customer can confirm the product and the amount before paying.
What Should You Say Alongside the Payment Link?
The best message depends on the context of the sale. Keep it short, and make it clear what the customer is paying for and what happens next.
Example for a product sale
Hi [name]! 😊
Your order of [product] comes to $[amount].
To complete your purchase, use the link below:
[payment link]
As soon as your payment is confirmed, we'll ship your order.
Example for a service
Hi [name]! As agreed, the service comes to $[amount].
You can pay using the link below:
[payment link]
Once it's confirmed, we can go ahead and book you in.
Example for an Outstanding Payment
Hi [name]! Your payment of $[amount] is still pending.
If you'd like to complete your order, you can pay using this link:
[payment link]
Need a hand? Just reply to this message.
How Do You Create a Payment Link to Send on WhatsApp?
Every platform has its own process, but the logic is essentially the same:
Create charge → set amount → configure payment → generate link → share on WhatsApp
The most important thing is to check that the platform offers the payment methods your customers actually use.
It's also worth reviewing the link to make sure the details are correct before you share it.
If you only get a handful of orders, you can do all of this manually. But as your sales volume grows, sending each charge one by one starts to eat up a lot of time.
That's where the WhatsApp Business API and automation come in.
How Do You Automate Payment Links on WhatsApp?
For businesses handling a high volume of orders, automation through the WhatsApp Business API connects WhatsApp to CRM systems, e-commerce platforms, chatbots, and payment providers.
The automated flow:
- Customer confirms the order
- System generates or retrieves the charge
- WhatsApp sends the payment message
- Customer pays
- System picks up the transaction
- WhatsApp sends the confirmation
Other processes you can automate:
- Order confirmations
- Reminders for pending payments
- Confirmations of approved payments
- Order updates
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Post-purchase follow-up
- Handoff to a live agent
WhatsApp chatbots can walk customers through every stage of the buying journey.
How Do You Recover a Payment That Never Went Through?
Customers don't always pay right away, and there are plenty of reasons why: they're busy, something went wrong at checkout, they're still deciding, they simply forgot, or their preferred payment method wasn't there.
A recovery message that works:
"Hi [name], how are you? Your order of [product] is still waiting on payment. If you'd like to complete your purchase, the link is still live: [payment link]. If you run into any trouble, we're here to help."
The same approach works for recovering abandoned carts in e-commerce.
External Payment Links vs. WhatsApp Payments
External payment link:
- Flow: WhatsApp → link → external checkout → payment
- The customer leaves the chat to complete the transaction
- A straightforward option for businesses already using a payment gateway
WhatsApp Payments:
- A payment experience built into the channel itself
- Flow: WhatsApp → order → payment → confirmation
- Fewer steps, and transactions are easier to track
- Works in one-to-one chats, Live Chat, and chatbot flows
How Do You Use AiSensy's WhatsApp Payments?
AiSensy's WhatsApp Payments lets you collect payments right inside the app, use them in Live Chat and chatbot flows, track both pending and completed payments, and build retargeting campaigns off the back of them.
One connected journey:
Support → recommendation → order → payment → confirmation → post-purchase
A chatbot example:
- Answers the question
- Presents the product
- Confirms quantity and price
- Sends the payment option
- Checks the transaction status
- Confirms the purchase
- Moves the customer to the next step
How Do You Use WhatsApp Payment Links for E-commerce?
WhatsApp can slot into several stages of the customer journey:
Ad → WhatsApp → support → product → order → payment → confirmation → post-purchase
Where it works:
- Answering product questions
- Recommending items
- Sending payment links
- Confirming orders
- Sending delivery updates
- Recovering abandoned carts
- Cross-selling and upselling
- Following up after the sale
Take a look at our complete guide to WhatsApp for e-commerce for more ways to use the channel to drive sales.
Connecting WhatsApp to your e-commerce platform also lets you automate order notifications, cart recovery, and other stages of the journey. Check out the guide on how to integrate WhatsApp Business with your e-commerce store.
7 Best Practices for Sending Payment Links on WhatsApp
- State the amount — don't make customers click just to find out the price
- Name the product or service — say exactly what they're paying for
- Use a clear call to action — spell out what the customer needs to do
- Keep it short — get to the point
- Check the payment status — confirm the transaction cleared before releasing the product
- Use a payment platform you trust — never ask for card details over WhatsApp
- Offer support — make it easy for customers to ask for help
What Are the Benefits of Sending Payment Links on WhatsApp?
The main upsides:
- More convenience — the customer gets the charge in the same chat they're already in
- Fewer steps — the gap between confirming a purchase and paying for it shrinks
- More speed — your team isn't stuck with calls, emails, or manual processes
- Automation — the WhatsApp Business API connects payments to chatbots, CRMs, and other systems
- Visibility — you can track the status of every charge and spot pending payments
- A better experience — support, sales, and payment come together in one smooth journey
Can WhatsApp Replace an Online Store?
Not necessarily. WhatsApp can complement your online store and work as an extra channel for sales, support, and relationship building.
Two possible models:
- The customer finds the product on your site and chats on WhatsApp before buying
- The entire journey happens on WhatsApp: discovery → support → product choice → payment → post-purchase
The right model depends on your business, your product, and how your customers behave. What matters is cutting out friction that doesn't need to be there.
FAQs
Yes. You can copy a link created by a payment platform and send it directly in a WhatsApp Business conversation.
For larger operations, the WhatsApp Business API allows you to automate messages and integrate the channel with other systems.
Not necessarily.
You can create payment links through specialized platforms without having a complete online store.
It depends on the platform and the available payment methods. In many cases, customers can make a payment without creating an account with the provider used by the business.
Yes.
With the WhatsApp Business API and an automation platform, you can create flows that send payment messages at different stages of the customer journey.
Yes, but the process needs to be structured according to WhatsApp's rules and the type of message being sent.
For operations at scale, the WhatsApp Business API provides automation and messaging features.
The level of security depends on the platform used to process the payment.
Ideally, you should use a trusted provider and never ask customers to send sensitive information, such as full card details, directly through the conversation.
Customers should also check the amount, merchant, and page address before completing the transaction.
With a traditional payment link, WhatsApp is used to share a URL that takes the customer to a checkout page.
With WhatsApp Payments, the payment experience is integrated directly into the channel. AiSensy allows you to use payments in conversations, Live Chat, and chatbot flows, as well as track transaction status.
Turn WhatsApp Conversations Into Sales
Sending a payment link on WhatsApp is a simple way to close the gap between wanting to buy and actually paying. For a small operation, all you need to do is create the charge on a payment platform and share the link in the chat. For businesses handling more orders, the next step is automating the whole thing.
With the WhatsApp Business API, chatbots, and integrated payment solutions, you can build a journey where the customer gets support, picks a product, receives the charge, and completes the payment without anyone having to handle each step manually.
For businesses that want to take this a step further, AiSensy's WhatsApp Payments brings the payment step right into your WhatsApp conversations and automations.
Create a Free Account — sign up for free and try WhatsApp payments with AiSensy.