Pay by Link in Switzerland: Accept payments without an online shop

1. Pay by Link explained: Collect payments without an online shop 
2. What is Pay by Link?
3. No-code start: How it works
4. Use cases: Pay by Link in practice 
5. Is Pay by Link secure?
6. Scalable growth: Pay by Link grows with your business
7. Best practices for using Pay by Link
8. Social commerce & Pay by Link: Huge growth potential
9. Conclusion
10. FAQ: Common questions about Pay by Link
    

Pay by Link is a payment method where you provide your customers with a personalized payment link or QR code, allowing them to pay securely online – no webshop, POS system, or terminal required.

The link or QR code takes customers directly to a secure payment page, where they can choose their preferred payment method (card, wallet, or local payment options) and complete the transaction with 3-D Secure.

Pay by Link is especially suitable for:

• SMEs without a webshop
• Associations & non-profits
• Hospitality & events
• B2B and B2C service providers
• Social commerce sellers

• Phone & DM orders
  Orders via phone, e-mail, WhatsApp, or Instagram → send payment link → get paid instantly.
• Click & collect / Remote invoicing
  Pre-payments or deposits for in-store pickup or services → customers pay conveniently upfront.
• QR at POS / Onsite
  Static QR codes for farm shops, market stalls, kiosks, hospitality, or donation boxes → self-service payment.
• B2B transactions
  Custom quotes with payment link → simplified reference for reconciliation and accounting.

Yes. Pay by Link combines convenience with strong security standards:

• PCI-DSS-compliant payment processing
• 3-D Secure for card payments
• Secure Payment Page
• No sensitive payment data stored by the merchant
• Supported payment methods include: credit & debit cards, wallets, TWINT, and local options such as boncard, reka, and more.

Start with no-code Pay by Link and scale as needed. The Management API allows you to automate processes:

• Automatic invoice & payment link dispatch
• Webhooks for real-time notifications
• Integration with ERP and CRM systems
• Simplified and fully automated accounting

• Test the sandbox first – from the customer’s perspective
• Place QR codes strategically (tables, flyers, tickets, invoices, social media posts)
• Create templates for recurring payments
• Choose the authorization type carefully: Reservation vs. Capture

Social media is becoming a key sales channel:

• Around 60% of the Swiss population uses Instagram (3.8M users in 2024), Facebook 3.3M, LinkedIn 2.7M, Pinterest 2.2M, Snapchat & TikTok 1.5M each
• Almost two-thirds are active on social media daily
• About 15% make occasional purchases directly from posts

Pay by Link enables social commerce, allowing payments directly via chats, stories, or posts.

Collecting payments without a webshop has never been easier. Pay by Link offers:

• Simple onboarding: Unlike most online payment solutions that require website or web shop checks, Pay by Link lets you start accepting payments instantly. No waiting, no complexity.
• Quick setup: No integration is needed. Log in to the back office with your credentials and start sending payment links right away.
• Flexible use across all channels: Take orders and receive payments via email, chat, social media, or in person - wherever your customers are.
• High security and scalability: protected with PCI DSS certification and 3D Secure protocol, Pay by Link grows with your business while keeping your payments safe.

Whether social selling, phone orders, click & collect, B2B quotes, or events – Pay by Link simplifies payments for customers and reduces merchant workload.