Square Payment Link in 5 Minutes: Instant, Pain-Free Online Payments

Get paid quick and easily—set up your Square Payment link in minutes

March 03, 2025

Here’s an overview of how to set up your Square Payment link and all the cool things you can use it for in your business.

I’ve been running my own online business for a while now, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve needed a quick, convenient way to collect payments without building a full-blown online store. That’s where Square Checkout Links came to my rescue. I first stumbled upon them when I wanted to accept a one-time deposit from a new web design client—no fancy cart system needed!

Over time, I’ve used these links to sell items, host virtual classes, and even accept donations. In this post, I’ll show you the exact steps I take to set up a Square Checkout Link and how you can leverage them for your own business.

Before I walk you through the setup, here’s why I think Square Checkout Links are amazing:

  1. Fast & Easy Setup: I can create a link in minutes without any coding.

  2. Flexible Payment Options: From one-time payments to memberships, Square’s got me covered.

  3. Multiple Use Cases: I’ve used them for client deposits, event tickets, donations—you name it.

  4. Share Anywhere: Send the link via email, text message, or social media.

Step-by-Step: How I Create Square Checkout Links

  1. Log in to your Square Dashboard.

  2. From the left-hand menu, select Online Checkout.

  3. Click Create a Checkout Link.

2. Choose Your Payment Option

When you start creating your link, you’ll see four different options:

  • Take a Payment: Ideal for custom amounts or deposits. I used this to collect a $1,000 deposit from a web design client.

  • Sell an Item: Perfect if you have a specific product with a set price. For example, I sold digital planners using this option.

  • Sell an Event or Class: This is a lifesaver if you’re hosting a workshop or class. I once offered a virtual “Website 101” class and used this feature for ticket sales.

  • Accept Donations: Great for nonprofits or “buy me a coffee” links. I tested this when I wanted to fundraise for a local charity.

3. Configure Your Payment Details

Depending on what you pick, the Square Dashboard will let you do things like:

  • Title & Description: Name your link (e.g., “Website Design Deposit” or “Pottery Workshop Ticket”).

  • Price Setup: Pick a fixed amount or let the customer input an amount. (I’ve done both—fixed amounts for deposits, open amounts for donations.)

  • Recurring Payments: Want weekly, monthly, or annual billing? Just toggle the frequency. I’ve used it for monthly membership fees.

  • Custom Fields: Need extra info? For my web design deposit link, I asked for the client’s invoice number. For a landscaper friend, we added a field for the service address.

4. Customize the Checkout Experience

Next, personalize the link to fit your brand:

  • Add an Image: Show a product photo or a relevant graphic. This helps customers know exactly what they’re purchasing.

  • Enable Tipping: Perfect for service providers. I had a client tip me for extra help with design tweaks.

  • Redirect After Payment: Send customers to a “Thank You” page or a link to download a digital product.

Finally, hit Create Link. Square generates a unique URL for you. I’ve shared mine in:

  • Email: Paste the link in an email so clients can pay easily.

  • Social Media: I once posted a flash sale on Instagram with a direct buy link.

  • Text Messages: Great for quick, on-the-spot payments.

  • QR Code: Great option if you’re hosting a class and you want the registration to go on a flyer or postcard.

Real-Life Use Case Examples

  1. Client Deposits: For website design projects, I send a deposit link titled “Website Deposit.” Clients just click, pay, and we’re both good to go.

  2. Selling Products: I’ve helped friends create links for holiday gift baskets. They share it on social media, and customers can buy instantly.

  3. Event & Class Tickets: One local yoga instructor I know used Square Checkout Links to sell single class passes. No complicated setup necessary.

  4. Recurring Services: For a monthly SEO or maintenance packages, I set a recurring payment so they don’t have to chase invoices each month.

  5. Donations: A community theater group I worked with used donation links to raise funds during COVID-19. They set a donation goal, and it updated in real-time as people contributed.

Tips & Best Practices

  • Keep It Simple: Make sure your title and description are clear, so customers know exactly what they’re purchasing.

  • Add Visuals: If you’re selling a product, an image can increase trust and conversions.

  • Test Your Link: Always do a test transaction to ensure everything works.

  • Promote Wisely: Share your link wherever your audience hangs out—email newsletters, social media, or even printed on a flyer with a QR code.

Wrapping Up

I love how Square Payment Links have streamlined my payment process. From collecting one-time deposits to setting up recurring subscriptions, the flexibility has saved me countless hours (and headaches!). If you want to see exactly how I set everything up, check out the embedded video tutorial above—it walks through the entire process with screen-shares.

Whether you’re a service provider, a product seller, or just need a quick way to accept donations, Square Payment Links can handle it all. Give them a try, and let me know how it goes for you in the comments below!

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