> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.afarapay.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Payment links

> Get paid without a website by sending customers a link.

A **payment link** lets you collect a payment without building a website or adding any code. You create the link in the merchant portal and send it to your customer by WhatsApp, email or SMS. The customer opens it and pays on the Afara checkout page using any of the available [payment methods](https://docs.afarapay.com/payments/payment-methods.md).

Payment links are a good fit if you:

* sell on social media or through chat,
* need to bill a client or send an invoice, or
* want to take a payment before your website is ready.

## Create a payment link

**1. Open Payment Links**

In the merchant portal, click **Payment Links** in the left menu. You will see a list of the links you have created, with the customer email, amount, link number and date created.

**2. Request a payment**

Start a new payment request. A panel called **Request payment** opens. Fill in:

| Field | What to enter |
| - | - |
| Email Address | The email address of the customer who will pay. |
| Amount | How much the customer should pay, for example 1,000. |
| Currency | The currency of the payment, for example Naira. |
| Expiring Date and Expiring Time | When the link should stop working. |
| Enable Expiration | Switch this on if you want the link to expire. |

Then click **Continue**.

**3. Copy the link**

The **Payment Request Details** panel shows your new link. Click the copy icon next to it, then send it to your customer.

**4. Track the payment**

The link stays in the **Payment Links** list. The panel shows when it was created, when it expires, the amount and its status, for example **Active**. The payment also appears under **Transactions**.

## Turn off a link

Open the link from the **Payment Links** list and click **Deactivate**. Customers who open it afterwards will not be able to pay. Create a new link if you need to take the payment again.

## Good to know

* Test mode has its own payment links, so you can try this safely before going live.
* If a customer sees an expired or deactivated link, create a new one. The related codes are in [Response codes](https://docs.afarapay.com/guides/response-codes.md).


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