How to Collect Payments Online
Whether you're a freelancer, agency, creator, or nonprofit — there's a right way to collect payments online. This guide covers every method, when to use each, and how to set them up in minutes.
- Six main ways to collect payments: payment links, invoices, payment pages, subscriptions, donations, and a store.
- Payment links are the fastest (30 seconds to create, instant checkout). Invoices are best for B2B formality.
- You don't need a website, a developer, or a merchant account to start collecting payments today.
- Offering multiple payment methods (cards + iDEAL + PayPal) boosts conversion by 20-30%.
Six ways to collect payments online
Payment Links
A shareable URL that takes customers directly to checkout. Create in 30 seconds, share anywhere.
Invoices
Professional invoices with line items, VAT, automatic reminders, and payment links built in.
Payment Page
A hosted page with quick-pick amount buttons, open field, or product cards. Share one URL everywhere.
Subscriptions
Recurring billing with automated dunning, failed payment retry, and customer self-service portal.
Donations
Goal-based donation pages with live progress bars, public donor feeds, and recurring options.
Online Store
A full storefront with product listings, cart, checkout, and automated delivery for digital goods.
Quick comparison: which method should you use?
Every method compared across the criteria that matter for choosing.
| Feature | Payment Link | Invoice | Payment Page | Subscription | Donation | Store |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setup time | 30s | 2-5 min | 2 min | 5 min | 2 min | 10 min |
| Speed to get paid | Instant | Days-weeks | Instant | Automated | Instant | Instant |
| Best for one-time | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Best for recurring | ❌ | ⚠️ Manual | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ Recurring | ❌ |
| VAT / line items | Simple | Full | Simple | Automatic | Simple | Full |
| Automatic reminders | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ Dunning | ❌ | ❌ |
| Custom branding | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Website required | No | No | No | No | No | No |
How to start collecting payments online today
You can start collecting payments in under 5 minutes — no website, no developer, no monthly fees.
- 1Choose your methodPick the collection method that fits your business. Payment links for speed, invoices for B2B, subscriptions for recurring, a payment page for variable amounts, donations for fundraising, or a store for products.
- 2Sign up for a platformCreate a free PayRequest account. It connects to Stripe, Mollie, or PayPal — you don't need a separate merchant account.
- 3Create your first collectionSet up a payment link, invoice, or payment page. Add your branding (logo, colors, custom domain).
- 4Share with customersSend via email, SMS, WhatsApp, or share the link on social media. Customers pay through a secure hosted checkout.
- 5Get paid and manageReceive instant notifications, send automatic reminders, generate invoices retroactively, and track everything from one dashboard.
Payment methods you can offer
The payment methods available depend on your provider. Here's what each one supports.
Stripe — Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), iDEAL, SEPA Direct Debit, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna, Bancontact, Sofort, Przelewy24, EPS, Giropay, and 45+ other methods. Available in 46+ countries.
Mollie — iDEAL, Bancontact, SEPA Direct Debit, cards, Apple Pay, Klarna, Sofort, and 20+ European methods. Best for EU-based businesses.
PayPal — PayPal Wallet, PayPal Credit, Venmo (US), and guest checkout with cards. Available in 200+ markets worldwide.
Ponto (bank transfers) — Zero-fee bank payments via SEPA. Best for high-value transactions where every percentage point of fees matters.
Tips to get paid faster
Small changes that can make a big difference in how quickly customers pay.
FAQ
How do I collect payments online for free?
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Use a platform like PayRequest that's free to start. Create payment links, invoices, or a payment page. You pay only 2% per successful payment (capped at €25 per transaction) plus provider fees.
What's the fastest way to collect a payment online?
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A payment link is the fastest. Create one in 30 seconds, share via SMS or WhatsApp, and the customer pays in under 60 seconds. iDEAL settles within minutes.
What's the cheapest way to collect payments online?
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Bank transfers via SEPA Direct Debit cost €0.20 or less per transaction. PayRequest's Ponto integration enables zero-fee bank payments. For amounts over €100, bank transfers save the most.
Can I collect payments without a website?
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Yes. Payment links, payment pages, and invoices all work without a website. Create a link on PayRequest, share it via email or social media, and customers pay through a hosted checkout.
What payment methods should I offer?
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Offer cards plus one local method. For EU: cards + iDEAL (NL) or Bancontact (BE). Add Apple Pay for mobile. Offering multiple methods boosts conversion by 20-30%.
How do I collect recurring payments automatically?
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Use subscription billing. Set up monthly/yearly plans and customers are charged automatically. Failed payments trigger retry with dunning — no manual chasing.
Do I need a merchant account?
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Platforms like PayRequest connect to Stripe, Mollie, or PayPal — these act as your merchant account. Sign up and connect one of these providers to start.
Related guides
Start collecting payments in 2 minutes
Free to start. Payment links, invoices, payment pages, subscriptions — all from one dashboard. No website or coding required.