Quick Answer: A payment link is a shareable URL that lets a business collect money from a customer via card, e-wallet, or bank transfer without needing a website or physical terminal. HitPay's payment link feature supports 50+ payment methods across Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, including PayNow, DuitNow QR, GCash, and Maya, with next business day payouts on domestic transactions. Merchants can create and share a link in under two minutes from the HitPay dashboard or mobile app.

Southeast Asia's e-commerce market is expanding rapidly — Statista SEA e-commerce data shows the region is on track to become one of the fastest-growing digital commerce markets in the world. Yet millions of small businesses still operate without a formal website or a card terminal. A boutique in Bangsar, a tuition centre in Tanjong Pagar, a freelance photographer in Bonifacio Global City — none of them need a full online store to collect digital payments. Payment links fill that gap.

What exactly is a payment link?

A payment link is a URL, often shortened or branded, that opens a hosted checkout page when clicked. The customer selects a payment method, completes the transaction, and the merchant receives the funds. No POS hardware. No developer. No checkout page to build.

The link can be sent via WhatsApp, SMS, email, Instagram DM, or embedded in an invoice. It works on any device with a browser.

Payment links differ from QR codes (which also open a checkout flow) in that they are text-based and shareable across any messaging channel. For a broader look at how alternative payment methods in Southeast Asia are reshaping how businesses collect money, the regional picture is instructive: digital wallets and instant bank transfers now dominate consumer payment preferences in SG, MY, and PH alike.

When do businesses actually use payment links?

Payment links solve specific operational problems. Common use cases include:

• Remote invoicing — A B2B supplier in Kuala Lumpur sends a payment link alongside an invoice so the buyer can pay via FPX or DuitNow QR without a bank transfer form.

• Social commerce — An Instagram seller in Manila lists products in Stories and drops a payment link in the bio or DMs, accepting GCash or Maya without a Shopify store.

• Event deposits — A wedding planner in Singapore collects a 50% deposit via a payment link before a contract is signed, using PayNow for instant settlement.

• One-time service fees — A freelance consultant sends a link after project completion. No recurring billing required.

• In-person top-up — A market stall operator at a Orchard Road pop-up displays a QR or shares a link when a customer wants to pay but has no cash.

For businesses that also issue formal invoices, invoice payment best practices for SMEs covers how payment links and invoice workflows can operate together to improve cash flow timing.

What payment methods can a payment link support?

The payment methods available on a link depend on which the merchant has activated in their payment platform. For Southeast Asian merchants, the relevant options by market are:

Cross-border customers : for example, a Thai tourist in Singapore paying with PromptPay, can also pay through a link if the merchant has cross-border methods enabled.

How does HitPay's payment link feature work?

HitPay's payment links require no code and no website. The creation flow takes under two minutes:

1. Log in to the HitPay dashboard (web) or the HitPay mobile app (iOS or Android).

2. Navigate to Payment Links in the left menu (web) or the Tools tab (mobile).

3. Click Create Payment Link.

4. Enter the amount — or leave it blank to let the customer enter any amount.

5. Add an optional reference number or note.

6. Click Create Link.

7. Copy or share the link directly with the customer via any channel.

When the customer opens the link, all payment methods active on the merchant's HitPay account are displayed. The customer selects their preferred method and completes payment. Settlements on domestic transactions arrive next business day in SGD, MYR, and PHP. Cross-border transactions settle in two business days (T+2).

HitPay is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under licence PS20200643 and is PCI DSS compliant. Merchants in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines can sign up for free — no monthly fee, no setup fee — and be approved in one to three business days.

For businesses that need recurring payments — membership fees, retainers, subscriptions — HitPay also supports recurring payment links that charge customers on a defined schedule without requiring a new link each cycle.

What should businesses consider before using payment links?

Payment links are not a full e-commerce solution. They do not include inventory management, order tracking, or automated fulfilment. For businesses with a product catalogue, a proper online store or plugin integration will serve better.

Additionally, payment links carry a small chargeback risk on card transactions. Merchants should retain transaction records — especially reference numbers and customer contact details — to support any dispute resolution.

Financial inclusion data from World Bank financial inclusion research consistently shows that wallet and QR-based payments reach consumers who have no credit card. Offering a payment link with local wallet options is often the only frictionless path to payment for a large segment of Southeast Asian buyers.

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