> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.usebila.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Create Payment Links
> Learn how to create and manage payment links to collect funds from your customers on Bila.
Payment links are shareable URLs that let customers pay you directly — no checkout integration or POS device needed. Configure each link with a fixed, suggested, or flexible amount and share it anywhere.
Only admins with **Merchant Admin** or **Initiator & Approver** roles can create and manage payment links.
***
## Watch: How to Create Payment Links
***
## Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have:
* Admin access to your Bila dashboard
* At least one active wallet to receive funds
* A clear name and description for the payment link ready
***
## Step 1: Open Payment Links
Click **Payment Links** in the left sidebar.
The Payment Links dashboard displays summary stats at the top and a table of all existing links below.
| Stat | What It Shows |
| ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Total Payment Links** | The total number of links created on your account |
| **Active Links** | Links currently enabled and accepting payments |
| **Total Collected** | Cumulative amount received across all payment links |
***
## Step 2: Create a New Link
Click the **+ New Link** button at the top right of the page.
The **Manage Link** screen opens.
***
## Step 3: Fill in Basic Information
| Field | What to Enter |
| --------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Link Name** | A clear, descriptive name customers will see — e.g. `IT Consultancy` |
| **Description** | An explanation of what the customer is paying for — e.g. `Payment for technical documentation and system security manuals as per the April agreement` |
Use specific, professional link names and descriptions — customers see these on the payment page before entering their details. A clear description reduces payment disputes and confusion.
***
## Step 4: Set the Payment Configuration
Choose how you want to collect the amount:
| Option | How It Works | Best For |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| **Customer Chooses** | Customer enters any amount they wish | Donations, tips, open invoices |
| **Fixed Amount** | A set amount the customer cannot change | Specific products, service packages |
| **Suggested Amount** | A default amount the customer can edit | Deposits, flexible invoices |
If you select **Fixed Amount** or **Suggested Amount**, an amount field will appear for you to enter the value in ZMW.
***
## Step 5: Set Target Wallet and Visibility
**Target Wallet**
Under the **Settlement** section, select the wallet where incoming payments should be deposited from the **Target Wallet** dropdown — e.g. `Development Work (ZMW)` or `Main Wallet (ZMW)`.
**Active Status**
Use the **Active Status** toggle to control whether the link is live:
| Toggle State | What It Means |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **ON** | Link is live — customers can open it and make payments immediately |
| **OFF** | Link is disabled — customers who visit the URL cannot complete a payment |
You can create a link with Active Status set to OFF to prepare it in advance — flip it ON when you are ready to start accepting payments. This is useful for campaign launches or scheduled payment windows.
***
## Step 6: Create the Link
1. Review all the details you have entered.
2. Click **Create Link** in the top right corner.
**Confirmation:** A green toast notification appears at the top of the screen — *"Payment link created."*
***
## Step 7: Review Your New Link
You are returned to the Payment Links dashboard. Your new link now appears in the table.
Each link in the table shows the following:
| Column | What It Shows |
| ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Link** | The name and description of the payment link |
| **Type** | The payment configuration — `Flexible`, `Fixed`, or `Suggested` |
| **Amount** | The configured amount in ZMW, or `Flexible` if customer-defined |
| **Payments** | The number of completed payments received through this link |
| **Collected** | The total amount collected via this link to date |
| **Status** | Whether the link is `Active` or `Inactive` |
***
## Payment Configuration Reference
Use this to decide which configuration fits each use case:
| Situation | Recommended Configuration |
| ------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------- |
| Charging a fixed fee for a service | **Fixed Amount** |
| Collecting a deposit where the customer may pay more | **Suggested Amount** |
| Receiving donations or tips | **Customer Chooses** |
| Sharing one link for multiple different invoice values | **Customer Chooses** |
| Running a product pre-order at a set price | **Fixed Amount** |
| Issuing a recurring retainer where amount may vary | **Suggested Amount** |
***
## Managing Existing Links
To edit, deactivate, or delete an existing payment link:
1. Locate the link in the Payment Links table.
2. Click the options menu **`...`** on the right side of the link row.
3. Select the action you want to perform.
| Action | What It Does |
| -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Edit** | Opens the Manage Link screen to update name, description, amount, or wallet |
| **Deactivate** | Disables the link — customers cannot complete payments until reactivated |
| **Delete** | Permanently removes the link — this cannot be undone |
Deleting a payment link is permanent. Any customer who tries to visit the URL after deletion will see an error. If you only need to pause payments temporarily, use **Deactivate** instead.
***
## Troubleshooting
| Issue | What to Do |
| ----------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Link created but customers cannot pay | Confirm the **Active Status** toggle is ON — inactive links do not accept payments |
| Funds not appearing in the expected wallet | Check the **Target Wallet** setting on the link — payments go to whichever wallet was selected at creation |
| Customer says the link is not working | Verify the link status is `Active` in your dashboard and share the correct URL |
| Need to change the target wallet after creation | Click **`...` → Edit** and update the Target Wallet field, then save |
| Payment link amount needs updating | Click **`...` → Edit**, update the amount, and save — the new amount applies to all future payments on that link |
***
## Next Steps
Move funds from your payment link wallet to another wallet or sub-wallet.
Monitor payment notifications triggered by your payment links.