Your customer is ready to pay, but what should you send them: a simple payment link or a virtual basket with a full order summary? Both can lead to an online payment, but they are useful in slightly different situations.
The simplest rule is this: if the customer already knows the price and only needs an easy way to pay, a payment link is often enough. If the order contains several products, services or additional charges, a virtual basket usually gives the customer a clearer summary.
JustPayFor lets you use both options without building a full online shop.
In short: which should you choose?
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One agreed amount
A payment link is often the simplest option. The customer already knows the price and can move straight to payment.
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Several items
A virtual basket lets you show the customer the products, services, quantities and full order summary.
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The customer pays online
Whichever option you choose, the customer continues to the payment handled by the provider connected to your account.
What is a payment link?
A payment link is one of the simplest ways to give a customer a ready-to-use route to payment.
You first agree what the payment is for and how much the customer needs to pay. You then prepare the payment in JustPayFor and send the link by text message, email, WhatsApp, Messenger or another messaging service.
The customer does not need to search through an online shop or manually enter bank details. They open the link, check the information and continue to payment.
When does a payment link work best?
A service with an agreed price
You speak to the customer, agree the service and price, then send them a link to pay.
A phone order
The customer has already placed the order and knows the final amount. They simply need a convenient way to pay.
Payment after a message
After a conversation on WhatsApp or Messenger, you send the customer a ready-to-pay link instead of directing them to a full online shop.
What is a virtual basket?
A virtual basket is useful when showing only the final amount is not enough.
You can prepare an order containing several products or services and give the customer a more detailed summary before they pay.
This makes it easier for the customer to check exactly what is included in the order and the total amount due.
When should you choose a virtual basket?
Several products
The customer is buying several different items and you want to show them separately rather than sending only the final total.
Products and services together
The order includes different elements and you want the customer to see a clear breakdown before paying.
Bespoke quotes
Every customer orders something slightly different, so you prepare a basket specifically for their order.
Payment link or virtual basket? A quick comparison
| Situation | Payment link | Virtual basket |
|---|---|---|
| One agreed amount | Good choice | Possible, but often unnecessary |
| Several products | May be too general | Good choice |
| Customer should see individual order items | Limited use | Good choice |
| Payment after a short conversation | Good choice | Useful if the order is more complex |
| Bespoke order | For a simple order | For several items |
| Share through WhatsApp or email | Yes | Yes |
| Customer needs a JustPayFor account | No | No |
Example 1: one service for £120
A customer contacts you by phone and you agree to provide a service for £120.
There are no multiple items or complicated order details. The customer already knows what they are paying for.
In this situation, a payment link is usually the simplest option. You prepare the £120 payment and send the customer the link.
Example 2: the customer orders four products
A customer messages you on WhatsApp after seeing your products on social media and chooses:
- product A for £20,
- 2 units of product B at £15 each,
- product C for £40.
You could simply send the customer a total of £90, but a virtual basket gives them a much clearer order summary.
Before paying, they can see the individual items and the full value of the order.
Example 3: a bespoke customer order
Some transactions cannot be reduced to a simple fixed price list. A customer may need several services, additional items or a quote prepared specifically for them.
If the final order contains several separate elements, a virtual basket will usually feel more natural.
If the entire job has been agreed as one service for one fixed amount, a payment link may be all you need.
What about deposits?
Payment links and virtual baskets are not the only options.
If the customer is reserving an appointment, service, workshop or something that requires preparation before delivery, you may prefer to take part of the payment in advance.
For this type of situation, see deposits and booking payments.
What if the customer is standing next to you?
A payment link or basket does not always need to be sent in a message.
If the customer is with you in person, you can use Scan to pay and give them access to the offer or payment using a QR code.
The customer scans the code with their phone and opens the prepared page without typing in a web address.
Can the customer use the same payment methods with both?
The main difference between a payment link and a virtual basket is what the customer sees before they pay.
The actual transaction is then handled by the payment provider connected to your account. Available payment methods therefore depend on that provider and your account configuration.
JustPayFor prepares the sale, while the payment provider handles the payment itself.
Does the customer need an account?
No. The customer does not need to create a JustPayFor account or sign in simply to pay for your order.
They open the payment link or basket you have shared, check the information and continue to payment.
Where does the money go?
Whether you use a payment link or a virtual basket, JustPayFor does not hold your customers' money.
The transaction is processed by the payment provider connected to your seller account and funds are settled according to that provider's terms.
How much do payment links and virtual baskets cost?
monthly JustPayFor fee
JustPayFor does not charge a monthly subscription or its own additional percentage fee on the value of each sale.
Transaction processing
The cost of processing the payment depends on the pricing and terms of the provider connected to your account.
How can you decide in a few seconds?
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Does the customer know the amount?
If yes and the order is simple, start with a payment link.
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Are there several items?
If the customer should see the individual parts of the order, choose a virtual basket.
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Send the customer the link
Share the prepared payment or basket by text message, email or messaging service.
Frequently asked questions
A payment link works particularly well for a simple payment that has already been agreed. A virtual basket is more useful when the customer should see several products, services or other items making up the order.
Yes. Once the price has been agreed, you can prepare the payment and send the customer a link by text message, email or messaging service.
A virtual basket is a good choice when an order contains several products or services and you want to show the customer a clear breakdown before payment.
Yes. You can share the link to a prepared virtual basket in a message in exactly the same way as a standard payment link.
No. The customer can open the payment link or virtual basket and continue to payment without creating a JustPayFor account.
The payment is processed by the provider connected to the seller's account and funds are settled according to that provider's terms. JustPayFor does not hold the sales revenue.
Choose the right option for the order
One simple amount? Send a payment link. Several products or services? Create a virtual basket and give the customer a clear order summary.
