Checkout Links

Collect payments from clients without creating a formal invoice. Generate a shareable link and get paid through a secure Stripe-powered checkout page.

What Are Checkout Links?

Checkout links let you collect money from anyone by sending them a URL. When the recipient clicks the link, they land on a secure payment page where they can enter their credit card details and complete the transaction. No invoice, no login, no friction.

Common use cases include:

• Collecting deposits before starting a project
• Registration fees for events, classes, or workshops
• One-time service charges that do not warrant a full invoice
• Donations or tips with an open amount the payer chooses
• Quick payments from clients who need a simple way to pay

Prerequisites

Checkout links require an active Stripe integration. Before you create your first link, make sure you have:

1. Connected your Stripe account in Settings → Payment Gateway Settings
2. Entered your Stripe publishable and secret API keys
3. Successfully tested the connection (the "Test Connection" button should return a green confirmation)

Creating a Checkout Link

1. Navigate to Checkout Links (found in the sidebar or under Payments)
2. Click Create Checkout Link
3. Enter a Name for the link (e.g., "Website Design Deposit" or "Workshop Registration")
4. Choose the Amount Type: Fixed Amount or Open Amount (see below)
5. If fixed, enter the Price
6. Add an optional Description that the payer will see on the checkout page
7. Click Create Link

BizBooks Pro generates a unique URL that you can copy and share immediately.

Fixed Amount vs. Open Amount

Fixed Amount

The checkout page displays a predetermined price that the payer cannot change. Use this when you know exactly how much to collect, such as a $500 project deposit or a $75 consultation fee.

Open Amount

The checkout page lets the payer enter any amount they choose. This is useful for donations, tips, or situations where the total depends on what the client wants to pay. You can optionally set a minimum amount to prevent trivially small payments.

Sharing Checkout Links

Once created, you have several ways to distribute the link:

• Copy URL: Click the copy button to grab the link and paste it into an email, text message, or chat
• Email Directly: Send the link through BizBooks Pro's built-in email feature
• Embed on Website: Paste the URL into a button or hyperlink on your website
• Social Media: Share the link in a social post or direct message

The link works on any device. Payers do not need a BizBooks Pro account or any special software to complete the payment.

Tracking Payments

When someone completes a checkout, BizBooks Pro records the payment automatically. The Checkout Links dashboard shows:

• Link Name: Which checkout link was used
• Payer Email: The email address entered at checkout
• Amount: How much was paid
• Date: When the payment was processed
• Status: Succeeded, pending, or failed
• Stripe Reference: The payment intent ID for reconciliation with your Stripe dashboard

Successful payments are automatically recorded in your accounting ledger. The deposit account and fee expense account used are based on your payment gateway configuration in Settings.

Deactivating a Checkout Link

When you no longer want to accept payments through a particular link, deactivate it:

1. Go to Checkout Links
2. Find the link you want to disable
3. Click the Deactivate button (or toggle the status to Inactive)

Anyone who clicks a deactivated link will see a message indicating the payment page is no longer available. Previously completed payments are unaffected and remain in your records.

You can reactivate a link at any time if you need to start collecting payments again.