A payment link on an invoice is a clickable button that takes your client directly to a payment page where they can pay by card. To add one, connect a South African payment gateway (Paystack, Yoco, or PayFast) to your invoicing software. Rebill adds the payment link automatically to every invoice once you connect your gateway.
What is a payment link on an invoice?
A payment link is a URL that opens a secure checkout page. When your client opens your invoice (whether by email or WhatsApp), they see a “Pay Now” button. Clicking it opens a page where they enter their card details and pay in under a minute.
Payment links work because they remove all the friction of EFT. No beneficiary setup. No branch codes to look up. No missed references. The client clicks, enters their card number, and it is done.
How to add a payment link in Rebill
- Create a free Rebill account at app.rebill.co.za/register
- Go to Settings and then Payments
- Choose your payment gateway: Paystack, Yoco, or PayFast
- Enter your API keys (found in your gateway dashboard)
- Save the integration
From that point, every invoice you create in Rebill has a “Pay Now” button. The link is included in the invoice PDF and in the email or WhatsApp delivery message.
Quick answer
How do you add a payment link to an invoice in South Africa?
To add a payment link to an invoice in South Africa, connect a payment gateway (Paystack, Yoco, or PayFast) to your invoicing software. Rebill integrates with all three and automatically adds a payment button to every invoice once the gateway is connected. The client opens the invoice, clicks the “Pay Now” button, and pays by Visa or Mastercard on a secure payment page in under 60 seconds. Paystack charges 2.9% plus R1 per transaction, Yoco charges 2.95%, and PayFast starts from 2% for card payments. You do not need to create a separate payment link manually for each invoice. Rebill generates it automatically when you create the invoice. Payment links are included in both the PDF and the email or WhatsApp delivery message.
What does the client experience look like?
When your client receives an invoice with a payment link, they see a clean, professional document with a prominent button. The button is labelled “Pay Now” (or similar). Clicking it opens a payment page hosted by Paystack, Yoco, or PayFast showing:
- Your business name
- The invoice amount
- A card entry form (card number, expiry date, CVV)
The client enters their card details and clicks pay. They receive an immediate confirmation. You receive a notification that the invoice is paid, and the invoice status in Rebill updates automatically.
The entire experience takes under 60 seconds for the client.
Which gateway should you use?
- Paystack: Best overall. Supports Visa, Mastercard, and Amex. Strong reliability. 2.9% + R1 fee.
- Yoco: Best if you already use Yoco for in-person sales. 2.95% fee. Visa and Mastercard only.
- PayFast: Best if clients prefer EFT. Supports card and instant EFT. Fees from 2%.
See Paystack vs Yoco vs PayFast for a full comparison.
Can I use a payment link without invoicing software?
Yes, with limitations. Paystack, Yoco, and PayFast all let you create standalone payment links from their dashboards. You generate a link, set the amount, and share it. The client clicks and pays.
The limitation is that standalone payment links are not connected to your invoices. You still need to manually track which payments correspond to which invoices. If you create more than a few invoices per month, this becomes difficult to manage. Invoicing software like Rebill handles the connection automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Does adding a payment link cost extra?
Rebill's payment link integration is included in the Premium plan at R99/month. The payment gateway (Paystack, Yoco, or PayFast) charges a transaction fee per successful payment (between 2% and 3.5% depending on the gateway and volume). There is no additional charge from Rebill per transaction.
What if a client wants to pay by EFT instead of using the payment link?
No problem. Your invoice includes both your banking details (for EFT) and the payment link (for card). The client can choose whichever method they prefer. Some clients prefer EFT for larger amounts or because their company's bank does not support card payments for business accounts.
Is it safe for clients to click payment links in an invoice?
Yes, provided the invoice comes from a legitimate source. Paystack, Yoco, and PayFast payment pages use HTTPS encryption and comply with PCI-DSS security standards. If you are concerned about clients being suspicious of payment links (phishing awareness is high in South Africa), include a brief note on your invoice: 'The Pay Now button connects to a Paystack/Yoco/PayFast secure payment page.'