How to Send a Payment Request (Free, 2026)
Chasing a client for payment over email is awkward and slow. A payment request — a link with the exact amount ready to pay by card — makes it effortless for them to settle up and easy for you to track. Here's how to send one that gets paid fast.
Quick answer
To send a payment request, create a payment link with the exact amount and a short description of what it's for, then send it to your client by email, text, or chat so they can pay by card in a couple of taps. With a OneSol payment form (onesol.io) the money goes straight to your own Stripe account, you get notified the moment it's paid, and there's no platform cut of the payment.
1. Create the payment link
Set up a payment form or link with the precise amount you're owed and connect Stripe so funds reach your bank. Give it a clear title the client will recognize, like "Website deposit" or "Invoice #104." On OneSol this is free to create and stays yours — you only pay standard card-processing fees when it's paid.
2. Add what it's for
Include a short description or line items so the client knows exactly what they're paying for, which reduces "what's this?" replies and disputes. Add a due date and your business name so it reads as legitimate and clear. If it's a partial payment, note that it's a deposit and what remains.
3. Send it and follow up
Deliver the link the way your client already communicates — email, WhatsApp, or text — with one line of context and the link on its own so it's easy to tap. If it's unpaid after a few days, send a friendly reminder that repeats the amount and link. Keeping the message short and the link one tap away is what gets it paid quickly.
4. Track payment and send a receipt
Turn on notifications so you know the instant a request is paid and can stop following up. Send or auto-send a receipt so the client has a record and you both stay organized for accounting. Keeping a simple log of what's paid versus outstanding saves hours at tax time.
Ready to start? OneSol is free.
Sell, book and get paid from one link — no card needed.
FAQ
What's the difference between a payment request and an invoice?
An invoice is a formal document listing charges and terms, while a payment request is usually a link that lets someone pay instantly. Many payment links can include invoice-style details, so the line between them is blurry.
How do clients pay a payment request?
They tap the link and pay by card (and often digital wallets) in their browser — no account or app required. The money routes to the payment account you connected, such as your own Stripe.
Are there fees to send a payment request?
Creating and sending the request is free on OneSol; you only pay your processor's standard fee when the client pays (Stripe is typically about 2.9% + 30¢ in the US).
What if the client doesn't pay?
Send a polite reminder that restates the amount, what it's for, and the link. For larger sums, requesting a deposit upfront before starting work reduces the risk of not getting paid at all.
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