How to Take a Down Payment Online (Free, 2026)
For custom work, bookings, and big-ticket jobs, a down payment protects your time and confirms the customer is serious. Collecting it online — before you start — is far more reliable than chasing a deposit by cash or transfer. Here's how to set up a down payment link in minutes.
Quick answer
To take a down payment online, create a payment form or product priced at your deposit amount and share the link so the customer pays upfront by card. With OneSol's free forms and storefront (onesol.io), you set a fixed deposit, connect your own Stripe account, and the money lands directly in your bank — then invoice the balance later.
1. Decide your deposit amount and terms
Choose whether your down payment is a fixed figure (e.g. $200) or a percentage of the total (e.g. 30%), and write down clearly what it covers and whether it's refundable. Clear terms prevent disputes and make customers comfortable paying upfront. Keep the amount high enough to protect your time but low enough to feel reasonable.
2. Build a down payment link
Create a free OneSol payment form or product at onesol.io priced at exactly your deposit amount, and name it clearly like "Deposit — Kitchen Remodel." Connect your own Stripe account so the deposit lands directly in your bank. Add a short line of terms right on the form so the customer sees what the deposit covers before they pay.
3. Collect any details you need with the deposit
Use the form fields to capture the information you need to start — project details, dates, address, or measurements — alongside the payment. This means the deposit and the brief arrive together, so no follow-up is needed before you begin. The customer's email is captured automatically for the balance invoice.
4. Track deposits and collect the balance
Each paid deposit shows in your dashboard, so you always know who has confirmed and who hasn't. When the work is done, send a second payment link for the remaining balance the same way you collected the deposit. Keeping both payments on the same platform gives you one clean record per job.
Ready to start? OneSol is free.
Sell, book and get paid from one link — no card needed.
FAQ
Can I charge a percentage instead of a fixed deposit?
Yes — calculate the percentage of the total and set that as the deposit amount on the form. For recurring or standard jobs you can create a reusable deposit link at that fixed figure.
How do I collect the remaining balance later?
Send a second payment link for the balance once the work is complete or at an agreed milestone. Both payments appear in your dashboard, so you can see exactly what's been paid on each job.
Are deposits refundable?
That's your policy to set — state clearly on the form whether the deposit is refundable and under what conditions. Being explicit upfront prevents disputes and chargebacks later.
Does the money reach me right away?
The deposit is charged to your own connected Stripe account and pays out to your bank on Stripe's normal schedule, typically within 1-2 business days. OneSol takes no cut of the deposit.
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