Receive payments where your community is
Many self-employed people use social media, emails or messengers not only to communicate, but also also to market their products. With the right tools, you can also receive payments directly there – without an online shop or technical setup.
PayPal Open offers three flexible options, To receive payments:
- payment links, that can be shared quickly, for example via email, DM, post or QR code.
- Buy buttons, that can be integrated into an existing page, for example into a link-in-bio tool or a landing page.
- Tap to Pay turns your smartphone into a payment terminal (provided you have a compatible smartphone)
All variants work fast, mobile-optimized and offer a familiar user experience. This means that the place where interest arises directly becomes the point of sale.
Payment links: From post to payment in seconds
A purchase does not begin in the shopping cart, but rather where interest arises: in a post, a story or an email. This is exactly where PayPal payment links come in: They lead directly from product information to payment, without detours via external platforms.
This is particularly helpful for:
- digital products
- E-book, course or software sales
- (Online) pre-orders or tip models
A payment link creates your own payment page with title, price, description and product image. Variants such as sizes or colors can be integrated, as can freely selectable prices. Shipping costs and taxes can be calculated automatically.
The finished payment link can be shared flexibly: via messenger, email, social media or as a QR code on a product label or table display. The payment page supports common payment methods such as credit cards, wallets as well as selected regional methods such as SEPA direct debit, iDEAL or Swish – depending on the country and availability for the respective buyer.
Particularly practical: Your customers do not need their own PayPal account. This means payments can be processed safely and conveniently online.
For self-employed people who regularly sell digital content, this is an easy way to receive payments with PayPal, without having to set up a classic shop system.
From request to payment in just a few seconds: no problem with PayPal payment links.
Buy buttons: Your page becomes a sales area
Anyone who already uses a website or a link-in-bio tool can use PayPal’s shopping cart or buy buttons integrate with just a few lines of code. This allows you to transform a simple landing page into a functional sales area. You create the button in your PayPal account and automatically receive the appropriate HTML code, which is simply copied and pasted into the website. Customers click, pay using their preferred method and the amount is credited directly to their PayPal business account.
You retain control over your design, storytelling and user guidance and benefit from it at the same time a reliable check-out that helps create trust. A lean solution for anyone who wants to present their offer online and process payments directly.
Sell easily on site with Tap to Pay
In addition to the digital options, you can also accept payments on site: directly via your smartphone. With PayPal’s “Tap to Pay” feature, you accept contactless payments by card or wallet without a separate card reader. All you need is a compatible iPhone or Android device with NFC functionality (Tap to Pay works on devices with Android 8.0, NFC capabilities and Google Play Services. iOS from iPhone XS and above).
This is particularly practical, for example, for:
- Markets, pop-up stores
- Workshops and live events
- Small-scale sales where flexibility counts
Cash on site without hardware: With PayPal Tap to Pay you can easily receive payments via smartphone.
Payment mishaps, fees, stress?
The everyday life of solo self-employed people brings with it a few stumbling blocks; especially when it comes to payment processing. Delayed withdrawals, complicated refunds, international fees or technical challenges can cost a lot of time. PayPal offers targeted solutions to help with these challenges.
Access to your earnings
Many creators experience that platforms release income with delay or only pay out part of it. With PayPal you get access to your earnings, once credited to your PayPal business account – without an interim account.
Facilitate payments from abroad
International sales often bring additional complexity – for example in payment processing or communication. PayPal is distributed worldwide and allows customers in many countries to use a familiar and fast payment option. This helps to simplify cross-border sales and reduce organizational effort.
Less effort for subscriptions, incorrect bookings & more
Especially with digital business models such as courses, memberships or software subscriptions, payments often have to be monitored manually. With PayPal Recurring payments can be automated. If a payment fails – for example due to insufficient funds – it will be re-initiated at a later date. This helps keep subscriptions active without any additional effort on your part.
Resolve tax issues related to foreign sales
Different countries, different sales tax rates: PayPal helps with this to calculate, as well as shipping costs. This helps save time and reduces potential sources of error.
Manage expenses: The PayPal Business Debit Card
With the PayPal Business Debit Mastercard® You can use your available credit on your PayPal business account directly for business expenses. The card works wherever Mastercard is accepted – online, on the go or in store. Best of all, you automatically receive 0.5% cashback as a weekly credit for eligible business payments (please see the card terms of use for detailed information).
In the PayPal app Manage everything conveniently yourself: Set limits, block or unblock the card, or request a replacement card if necessary.
PayPal: awareness & trust
Many buyers decide intuitively when paying – especially if they don’t yet know the provider. A familiar payment method like PayPal is a clear advantage.
With millions of active users in Germany and the distinction as “Most Trusted Brand 2024” (YouGov) PayPal conveys reliability and professionalism. This strengthens trust in your offer and increases the likelihood that interest will turn into an actual purchase.
Ready for sale quickly: without a shop, without a detour
Whether you’re just getting started or already running an ongoing solo business – with PayPal payment links, buy buttons, Tap to Pay and the Business Debit Mastercard® you’ll be up and running in minutes.
Receiving payments with PayPal is easy, secure and flexible. Start now and make it easy for your customers to buy from you.
Photos: Paypal
