How to Accept Credit Card Payments Without a Website

You don't need a website or online store to accept credit card payments. Businesses can collect card payments through secure payment links, online invoices, hosted checkout pages, and mobile payment tools. These options let customers pay without visiting a business website, whether you're collecting a deposit, billing for completed work, or making a sale remotely.

If you're figuring out how to accept credit card payments without building an ecommerce site, payment links are a good starting point. You can create a payment request, send it by email or text, and let customers complete checkout on a secure page. For businesses that also need invoicing and bookkeeping, QuickBooks Payments offers payment links and online invoices that connect collections with accounting records.

Key takeaways

• You can accept credit cards without a website by using a payment provider that offers hosted checkout.
• Payment links work well for one-time charges, deposits, and remote sales, while online invoices are better for itemized billing.
• Virtual terminals allow authorized phone payments, while QR codes and mobile payment tools support face-to-face transactions.
• Compare processing fees, software costs, deposit timing, and payment security before choosing a provider.
• Using a payment provider's checkout page reduces the need to handle customers' card information directly.

Can you accept credit cards without a website?

Yes. You can accept credit card payments without a business website, online store, or custom checkout system. A payment service provider handles the transaction through its own secure payment platform. Customers enter their card details on the provider's hosted checkout page, and the processor manages authorization and payment processing.

You generally need an approved payment processing account, business verification information, and an eligible bank account for deposits. Some providers offer all of this through a single service, so you don't necessarily need to open a separate traditional merchant account.

The right setup depends on where you make sales and how your customers prefer to pay.

For most businesses starting without a website, I recommend a payment link because it does not require coding or additional checkout software. The customer completes the transaction, so you don't have to manually collect and enter their card information.

If you're starting from scratch, our small business payment processing guide explains how payment processors, merchant accounts, and bank deposits work.

How to accept credit card payments without a website using payment links

A payment link is a shareable URL that opens a checkout page hosted by your payment provider. You decide what the customer owes, generate the link, and send it through a communication channel you already use.

Providers such as QuickBooks Payments, Stripe, PayPal, and Square offer hosted payment collection tools, although their setup options, supported transactions, and fees differ.

Here's how to get started.

Step 1: Choose a payment provider that supports hosted checkout

First, find a payment processor that lets you accept credit card payments without connecting to an ecommerce website.

Look beyond whether a provider supports Visa or Mastercard. You also need to know how you'll request payments, what customers see at checkout, and how you'll track completed transactions.

Check these requirements before signing up:

• Payment links: Can you create requests for specific amounts? Does the provider support single-use or reusable links?
• Customer payment methods: Can customers pay directly by credit card, or must they create an account with the provider?
• Processing fees: What does the provider charge for an online card payment, including any fixed transaction fee?
• Payment tracking: Can you identify which customer paid and what the transaction covered?
• Bank deposits: How long does settlement typically take, and are faster transfers available?
• Business software: Can you connect payments with your invoicing, accounting, or customer management tools?

For businesses already using accounting software, start by checking whether it includes payment processing. Keeping billing and payment records together may save the effort of exporting transactions and matching them manually.

Let’s take a home repair contractor, for example. They usually collect deposits before scheduling work. They would need a provider that supports customer-specific amounts, descriptions, and hosted card checkout, rather than an online shopping cart with inventory management.

Step 2: Set up your payment account and create a payment request

After selecting a provider, create your business account and complete the required verification. This typically involves submitting your business information, identifying the account owner, and connecting a bank account.

The provider may also ask what products or services you sell and how customers receive them. You can explain your business model without having a website, although some providers may request additional documentation.

Once your account is approved for payments, open the payment link tool and create a request.

Depending on the provider, you may be able to include:

• The amount to charge
• Product or service description
• Customer or order reference
• Tax or shipping charges, if supported
• Available payment methods
• Expiration or reuse settings

Check whether you're generating a link for one customer or a reusable link that multiple customers can open. For custom projects and deposits, a customer-specific request can make payment tracking easier.

For example, a contractor quotes $1,000 for a repair project and requires a 25% deposit. The contractor creates a payment request for $250, identifies it as the project deposit, and includes the customer's job reference.

Before sharing the link, the contractor checks that the amount matches the agreed terms.

Step 3: Send the payment link through email, text, or messaging

Once the request is ready, the payment provider generates a URL that customers can open on their phone, tablet, or computer.

You can share the URL using an existing business communication channel. Some payment platforms provide built-in sending options, while others let you copy the link into your own message.

Include enough information for the customer to recognize the charge. A payment request should not arrive as an unexplained URL.

For a service deposit, I suggest including:

• Your business name
• What the payment covers
• The amount due
• A short explanation of how to pay
• A contact method for questions about the charge

Example: The contractor sends the customer this message:

"Your $250 deposit for the kitchen repair project is ready. You can pay securely by credit card using the link below. Please contact us before paying if you have any questions about the project or amount."

The contractor adds the provider-generated URL after the message.

Avoid requesting card numbers through ordinary text messages or email. The purpose of hosted checkout is to let customers enter sensitive payment details directly into the provider's secure payment system.

Step 4: Have the customer complete the credit card payment

The customer opens the payment link and reviews the checkout page. Depending on the provider and how the request was created, the page may show the business name, payment amount, description, and available payment methods.

The customer enters the required billing and card information, reviews the amount, and submits the payment.

The processor then requests authorization from the customer's issuing bank. If approved, the checkout page should display a confirmation or payment status.

Example: The contractor's customer opens the $250 deposit link, confirms the charge, and completes the credit card transaction. The customer receives a payment confirmation through the checkout experience or the provider's notification process.

A successful authorization means the transaction has been approved for processing. It does not necessarily mean the money has reached the business bank account.

Before using payment links with actual customers, open a test or preview checkout where the provider supports one. Check how the page looks on mobile, whether the business name is recognizable, and whether the customer can clearly identify the charge.

Step 5: Confirm the payment and update your business records

After the customer completes checkout, sign in to your payment dashboard and verify the transaction status.

Don't rely solely on a screenshot or message from the customer saying they've paid. Use the processor's transaction record as your source of confirmation.

Then:

1. Match the transaction to the customer, invoice, or order.
2. Record the processing fee and the amount expected to be deposited.
3. Check that the customer received a receipt or payment confirmation.
4. Update the order or project status.
5. Reconcile the deposit when it appears in your bank account.

If a payment fails, check the status and follow the provider's guidance before sending another request. You don't want to create a duplicate charge because the customer thought their first attempt was unsuccessful.

Example: The contractor sees the approved $250 deposit in the payment dashboard and marks the corresponding project deposit as paid. Once the processor sends the payout, the contractor matches the net deposit and associated processing fee to the original transaction.

This final step is easy to overlook. Accepting the card is only part of getting paid. Your records should also show who paid, what they purchased, what fees were deducted, and whether the funds reached your account.

Other ways to take credit card payments without a website

Payment links are useful for many remote transactions, but they're not always the best way to handle customer billing. For businesses learning how to take credit card payments, the other options worth considering depend on whether the customer needs an invoice, is paying by phone, or is standing in front of you.

Send an online invoice for services or B2B payments

An online invoice works similarly to a payment link, but it provides a more detailed billing document.

You can list individual charges, payment terms, due dates, and other information the customer needs before approving payment.

I prefer online invoices for consulting services, professional fees, repairs, and B2B orders where customers need documentation for their own records.

For instance, an agency billing a client $2,000 for a completed project could send an invoice listing strategy work, design services, and revisions. The customer reviews the itemized charges and pays using the invoice's card payment option.

The advantage is the billing record. You can see what was billed, what remains unpaid, and which invoice the payment belongs to.

Use a virtual terminal to accept credit cards over the phone

A virtual terminal is a secure payment application that lets an authorized employee manually enter a customer's card information.

Unlike a payment link, the customer does not complete the checkout independently. Instead, an employee uses the processor's virtual terminal to submit the card transaction on the customer's behalf.

Virtual terminals can be useful for phone reservations, remote orders, and situations where a customer cannot access a checkout link.

However, manual card entry can be more expensive than customer-entered online payments. It also requires greater care because employees handle sensitive card information.

For example, a customer calling to pay a $400 service balance might provide their card details over the phone. An authorized employee enters the information directly into the processor's approved terminal and confirms the result.

Businesses should follow their provider's card-data handling rules and avoid writing card numbers in notes, emails, or customer records.

If this is a regular part of your business, compare the best virtual terminals before choosing a processor.

Accept in-person payments with a QR code or mobile device

For face-to-face sales, businesses can use QR codes or mobile payment tools without creating an ecommerce website.

A QR code can open a hosted checkout page. Customers scan it with their phones and complete payment using the methods supported by the provider.

This works for market stalls, workshops, appointments, and service businesses that want customers to pay from their own devices.

However, scanning a QR code is generally still a hosted online checkout transaction. Don't assume it qualifies for the same processing rate as tapping a credit card on a physical reader.

Tap to Pay takes a different approach. It turns a compatible smartphone into a contactless payment acceptance device using a supported payment application. The customer taps an eligible card or digital wallet against the merchant's phone to pay.

A mobile card reader is another option, particularly if customers use chip cards or the business needs card acceptance beyond contactless payments.

For example, a mobile pet grooming service could send payment links before appointments and accept contactless payments after completing work.

If you're frequently making sales in person, compare credit card payment apps to find one that works with your devices and sales process.

How much does it cost to accept credit card payments without a website?

You can start accepting credit card payments without purchasing a website, paying for ecommerce hosting, or subscribing to a shopping cart service. However, card processing itself is not free.

The cost depends on the payment provider, transaction type, software plan, and optional services you use.

Here are the fees to review before selecting a provider:

Example: Cost to process a $250 credit card payment

Let's say a payment provider charges 2.9% plus 30 cents for an online card transaction. This is an illustrative rate, not a quote from a particular provider.

For a $250 payment:

At this rate, processing 10 $250 payments would cost $75.50 in transaction fees.

The same business could pay a different amount with another provider or when using a virtual terminal instead of hosted checkout.

QuickBooks Payments processing fees

QuickBooks Payments uses different rates depending on how the customer pays. Its published standard rates include:

For a $250 invoice paid by card at the standard 2.99% rate, the processing fee would be approximately $7.48, leaving $242.52 before other applicable charges.

QuickBooks Payments does not have a separate monthly payment processing fee or processing minimum. The QuickBooks product you choose determines which accounting, invoicing, and reporting features are included. QuickBooks offers both free and paid product options, subject to eligibility and feature limits.

The provider also offers optional services that can add costs, including expedited deposits and dispute protection.

For more details on its features, limitations, and fees, read our QuickBooks Payments review.

Pricing note: Rates are based on published US standard pricing reviewed in October 2026. Verify current rates, eligibility, and applicable terms before signing up.

How to choose the right credit card payment method

The best way to take credit card payments depends on the type of transaction, not simply which provider has the most features.

A freelancer collecting a deposit may only need a hosted checkout link. A consulting company issuing dozens of invoices every month will likely need more detailed billing and payment records. A delivery business may prefer a mobile payment app because transactions happen face to face.

Here's how I would match each situation to a payment method.

Before committing to a provider, I suggest testing the payment process with a small transaction or available test environment.

Look at the experience from both sides. Is it clear to the customer what they're paying for? Does the business receive a useful payment record? Can employees find the transaction later if the customer requests a receipt, refund, or correction?

Also check whether you can export transaction reports. This becomes more useful as payment volume grows, particularly when you're comparing deposits with bank statements and accounting records.

Businesses that expect to expand into ecommerce may prefer a processor with website checkout integrations and more advanced payment tools. If you need those features, our guide to the best online payment processors can help you compare providers.

How to keep credit card payments secure without a website

Accepting credit card payments without a website does not remove your responsibility to protect customer payment information.

The safest starting point for most small businesses is to use a reputable payment provider's hosted checkout tools rather than collecting and storing card details themselves.

When customers enter their card information directly into a provider-hosted payment page, your business has less direct exposure to sensitive card data.

Follow these practices when accepting credit card payments:

• Use approved payment tools. Choose a reputable processor that supports PCI-compliant payment acceptance and review which merchant security responsibilities remain yours.
• Never collect card numbers in ordinary email or text. Direct customers to your secure payment page instead.
• Protect your merchant account. Enable multifactor authentication, use unique passwords, and restrict access to payment and refund settings.
• Verify payment status. Check your payment dashboard before marking an invoice paid or releasing goods.
• Document refunds and cancellations. Give customers clear payment terms and maintain records that support dispute resolution.
• Review unusual payment activity. Investigate unexpected payment attempts, duplicate transactions, or requests to refund money through a different channel.

If customers pay by phone, employees should enter information directly into the approved virtual terminal and follow the processor's handling requirements. Avoid recording calls containing card details unless your recording setup meets the applicable security requirements.

A payment processor can manage much of the technical payment process, but your business still controls access, communication, and day-to-day transaction handling.

For more about how payment information moves between systems, see our payment gateway vs payment processor comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Bottom line

You can start accepting credit card payments without building an ecommerce website or setting up a custom checkout page. A payment link is usually the simplest option for remote charges and deposits, while online invoices are better for detailed billing. Virtual terminals, QR codes, and mobile payment tools provide alternatives for phone and in-person transactions.

Choose a provider that fits how you sell, then verify processing costs, checkout security, deposit timing, and recordkeeping before taking your first payment. For businesses that regularly send invoices, QuickBooks Payments offers a way to collect card payments while keeping transaction records connected to their books.