Accepting payments on social networks: main methods

In the age of social networks, small businesses are increasingly selling goods and services directly through online platforms, bypassing traditional online stores. Not every entrepreneur needs their own website to accept payments, especially when it comes to small businesses. Instead, you can utilize social networks and instant messengers as a sales channel, offering customers convenient ways to pay for purchases directly within chats and applications. Let's take a look at the main ways to accept payments on social networks, their features and how to set up such payment acceptance in Kazakhstan.

Payment links

A payment link is a special URL that directs the buyer to the payment page, allowing them to make a payment via the link without leaving the social network. Such links simplify the payment process and increase the likelihood that the customer will complete the purchase, as the payment occurs instantly without requiring a visit to third-party sites. For the seller, this means more opportunities to promote products or services and receive payments even without their own website.

Payment links are beneficial for both buyers and sellers. They serve as a kind of balance of interests: it is convenient for buyers to pay directly through a messenger or social network, and the seller receives money online without incurring the expense of integration. All you need to do is register with the payment service and create a payment link; then, you can send it to the customer in a private message or post it. After clicking on the link, the client selects a payment method (bank card, e-wallet or cryptocurrency), enters the necessary data and confirms the transfer. Thus, payment via a link enables you to accept payments from social networks and messengers in a manner convenient for the client, ensuring the security and speed of the transaction.

Payment links make life much easier for entrepreneurs. For example, services like Freedom Pay or Ioka allow Kazakhstani companies to generate payment links and accept payments from Visa/Mastercard, mobile wallets and other methods. As a result, payment via a link becomes a universal solution: it can be sent via Telegram, WhatsApp, email, or even SMS, and the client can pay in just a couple of clicks. The many advantages of such links - from convenience for the client to high conversion - make this method of accepting payment one of the most popular.

Telegram bot

Telegram is not only a messaging app for communication, but also a powerful platform for business. Payment acceptance in Telegram is implemented through bots and special APIs that allow for the integration of payment systems. Essentially, the seller sets up a Telegram bot that automates the sale, helping the buyer choose a product, sending an invoice or a link to the payment page, and even offering different payment methods. As a result, the entire purchase takes place within the familiar Telegram interface, which is very convenient for the user.

The advantages of this method directly depend on the quality of the bot settings and the selected payment service. A properly configured Telegram bot for accepting payments takes on a significant part of the process: from consulting the customer on the product to issuing a payment link for instant payment. The buyer does not need to visit third-party websites; the payment is processed through a secure payment gateway integrated into the bot. Many payment platforms (for example, CryptoCloud) offer ready-made solutions and APIs for accepting payments via Telegram bots, which simplifies implementation.

Telegram is particularly relevant for Kazakhstan, as it is widely used and often serves as an alternative to individual websites. By creating your own bot or using a ready-made one, an entrepreneur can accept payments in tenge by connecting local services. Thus, accepting payments in Telegram is a modern and automated way to monetize an audience directly in the messenger, with minimal effort on the part of the buyer.

Payment to a bank account

A bank account is a traditional way to receive money from a client. The buyer is provided with details (IBAN, BIC, etc.), which they use to independently transfer the amount through a banking application or at a cash desk. The advantage of this method for the seller is that no payment systems need to be connected - the money goes directly to the bank account.

However, payment by details is inconvenient for the buyer and takes more time. You need to manually enter the account details, the amount, and wait for confirmation, which complicates the process. In social networks, where instantaneousness is valued, this option is not very suitable. Additionally, with a large number of transfers, it becomes difficult for the seller to manage payments manually. For a business with a significant flow of orders, accepting payment only to a bank account is not suitable - the burden on operational accounting and the risk of errors are too great.

In Kazakhstan, a transfer to a bank account is usually used for non-cash payments between organizations or for large transactions. In the context of sales through social networks, this method is rare due to its complexity for the average client. Nevertheless, it remains one of the primary methods of accepting payment, especially when the buyer does not have a card or prefers to pay directly from their bank account. However, to avoid losing the client at the payment stage, entrepreneurs in social networks should consider the more convenient options described below.

Transfer to an e-wallet

Many individuals accept payments to personal e-wallets, such as Qiwi, WebMoney and similar ones. In essence, such a transfer to an e-wallet works similarly to a transfer to a card or account: the buyer is given the wallet's account number to which the money needs to be sent. For the self-employed and citizens, this is an acceptable method, and they usually do not have strict restrictions on the transfer amounts.

The advantage is relative simplicity: all you need is a registered e-wallet, and you simply provide its details to the customer. The fees for such transfers are low, and the money is credited immediately. However, a significant disadvantage is the restrictions on business. Individual entrepreneurs and companies cannot officially accept payments to a personal e-wallet. Legislation (both Kazakhstan and other CIS countries) requires that settlements with legal entities be made through bank accounts or official payment systems.

In addition, some of the audience do not have the necessary e-wallets or experience working with them. For example, if a seller requests payment via WebMoney and the customer does not have a WebMoney wallet, the purchase may fail. Therefore, accepting payments in e-money remains a niche method, used mainly by freelancers or for small online transactions between individuals. For a wide audience of social networks, this method is not the most universal.

Transfer to a card

The most common method at the household level is a transfer to a bank card. The customer only needs to know the seller's card number (or linked phone number) and send money via the bank's mobile application. In Kazakhstan, where almost everyone has a bank card (for example, Kaspi Gold), this payment option is very popular among small sellers on Instagram. It is faster than transferring by account details: the operation takes only a few seconds.

However, this method has its pitfalls. Firstly, the trust of buyers: only a few will agree to transfer money to a stranger's personal card without guarantees of goods delivery. According to experts, only about 5% of online buyers are willing to pay for a purchase by direct transfer to an unfamiliar seller's card. Most will prefer safer methods or payment upon receipt. Secondly, there is a risk for the seller: if he runs a business as an individual entrepreneur or a company, regularly accepting payments to a personal card may interest the bank and tax authorities. In Kazakhstan, it is recommended to separate business payments from personal ones.

Thus, transferring to a card is suitable only for beginner sellers or one-time transactions. It is easy to set up (no additional requirements beyond a card), and there is no commission from payment aggregators. But as the volumes grow, it is better to switch to more civilized methods - connect to the Internet, acquire and use payment links or official services. This will protect both the seller and the customer.

Transfer to a crypto wallet

With the development of digital currencies, some entrepreneurs began to accept payments in cryptocurrency. The easiest way is to provide the buyer with a crypto wallet address and receive a transfer in Bitcoin, USDT, Ethereum, etc. Accepting payments in cryptocurrency is attractive due to the lack of geographical boundaries and low fees: a customer from anywhere in the world can send the required amount, and the network commission is often lower than the bank's. In addition, crypto payments are not affected by restrictions on types of business - the transaction will take place regardless of the seller's status.

It is important to note that cryptocurrency is not yet a means of payment in Kazakhstan, but it is great for payments abroad. For this, it is best to use licensed exchanges. One of the largest Kazakhstani crypto exchanges, which operates under the auspices of the AIFC, is ATAIX Eurasia.

However, direct transfer to a crypto wallet also has significant disadvantages. Firstly, volatility: the cryptocurrency rate is unstable. The price of the received bitcoin can change significantly in a day, which carries risks for the seller. Secondly, conversion: the entrepreneur will have to independently exchange the received cryptocurrency for tenge or dollars in order to use the proceeds. This adds a step and requires understanding the work of exchangers or stock exchanges.

Another point is that not all clients are ready or able to pay with crypto. This method is more suited to an advanced audience or international buyers. Nevertheless, the trend is clear: accepting crypto payments is gaining popularity and may become more widespread in the years to come. There are already payment gateways (CryptoCloud, Cryptomus, etc.) that simplify the acceptance of cryptocurrency for businesses, including conversion to fiat. If the seller decides to use cryptocurrencies, it is important to take care of the wallet security and choose a well-known, reliable crypto service.

Payment via mobile operator (DCB)

Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) is another modern way to pay for purchases. With this method, the customer can pay for the goods using funds from their mobile phone: the purchase amount is added to the phone bill (for postpaid subscribers) or deducted from the balance (for prepaid numbers). The buyer does not need a bank card or e-wallet - it is enough to have a mobile number with a positive balance with an operator that supports DCB. As a result, the transaction takes place literally with one click of a button on the phone, without entering the details, which simplifies the process and increases the likelihood of successful payment. At the same time, Direct Carrier Billing is considered a fairly secure method: the customer does not need to share confidential bank data, and the payment is processed by their mobile operator.

However, DCB has its limitations. Mobile operators typically set limits on both the transaction amount and the number of payments per day. Additionally, not all sellers and platforms support direct carrier billing; therefore, this method is primarily used for digital services and content. The operator's commission for such payments is usually higher compared to acquiring bank cards, which makes DCB less profitable for the seller when selling physical goods. There is also no chargeback mechanism if something goes wrong, and it is impossible to use the technology where there is no network coverage or the client does not have a mobile payment service connected.

In Kazakhstan, DCB is a rapidly growing method. The largest mobile operators already allow the cost of digital purchases to be written off from the phone balance. This method is especially useful for reaching an audience that may not have a bank card (for example, young people or certain categories of the population), as well as for monetizing inexpensive services, subscriptions and donations. To connect payment acceptance through an operator, it is usually necessary to cooperate with a payment provider that has agreements with telecom companies. Integrating DCB as one of the payment options can give a business a competitive advantage, increasing conversion due to the ease of payment for the customer.

Payment by QR code

Payment by QR code is a method in which the seller provides a special QR code, and the buyer scans it with a smartphone camera through a banking app to make a payment. The QR code can contain all the necessary payment data (account number or payment links), so the buyer does not need to enter anything manually; it is enough to just scan the code and confirm the payment on their app. This method is convenient for both the buyer and the seller: it does not require a POS terminal or complex integration, and payment is fast and contactless. In addition, the commission for such payments is usually lower than standard Internet acquiring rates (on average, 0-1.5% of the amount), which is beneficial for businesses.

To start accepting payments by QR code, a business usually needs to connect this service to its bank or through a payment provider. In Kazakhstan, not all banks support QR acquiring yet, but this function is becoming more and more common. At the moment, QR code payment acceptance is available, for example, in Kaspi Bank, Sberbank and Halyk Bank, and it is expected that the list will expand in the near future.

Once connected, the seller can generate QR codes and accept payments. There are static and dynamic QR codes for payment. A static QR is coded once and contains the seller's unchangeable details (for example, an account number) - such a code is convenient to print or send as an image, and the client enters the amount manually when scanning. A dynamic QR is generated anew for each transaction and already includes the amount and purpose of payment - this is convenient for automation, since the buyer only needs to confirm the payment without entering any data. For small businesses with a small average check, a static QR code is often enough, and stores with a large assortment of goods and online payments prefer a dynamic QR for each order. In any case, payment by QR code is a modern and fast method that is increasingly used both offline and online, particularly through social networks.

Payment on social media for buyers and sellers

The payment process may differ depending on the specific social network or messenger. Let's examine what payment on social networks looks like from the buyer's and seller's perspectives, using popular platforms as an example.

Payment on Facebook and Instagram

For the buyer, purchasing via Facebook/Instagram typically occurs in one of two ways: in the feed or through the store account. They see a product with a price and a "Buy" (or "Place an order") button. By clicking this button, the user opens the checkout window with a description of the product and a "Pay" button. When clicking "Pay", the buyer is redirected to the payment system page, where they enter their card details or select another available payment method. The payment is made online, and the client returns to browsing the social network.

For the seller, the process begins with setting up a store on Facebook or an Instagram catalog. The seller can post products with prices directly on the page. When the client makes a purchase through the built-in interface, the seller receives a notification about the new transaction and can track its status through the connected payment gateway. For example, in Facebook Shop, the seller sees the order in their account, and the money is transferred to them through the selected acquiring system (minus the social network commission, if applicable). Instagram shopping is popular in Kazakhstan, although direct Instagram acquiring has not yet been officially launched. More often, businesses integrate an external payment service: for example, they place a payment link to an online payment service in a profile or post. But the principle for the client remains the same - a minimum of a couple of actions to pay for the goods without leaving the app.

Payment via messengers

In messengers (such as Telegram and WhatsApp), the sales process appears differently. The buyer views the seller's offers in chats: these can be text messages, product photos, or even special bot showcases in Telegram. If interested, the client writes to the seller or clicks the bot buttons, after which they receive a payment link or an invoice for payment directly in the chat. Then the buyer follows the link and pays in a convenient way, without leaving the messenger. Telegram's built-in payment system allows you to pay within the application, and WhatsApp usually opens a payment web page. In any case, the buyer does not need to look for the details themselves - everything is completed in a few clicks.

For the seller, messengers serve as a direct channel of communication with the client. The entrepreneur consults, answers questions, and when the client is ready to buy, sends them a payment order (a link or an invoice with the specified amount). After a successful online payment, the seller receives an immediate payment notification and can begin fulfilling the order. A significant advantage of payment via messengers is the opportunity for personal contact with the buyer and the ability to address any concerns, thereby alleviating doubts. Therefore, many Kazakhstani sellers on Instagram transfer the dialogue to WhatsApp/Telegram, where they send a link to payment. This achieves both a high level of trust and automates the payment process.

Payment on Twitter

Twitter does not provide direct payment functions on its platform. Therefore, a buyer on Twitter can only click on the link that the seller posted in the tweet and go to an external resource for payment. Most often, this is a link to a website or to the product payment page. The rest of the process is the same as for a regular online purchase: the card details are entered on the page that opens, and the payment is confirmed.

For the seller, Twitter serves more as an advertising showcase and a channel for attracting customers than a place for transactions. Nevertheless, the social network provides a convenient way to promote goods or services and direct interested users to the purchase page. The main thing is to have a reliable external solution for accepting payments, as there is no built-in payment tool on Twitter itself. For example, this can be the same payment link or order page on the company's website. In any case, the seller must ensure the security of the client's data and the stability of the payment solution to maintain the trust of the Twitter audience.

How to create a link for card payment

Many entrepreneurs wonder how to create a payment link for card payments and start accepting online payments. In fact, creating a payment link is quite simple - there are special Internet acquiring and online payment services for this. In Kazakhstan, you can use the services of banks (Halyk, Kaspi, etc. provide payment solutions) or independent payment providers. The general algorithm for creating a link is as follows:

1. Choose a payment platform. First, you need to register with the service that generates payment links. It is important that it works with Kazakhstani cards and supports the tenge. For example, you can use Freedom Pay, a reliable service for accepting online payments.

2. Set up an account. After registration, fill in the necessary information about yourself or your company and connect the method of receiving funds (checking account or card). Usually, you need to confirm the information and set up security (two-factor authentication, etc.).

3. Generate a payment request. In your personal account, create a new account (invoice) or payment link. Specify the amount, currency (for example, KZT), payment purpose and, if necessary, a description of the product or service. You can create links either with a fixed amount or leave a field for the client to enter the amount themselves - this depends on the functionality of the platform.

4. Receive and send a link. The system will generate a unique URL to the payment page. This link can be copied and sent to the buyer in any way: via a message on a social network, by email, or via SMS. Also, some services immediately offer a QR code associated with the payment link - it is convenient to use it offline or in social network posts.

5. Monitor the payment. After the client follows the link and pays, you will receive a notification (via email, in your personal account, or through a Telegram bot, depending on the service). In their account, the seller can track the payment status and, if necessary, receive a transaction report. If the payment fails, the link can usually be resent, or its validity period can be extended.

Following these instructions, any user can create a link for card payment. Such links ensure payment security (card data is entered on a secure page of the bank or payment provider) and convenience for the client. There is no need to manually transfer money - just click on the received link and make the payment in the usual way. For Kazakhstani businesses, this is especially relevant, given the growing share of online payments and the popularity of social networks in commerce.

Conclusion

Accepting payments via social networks and instant messengers opens up new opportunities for businesses in Kazakhstan to interact with customers. There are many ways to organize payments without a website - from a simple transfer to a card to integrating a payment bot into Telegram. Each method has its pros and cons. Initially, you can manage with basic solutions (such as a personal card and transferring funds to an account), but these are associated with trust risks and inconvenience for customers. As sales grow, it is better to connect more advanced tools such as payment links, official payment services within social networks or reliable payment systems like Freedom Pay and others.

It is essential to consider both security and legality. Choose proven payment solutions and comply with the requirements (for example, the use of online cash registers for fiscalization in Kazakhstan, concluding an acquiring agreement, etc.). This will help prevent problems with blocking and provide customers with additional guarantees. Ultimately, the goal is to make the payment process as simple and understandable as possible for the client. Convenience for customers directly affects conversion: the less effort it takes to pay, the more often the transaction will be successfully completed. By offering their customers modern payment methods on social networks, entrepreneurs can increase audience loyalty and stimulate sales, while remaining competitive in the digital age.

Thus, accepting payments on social networks is a reality of today, and competent use of available tools allows you to conduct business effectively, meeting the expectations of a modern buyer. The main thing is to choose the appropriate method or combination of methods, taking into account the specifics of your business, and then social networks will become not only a platform for marketing but also a full-fledged sales channel for you.

PayGate is your trusted partner for accepting online payments in Kazakhstan. We help businesses organize convenient and secure payments in social networks and instant messengers through a range of convenient tools. Regardless of the scale of your project - from a home store on Instagram to an online school in Telegram - we will select the best solution.

Contact us to connect payment acceptance without a website, automate processes and accept payments from customers today.