Not every payment happens at a table. Deposits for large bookings, advance payments for catering orders, event reservations — these transactions happen over WhatsApp, email, and phone calls. And too often, they end with "can you transfer to this bank account?" followed by days of back-and-forth.
What Is a Payment Link?
A payment link is exactly what it sounds like: a URL that, when opened, presents a branded payment page. The guest or client enters their card details, confirms the amount, and pays. Done.
No app download. No account creation. No bank transfer reconciliation. You generate the link, send it however you want, and get paid.
How Venues Use Payment Links
The flexibility is what makes this product powerful:
- Booking deposits: Send a link when confirming a reservation for a large party. The deposit is collected instantly, and no-shows become far less likely
- Catering prepayment: When a client orders catering for an event, send them a link for the full amount or a deposit
- Room charges: Hotels can send a link for incidentals or minibar charges after checkout
- Event tickets: Collecting payment for a wine dinner, a cooking class, or a private event? One link per attendee
- Outstanding balances: If a guest's card declined or they left without paying, a polite WhatsApp message with a payment link resolves it without confrontation
Why Not Just Use Bank Transfers?
Bank transfers work, but they create overhead:
- You have to manually reconcile every transfer against every booking
- International guests may face high fees or incompatible banking systems
- There's no instant confirmation — you're checking your account and hoping the reference matches
- It feels unprofessional compared to a branded payment experience
Payment links solve all of this. Every payment is tracked, timestamped, and tied to a specific booking or order in your dashboard.
Built for the Way the GCC Does Business
In the Gulf, WhatsApp is the primary business communication channel. Payment links are designed to be shared over WhatsApp, SMS, email, or any messaging platform. They render beautifully on mobile, which is how most recipients will open them.
Local's payment links support all major card networks and digital wallets used in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Funds settle directly to your merchant account.
Creating a Payment Link
It takes about 10 seconds. From the Local dashboard, enter the amount, add an optional description (e.g., "Deposit for Dec 15 dinner — 20 guests"), and hit generate. Copy the link. Send it. Get paid.
No technical setup. No integration required. If you can copy and paste a URL, you can use payment links.