How to start taking payments with Stripe

Stripe is a payment provider. It handles card security, receipts and refunds. A payment link is a page hosted by Stripe that you share by message, email or on your site.

The steps

1. 1

   Create your Stripe account

   Sign up on Stripe's site. You can try things in a test environment called a sandbox before you go live. To take real payments, you must finish the steps that follow.
   Stripe docs: Set up your account(opens the vendor's page in a new tab)
2. 2

   Verify your business

   In the dashboard, complete business verification. Stripe asks for details about your business, your product and your role in it, because the law requires it to know its customers. Your customers will see your business name and support details on receipts and statements.
   Stripe docs: Set up your account(opens the vendor's page in a new tab)
3. 3

   Turn on two-step sign-in

   In your user settings, turn on two-factor authentication. Stripe recommends a passkey or security key, which resist phishing, and says to use SMS only as a last resort.
   Stripe docs: Set up your account(opens the vendor's page in a new tab)
4. 4

   Create a payment link

   Open the Payment Links page and click "+New". Pick an existing product or click "+Add a new product", fill in the details and click "Add product", then click "Create link".
   Stripe docs: Create a payment link(opens the vendor's page in a new tab)
5. 5

   Share the link

   On the Payment Links page, click the copy icon next to your link and send it by email, text or social message. You can also create a QR code or an embeddable buy button from the same page.
   Stripe docs: Share a payment link(opens the vendor's page in a new tab)
6. 6

   Check which payment methods customers see

   Stripe shows the most relevant methods for each customer, including Apple Pay and Google Pay where available. You can switch methods on or off in the dashboard's payment methods settings.
   Stripe docs: Create a payment link(opens the vendor's page in a new tab)
7. 7

   Stop taking payments when you need to

   To stop a link working, open its overflow menu and choose "Deactivate". Customers can no longer buy through it, and the link can be reactivated later.
   Stripe docs: Share a payment link(opens the vendor's page in a new tab)