# Send a Link, Get Paid: How Developers Can Build Payment Links with the Afriex API

What if your application could accept payments globally with just a link?

No complicated checkout flows.

No heavy integrations.

Just a simple URL.

That’s exactly what the [Afriex](/content/site-root.html) API makes possible.

Instead of building payment infrastructure from scratch, developers can use [Afriex](/content/site-root.html) to handle payment execution while their application manages the customer experience.

This guide explains how payment links work with the [Afriex](/content/site-root.html) API, and how developers can implement them securely.

## What Is a Payment Link in This Context?

A payment link is a unique URL generated by your application that allows a customer to complete a payment.

But here’s the key detail:

[Afriex](/content/site-root.html) provides the payment infrastructure, your application builds the payment link system.

That means:

- Your backend generates the payment request
- [Afriex](/content/site-root.html) processes the payment
- Your system confirms the transaction

This architecture keeps payments secure while giving developers full control over the user experience.

## How the Afriex Payment Link System Works

The process follows a simple architecture:

Client → Backend → Afriex API → Payment Rails

Here’s what happens behind the scenes:

1. Your backend stores a payment request
2. A unique payment link is generated
3. The customer opens the link
4. Afriex provides payment instructions
5. The payment is confirmed through webhooks

## Payment Methods Supported

Using the Afriex API, payment links can accept:

### Bank Transfer (Virtual Account)

Customers receive:

- Account number
- Account name
- Bank name

They complete the payment through a standard bank transfer.

### Crypto Payments

Customers can also pay using:

- USDC
- USDT

The system generates a wallet address and network details for the transaction.

If one asset is unavailable, the system can automatically fall back to another.

## What Developers Need Before Starting

To build payment links using the Afriex API, you’ll need:

- An [Afriex](/content/site-root.html) account
- An API key
- A customerId (recipient identifier)
- A secure backend server

Every payment request must be linked to a specific customerId to ensure accurate settlement and tracking.

## Key Security Requirements

Secure payment systems depend on proper implementation.

Developers should always:

- Keep API keys server-side
- Use HTTPS connections
- Generate secure, unguessable link tokens
- Set expiration times for links
- Verify payment webhooks

These safeguards protect both businesses and customers.

## Why Payment Links Matter for Developers

Payment links are one of the fastest ways to enable global payments inside an application.

This same pattern is used by major platforms like:

- Stripe
- Paystack
- Flutterwave

Instead of building payment infrastructure from scratch, developers can integrate [Afriex](/content/site-root.html) and focus on building their product.

## Real-World Use Cases

Payment links built with the [Afriex](/content/site-root.html) API can support:

- Marketplaces
- SaaS platforms
- E-commerce systems
- Subscription services
- Payment collection tools
- International payment platforms

Any application that needs to collect payments can use this model.

## Building Payment Links with the Afriex API

To implement payment links using [Afriex](/content/site-root.html):

1. Create a customer and get a customerId
2. Store a payment request in your database
3. Generate a secure payment link
4. Fetch payment instructions from Afriex
5. Confirm payment using webhooks

[Afriex](/content/site-root.html) handles the payment infrastructure.

Your application handles the experience.

## What do you do?

Ready to build global payments into your application?

Start integrating with the [Afriex](/content/site-root.html) API today and create secure payment links that let customers pay from anywhere in the world. If you want to know more about the technical aspects of this, click [here](https://dev.to/afriex/send-a-link-get-paid-building-payment-links-with-afriex-13ak) to check out our developer centered post.