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Payments

How to use instant payments in your business.
Navdeep Yadav
By and 2 others
• 19 articles

How to use Atoa for payments

How Atoa payments help your business Atoa lets customers pay your business directly from their UK bank app. It's fast, secure, and much cheaper than accepting card payments. How customers pay you using Atoa Scan a QR code from your device or stand - Customers scan the Atoa QR stand or code on their device with their smartphone and are redirected to their bank app. - They confirm the payment with a quick face or fingerprint scan. - Your business receives money from the customer's payment, instantly. https://www.loom.com/share/0d16494ee5144295988291331c88be8c?sid=74e60d47-2a04-4599-80b3-43b4ffc0d89a - Click a payment link or invoice - Send the customer a secure payment link by text, WhatsApp, email or on an invoice. - The customer taps the link which opens the payment in their browser. - They're redirected to their bank app to confirm payment with a face or fingerprint scan. - Your business gets paid within seconds. Why choose Atoa over a bank transfer Atoa processes payments in seconds from your customer’s UK bank app, which can dramatically improve your business cash flow. If you’ve ever had customers send money to the wrong bank account, you’ll know how stressful it is. Atoa uses open banking powered account-to-account payments, so your money always reaches the correct account. No more waiting around or chasing finance for payment statuses, as Atoa sends you a real-time notification whenever customers pay. Most of all, accepting payments on Atoa is easy and convenient. Forget filling out complicated forms or triple-checking account details. Customers can pay securely with just a tap of a link or a scan of a QR code. Plus, it’s GDPR-compliant, with no sensitive data to store. Oh, and did we mention you’ll save up to 60% on card processing fees?

Last updated on Jan 03, 2025

How QR code receipt payments work

What is a QR code receipt? A QR code receipt is an easy way for bars or restaurants to accept payments from customers when you hand them the bill. Your guests scan to pay quickly without waiting for a member of staff to bring the card machine, which can save your business valuable time and resources. How do I use QR code receipts on Atoa? 1. Connect Atoa with your point of sale system. Scroll down the pricing page to see which POS providers we work with. All of our integrations are straightforward and only take a few minutes to complete. 2. When you accept a payment in your POS, choose Atoa and print the QR on your customer’s receipt. 3. Let them scan the QR code with their smartphone. A payment will start in their phone browser, which asks them to choose their bank app. 4. They are redirected to their bank app to complete the payment with a face or fingerprint scan. 5. The payment is instant, so your business gets funds right away. Plus, the transaction is cashed off on your POS. How does this help my business? Beyond saving you money with lower fees and faster payouts, QR code receipts can also improve service, give customers the option to pay and leave as soon as they’re eaten and help you reduce costs on front-of-house staff. 💡 If you can’t see your POS provider on our integrations page then contact us at hello@paywithatoa.co.uk and let us know who you use. We’ll try our best to make it happen!

Last updated on Sep 05, 2024

How payment links work

What are payment links? SMS payment links are shareable links that let customers make payments from their devices. They make remote payments more manageable for businesses and offer convenience to customers. Why are payment links good for my business? Atoa payment links help your business get paid faster! Funds arrive as soon as your customer pays the link. You can track paid or unpaid links at a glance. How do I send a payment link using Atoa? - Log into the Atoa Business Dashboard or Atoa Business app. - Go to the "Links" icon. - Click "New Link" or "Create payment link." - Enter the amount, phone number, and email address. You can also add an optional note (for example, what the payment is for, the customer’s name, or a reference number). Click Create and send payment link. - The link will be sent to your customer via SMS and/or email. You can also share it through other channels like social media or messaging apps. - You can set a reminder so customers receive a prompt to pay you on time. Can I add notes to my payment links? Yes, you can. When you create a payment link, there's a space to add notes below the transaction amount, which customers will see when they make the payment. How can I view the notes after the payment is made? Once the payment is successful, you can view the notes by going to the transaction page and selecting the payment details. 💡 Adding notes to your payment links is a great way to manage and reference your transactions. FAQs How can I see if my links have been paid? To see their status, you can toggle between "paid" and "unpaid" links. You will also receive a notification when payment has been received. Can I send payment reminders to customers? You can send polite payment reminders to customers using the Atoa Business app or dashboard to ensure you don't have any overdue payments. Is the payment reminder feature available on the Basic plan? You can access this feature by upgrading to our Advanced Add-on. Find out about the other features you can unlock with this plan on our pricing page.

Last updated on Oct 07, 2025

How Atoa in-store QR code payments work

Scan, pay, go. It's that simple with Atoa's in-store QR codes. Upgrade your in-store experience, make your customers happy, and boost your bottom line with instant contactless payments. It's easier than cash and cheaper than cards. Why are Atoa in-store QR code payments good for business? - Payments are instant to keep those queues moving and the cash flowing. - Keep more of your hard-earned money with our low fees. - See your QR code transaction history in your Atoa dashboard or app. - Give your customer an easy payment experience without cash, card, or bank transfers. How to accept Atoa QR code payments in-store 1. Sign up: Create an account on the Atoa Business app or dashboard and get verified. 2. Display: Order your QR code and display it at the counter, on tables, or even on your products. 3. Customers open their phone camera and point it at the code. The Atoa payment page appears, pre-filled with the amount. They're taken to their bank app to confirm the payment with a face or fingerprint scan. 4. You get paid instantly with much lower fees than cards. How to order a new or replacement QR stand Need a new QR stand? It's on us. Read on to find out how to get your hands on one. How can I get a new QR stand? Order one for free right in the Atoa Business app or dashboard by following the steps below. 1. Go to 'My Account'. 2. Select 'QR Code settings'. 3. Tap 'Order Now' and it's yours without charge. We'll send your new QR stand straight to your business address. Can't order through the app? Email us at hello@paywithatoa.co.uk with your: - Business name - Shipping address - Registered email address Keep taking payments: While you wait for your new stand, you can still use the Atoa Business app or send payment links to your customers.

Last updated on Jul 15, 2025

How to enable API access

Ready to start accepting payments on your platform? You can easily enable your API access through your Atoa business app or dashboard. Let’s get started! 1. Go to Settings Head over to the Settings page in your Atoa account and select API Access. 2. Choose Your Environment You’ll see two toggle buttons: Sandbox and Production. - Sandbox is your testing ground. Use this to check how your payment process works and make sure that your payments are going to the right account. - Production is for when you’re ready to go live and start accepting payments from your clients. 3. Share Your URL When you toggle either Sandbox or Production, you’ll need to enter a URL. This is where your clients will be redirected after they make their payments. Note: When you paste or type out your URL, don't forget to include http:// or https:// in the beginning. 4. Access Secret Key Your Access Secret key will be hidden. You can either ‘Copy’ or ‘Share’ this key, but remember, Atoa doesn’t store this information. Keep it safe and don’t share it with anyone you don’t trust. 5. Finish Up Click on ‘Close,’ and it’s done! You’ve successfully enabled your API access. FAQs What if I lose my Access Secret Key? Don’t worry! If you lose it, you won’t be able to retrieve it, but you can generate a new one. Just click the icon next to the Access Secret and hit 'Revoke' to confirm. How do I disable Sandbox or Production API? Simply click the toggle button and select 'Disable' to confirm. This will invalidate your Access Secret key, and you’ll need to follow the steps mentioned above to enable your API access again. Are the processes different for Sandbox and Production? Nope! The steps are the same for both.

Last updated on Nov 18, 2024

How to link and manage in-store QR codes

Whether you’re running one shop or many, it’s easy to link the physical QR codes to your Atoa business account or active integration. Why should I link my QR code to Atoa? If you want to start accepting payments through your QR code, linking it to your Atoa account is the first step. Without this step, your QR code won’t be able to process payments. Linking your QR code with Atoa is essential for unlocking its full potential. When you connect it, you can tie your QR code to your preferred locations—perfect if you have multiple stores—and link it directly to your bank account. Once that’s done, your customers can simply scan, pay, and go—making their experience quick and hassle-free! Let’s show you how to set it up. How do I link the in-store QR code to Atoa? Once you order in-store QR code, linking it to Atoa is super simple—just use your Dashboard or the Atoa business app! On the Dashboard 1. Head over to ‘Settings’ and select the ‘Manage QRs’ tab 2. Click the ‘Link QR code’ button 3. Choose a store (select the location if you have multiple) 4. Enter the QR reference number (you’ll find it at the bottom right of your QR stand) 5. Give it a nickname and hit ‘Link QR code’ On the Atoa business app 1. Tap the ‘Menu’ button 2. Go to ‘QR code settings' 3. Select the ‘Link QR code’ button 4. Scan the QR code to connect it to your Atoa account 5. Choose a store (select the location if you have multiple) 6. Give it a nickname and hit ‘Finish linking’ Once linked, you’ll be able to see the funds collected from customers in the 'Payments' section for each location. This makes it easy to keep track of all transactions made through your physical QR code. How do I link my in-store QR code with my active POS integration? To link your QR code to your active POS integration, just follow the steps above and check the box that says ‘Link this QR with your POS’ for your preferred location. FAQs How do I modify my QR code’s nickname? Modifying your QR code’s nickname is simple. 1. Just tap on any QR code in the Atoa business app or click the modify icon on the dashboard. 2. A pop-up will appear where you can change the nickname of the QR. 3. Once you’re happy with it, just hit ‘Save changes’—and you’re done! How do I unlink my QR code integration? 1. Tap on any QR code in the Atoa business app or click the modify icon on the dashboard. 2. Select the ‘Unlink from {pointOne}’ button. 3. Click ‘Unlink’ to confirm and it’s done. Remember that once you unlink the QR code from your POS integration, it will become a standalone QR stand. But don’t worry—you can relink it anytime in the future if you need to. How do I delete a QR code from my Atoa account? To delete a QR code, just tap on any QR code in the Atoa business app or click the modify icon on the dashboard. Click the ‘Delete’ button. Just a heads-up: once you do this, you won’t be able to accept payments with that QR code anymore

Last updated on Nov 19, 2024

What are Payment Pages?

Payment Pages let you accept and manage payments from multiple customers, all in one place. You can collect customer details, share a single link or QR code, and track every payment in real time. Why is this feature useful for my business? Payment Pages make it easy to collect the information you need from each customer, whether it’s their name, email, or phone number. Instead of sending separate links for each payment, you can create one reusable link or QR code and share it with multiple people. Every payment made through the page is tracked in real time, so you always have full visibility over what’s coming in. It’s a simple way to streamline how you collect and manage payments. Is this feature available on the Basic plan? You can access this feature by upgrading to our Advanced Add-on. Find out about the other features you can unlock with this plan on our pricing page. How do I access Payment Pages? - Click on the ‘Payment Pages’ tab in the left-hand menu - Select ‘Set up Payment Pages’ You’ll then be redirected to the below page, where you can customise the page. How to create a Payment page? - Click on ‘New page’ - Enter the amount and give your page a unique title. Add a description for clarity Advanced options: - Customer info to collect: Tick the checkboxes to collect name, email, or phone number. - Custom fields: Need specific info? Tick ‘Add custom fields’ to let customers type answers or choose from dropdown options you provide. - Once everything looks good, click ‘Save and publish’ to start accepting payments. How to make a Payment Page live or disable it? Each page has a toggle button labelled ‘Live’ - Turn it on to start collecting payments - Turn it off to disable the page anytime

Last updated on Aug 05, 2025

Why am I not receiving payment notifications?

If you’re not getting payment notifications from Atoa, don’t worry, you can follow these steps to fix it. If you’re using Google Chrome - Click the Manage icon (or site information icon) next to the website address in Chrome. - Click Reset permissions. - If you don’t see this option, click Site settings. - Click on Reset permissions. - Go back to Atoa and you’ll see a flash message on the Payments page asking if you want to enable notifications. - Click Enable notifications to turn them on again. When your browser shows a banner asking for permission, click Allow. After this, you should start receiving browser notifications from Atoa. If you’re using Microsoft Edge Option 1: Manage notifications directly from the address bar - Click the View site information icon (next to the address bar). - Select Permissions for this site - Under Notifications, select Allow from the dropdown menu. - Go back to Atoa and simply refresh the page. Option 2: Remove or block notifications in Edge settings - Click Settings and more (⋯) in the top-right corner of your browser window. - Select Settings. - In the left menu, click Privacy, search, and services. - Click Site permissions. - Select All sites. Choose Atoa from the list of sites. - Under Notifications, select Allow from the dropdown menu. - Go back to Atoa and refresh the page. Once you’ve completed these steps, your Atoa notifications should start working again. If you’re using Safari - In the menu bar, go to Safari → Settings. - Click the Websites tab and select Notifications from the sidebar. - Find Atoa in the list and change its status to Allow. - Go back to Atoa and refresh the page. After this, Safari will allow payment notifications from Atoa. FAQ: Why is my payment status not updating? If a payment has already gone through but still shows as “To be paid” on your web dashboard, your browser may not be auto-refreshing the page. You can manually refresh the page using one of the methods below: - Google Chrome: Press Ctrl + F5 (Windows) or Cmd + R (Mac). - Microsoft Edge: Press Ctrl + F5 (Windows) or Cmd + R (Mac). - Safari: Press Cmd + R (Mac). - Firefox: Press Cmd + R (Mac). You can also click the refresh button at the top-right corner of your screen (see image below) to update your page. Once refreshed, you’ll see a green tick confirming that the payment is successful.

Last updated on Nov 18, 2025

Do you support MOTO payments?

No. Atoa does not support Mail Order or Telephone Order (MOTO) card payments. What is a MOTO payment? A MOTO payment is a card-not-present transaction where a merchant manually enters a customer’s card details on their behalf. This usually happens when a customer shares their card number, expiry date, and CVV verbally over the phone or via email, and the merchant types those details into a payment system to complete the transaction. Because the customer is not completing the payment themselves, there is no PIN, biometric check, banking app approval, or real-time customer authentication involved. Why doesn’t Atoa support MOTO payments? MOTO payments carry a higher level of risk because the merchant enters card details on behalf of the customer, rather than the customer authorising the payment directly with their bank. As a result, MOTO payments are more exposed to: - Fraud, as there is no PIN, biometric check, or banking app verification - Chargebacks, where the merchant is fully liable if a customer disputes the payment - Data handling risks, as card details must be stored or entered manually - Higher processing fees, due to the elevated risk profile Over time, these risks can lead to lost revenue, penalties, and operational strain for merchants. What should I use instead of MOTO? Instead of manually entering card details, Atoa recommends using secure payment links, sent by SMS or email. These links allow customers to complete payments themselves, either by: - Pay by Bank, or - Card payment via secure payment link In both cases, the merchant never enters or handles card details. How do secure payment links work? When a customer opens a payment link: - The payment is completed by the customer, not the merchant - The customer may receive an SMS or push notification from their bank - They may be asked to enter a one-time password (OTP) or tap “Approve” in their banking app - This authentication step is performed by the customer’s bank to protect against fraud Because the payment is authorised directly by the customer with their bank, this provides stronger proof of consent and significantly reduces fraud and chargeback risk. Funds are confirmed in real time, and no sensitive card details are shared, stored, or handled by your team. Do you still support card payments? Yes. Atoa continues to support card payments and Pay by Bank payments across the platform. For remote payments, we recommend using secure payment links wherever possible, as they allow customers to authenticate payments directly with their bank and remove the need for merchants to enter card details manually.

Last updated on Jan 30, 2026