Creating a payment link in Arca
A payment link is a shareable checkout page you send to a customer so they can pay you online. This guide shows you how to create one, what each option does, and how to fix the most common problems — both when creating a link and when a customer's payment is declined.
What a payment link is
A payment link is a hosted checkout page with its own web address. You create the link in Arca, share it (by email, message, or button), and when your customer opens it they enter their details and pay. A successful payment creates an order and a receipt automatically.
How to create a payment link
In your Arca dashboard, open Payment Links and choose Create. You'll set the amount and any options below.
Set the price (required)
Every link needs a price. You can do this in one of two ways:
- A fixed amount — enter an amount and choose the currency. (If you enter an amount, a currency is required.)
- Product line items — add one or more products instead of a flat amount.
You can also allow the customer to choose what they pay (useful for donations or top-ups) by enabling the changeable-amount option.
Optional settings
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Expiry date | The link stops accepting payments after this date. |
| Description | Shown to the customer at checkout (up to 500 characters). |
| Statement descriptor | What appears on the customer's card statement (up to 22 characters). |
| Installments | Let customers split the payment. Credit card only. |
| Collect billing / shipping address, phone | Ask the customer for these details at checkout. |
| Promotion / coupon codes | Allow a discount code to be applied. |
| Redirect URL | Send the customer to your own page after they pay (must be a valid web address). |
| Custom confirmation message & button | Personalize the "thank you" screen after payment. |
| Generate invoice | Automatically create an invoice for the payment. |
When you're done, save the link. It's active immediately and ready to share.
How your customer pays
When a customer opens the link they enter their email (required), any details you asked for, and their payment information. Card details are securely tokenized at the moment of entry — Arca never stores raw card numbers. Depending on your configuration and the customer's region, available methods may include credit card, bank transfer (ACH), and others.
Problems creating a payment link
"You must set a price or add at least one item"
-
Cause
A link was saved with neither a fixed amount nor any product line items.
SolutionEnter a fixed amount (and currency), or add at least one product before saving.
The amount or currency is rejected
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Cause
An amount was entered without selecting a currency, or a negative amount was used on a customer-changeable link.
SolutionSelect a currency whenever you set an amount, and make sure the amount is zero or greater.
"Installments are only available for credit card"
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Cause
More than one installment was set while a non-credit-card method was allowed on the link.
SolutionEither restrict the link to credit card only, or set installments back to 1.
You're signed out / the page won't save
-
Cause
Your session expired while you were working.
SolutionSign in again, then recreate the link. See sign-in troubleshooting if you have trouble logging back in.
Problems when a customer's payment is declined
These are the messages your customer sees at checkout, and what they mean.
"Transaction not authorized, contact your card administrator"
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Cause
The customer's bank declined the charge — typically insufficient funds, a fraud hold, or a card that doesn't support the purchase.
SolutionThe customer should try a different card or contact their bank. This is a decision made by their bank, not by Arca.
"Wrong data provided"
-
Cause
The card number, security code (CVV), or billing ZIP/address didn't match.
SolutionThe customer should re-enter their card details carefully, making sure the CVV and billing ZIP match the card on file with their bank.
"Your card has expired. Please use a different one."
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Cause
The card's expiration date has passed.
SolutionThe customer should pay with a current, non-expired card.
The link is no longer active
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Cause
The link has passed its expiry date or was deactivated.
SolutionReactivate the link from your dashboard, or create a new one and re-share it.
"This payment method isn't available in your region"
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Cause
No payment method is configured for the customer's billing country.
SolutionMake sure a payment method is enabled for that country, or ask the customer to use a supported method.
"Please try again in a few moments" / too many attempts
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Cause
Either too many payment attempts were made in a short window (a security limit), or the card processor is temporarily unavailable.
SolutionWait a short while and try again. If it persists, contact Arca support.
Error message reference
| What the customer sees | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction not authorized, contact your card administrator | Bank declined the charge | Use a different card / contact the bank |
| Wrong data provided | Card number, CVV, or billing address mismatch | Re-enter card details; check CVV and ZIP |
| Your card has expired. Please use a different one. | Expired card | Use a current card |
| Could not find the payment method. Request new attempt | Saved payment method couldn't be used | Re-enter the card and retry |
| Circuit Breaker for this gateway is open. Please try again in a few moments | Processor temporarily unavailable | Wait and retry; contact support if it persists |
| This payment link is no longer active | Link expired or deactivated | Reactivate or create a new link |
Still having trouble?
Contact Arca support and include:
- The payment link address or ID
- The exact error message (a screenshot helps)
- The approximate time of the attempt and the last 4 digits of the card, if it's a declined payment