How to collect payment for CollegePlannerPro invoices through PayPal

Please note: CollegePlannerPro is not affiliated with PayPal. There are many options when it comes to accepting payment for your professional services. This article simply intends to educate our members on one such way payments can be accepted through CollegePlannerPro invoices. 

1. Create a business account at https://www.paypal.com/ if you do not already have one.
2. Once your account is approved and you can begin accepting payments, click the "Pay and Get Paid" tab, then click "Pay Links and Buttons".
3. Select "Payment Link & QR Code" and fill out the information as prompted (see below).
   • Make sure you select type: "Customer defined" so that customers can input the amount they'd like to pay. 
   • You may want to display your business name as the Product/Service so that it is displayed on the payment page.
   • Add a label for the amount field so it's clear that customers should input an amount.
   • Check "Do not collect customer shipping address".
   • If desired, add "Invoice number" as the label for invoice ID so that customers are prompted to add their invoice number at the time of payment - making it easier for you to match payments with invoices later.
   • Click "Build It" in the upper right-hand corner.

4. Once your payments page is built, under "Choose your type of Pay Links and Buttons", select either:
   • Payment link: This option will generate a URL that you can copy paste in your CollegePlannerPro invoice terms. When customers click the link, they'll be directed to your Paypal payments page where they can remit payment for their invoice. 
   • Single button: This option will generate some HTML code that you can copy and paste into your CollegePlannerPro invoice terms. Instead of a URL, customers will see a "Buy Now" button with the PayPal logo; clicking this button will direct them to your Paypal payments page where they can remit payment for their invoice. If desired, basic HTML edits will allow you to customize the look and feel of this button. 
     
     
     
     
5. Add your link or HTML code in your CollegePlannerPro invoice(s), in the "Terms" section. You can edit the Terms on individual invoices, or set up your default terms for all new invoices: How do I set default terms for invoices?
   
   Please keep in mind: Payments made via PayPal will not automatically be recorded in CollegePlannerPro. You will need to record any payments made manually. For an overview of creating, sending, and recording payment on invoices in CollegePlannerPro, see:  How do I create, email and record a payment for an invoice?

Example of payment terms with a PayPal payment link:

Example of payment terms with PayPal HTML code: