Payment API
WooCommerce
Shopify
Shopify
Sign in
Blog

How to Accept Payments on an AI-Built Website: API, Payment Links or Hosted Checkout?

Futuristic illustration of an AI-built ecommerce website connected to Wallids Pay by Bank payment infrastructure through a modern payment API.
On this page
Building a website with AI has never been easier. Whether you used Lovable, Bolt, Replit, v0 or another AI-assisted development platform, you can launch an online business in hours instead of weeks.
The next challenge is accepting payments.
Many merchants discover that building the website is only half the job. They still need a secure way to let customers pay, manage transactions, and scale as the business grows.

Key Takeaways

  • AI website builders create websites quickly, but you still need a payment provider to securely process customer payments.
  • The three main integration methods are API integrations, payment links and hosted checkout, each suited to different business needs.
  • API integrations offer the greatest flexibility and are typically the best long-term choice for growing ecommerce businesses.
  • Payment links are the fastest way to begin accepting payments, while hosted checkout offers an easy-to-implement, secure checkout experience.
  • Pay by Bank is a payment method that can be offered through your chosen integration alongside cards and other payment options.
  • Wallid supports merchants with flexible API and plugin integrations while enabling Pay by Bank payments across the UK and Europe.
This guide explains the three most common ways to add payments to an AI-built website, how each option works, and which approach is best for different types of businesses.

How to accept payments

There are three main ways to accept payments on an AI-built website:
Step What to Do Why It Matters
1. Choose a payment provider Select a provider that supports your business, countries and preferred payment methods. The provider determines how you process payments and what payment methods you can offer.
2. Pick an integration method Decide between an API integration, payment links or hosted checkout. Each option offers a different balance of flexibility, speed and development effort.
3. Connect your website Integrate using an API, install a plugin or configure a hosted checkout. This enables your website to securely communicate with the payment provider.
4. Configure payment methods Enable the payment options you want customers to use, such as cards or Pay by Bank. Offering multiple payment methods can improve customer choice and checkout flexibility.
5. Start accepting payments Once everything is configured, customers can complete purchases through your chosen checkout. A smooth payment experience helps support conversions and future business growth.
Many payment providers—including Wallid—support one or more of these approaches. The right choice depends on how your website sells products, how much customization you need, and how quickly you want to launch.

Why AI-Built Websites Still Need a Payment Solution

AI can generate websites, online stores and web applications remarkably quickly.
However, AI website builders generally don't process payments themselves.
Instead, they allow you to connect a payment provider that securely handles:
  • Customer payments
  • Payment authorisation
  • Security and fraud protection
  • Transaction processing
  • Settlement of funds
This separation gives merchants flexibility because they can choose the payment methods that best fit their customers and business model.

The Three Ways to Accept Payments

1. API Integration

An API (Application Programming Interface) allows your website to communicate directly with a payment provider.
Customers remain on your website throughout checkout while the payment is processed securely behind the scenes.

Best for

  • Ecommerce stores
  • Subscription businesses
  • SaaS products
  • Businesses expecting to scale
  • Merchants wanting a branded checkout

Advantages

  • Complete checkout customisation
  • Better brand consistency
  • Greater flexibility
  • Easier to build advanced customer experiences
  • Can support multiple payment methods through one integration

Considerations

API integrations usually require more development work than the other options. Fortunately, many modern payment providers offer developer documentation and ready-to-use SDKs that simplify implementation.

2. Payment Links

Payment links generate a unique URL that customers use to complete a purchase.
Instead of building a checkout page, you simply send the customer a secure payment link.

Best for

  • New businesses
  • Low-volume merchants
  • Custom orders
  • Social selling
  • Businesses testing a new product

Advantages

  • Very fast to set up
  • No checkout development required
  • Can be shared by email, chat or social media
  • Useful for one-off invoices

Considerations

Payment links are convenient but offer less control over branding and customer experience than an integrated checkout.

3. Hosted Checkout

Hosted checkout redirects customers to a secure payment page managed by the payment provider before returning them to your website after payment.

Best for

  • Small ecommerce stores
  • Businesses launching quickly
  • Merchants without dedicated developers
  • Companies prioritising simplicity

Advantages

  • Easy implementation
  • Built-in security
  • Payment provider manages checkout updates
  • Lower maintenance

Considerations

Because customers temporarily leave your website during payment, you have less control over the checkout experience compared to an API integration.
On this page

API vs Payment Links vs Hosted Checkout

Feature API Integration Payment Links Hosted Checkout
Best for Growing ecommerce businesses Quick launches and one-off payments Simple online stores
Setup time Moderate Very Fast Fast
Development required Medium Minimal Low
Checkout customisation Excellent Limited Moderate
Customer stays on your website Yes No No
Scalability Excellent Basic Good
Maintenance Managed by your team Very low Managed by provider
Supports Pay by Bank Yes, if supported by your provider Yes, if supported by your provider Yes, if supported by your provider
Recommended for Long-term ecommerce growth Fast setup and testing Balanced simplicity and security
On this page

Which Option Is Best for Your Business?

Different businesses have different priorities.

You're launching quickly

Choose Payment Links if you want to start accepting payments immediately without building a checkout.

You run an online store

Choose Hosted Checkout if you want a professional payment experience with minimal implementation work.

You're building a long-term ecommerce business

Choose API Integration if checkout experience, customer retention and flexibility are important to your business.
For many merchants, an API integration becomes the preferred option as the business grows.
On this page

How to Add Payments to an AI-Built Website

The exact process depends on your payment provider, but most integrations follow a similar journey.

Step 1: Choose a payment provider

Look for a provider that supports your business model, your target countries and the payment methods your customers expect.

Step 2: Decide how customers will pay

Choose whether you want:
  • An API integration
  • Hosted checkout
  • Payment links
Some providers offer all three options.

Step 3: Connect your website

Depending on your website platform, you may:
  • Connect through an API
  • Install a plugin
  • Configure a hosted payment page
Many AI-built websites support custom integrations or plugins, making this process straightforward.

Step 4: Verify your payment flow

Before accepting live payments, ensure customers can complete purchases successfully and that the checkout experience works smoothly across desktop and mobile devices.

Step 5: Start accepting payments

Once your integration is complete, customers can begin paying through your chosen checkout method.
On this page

How Wallid Supports Different Integration Approaches

Wallid helps merchants add payments to AI-built websites through flexible integration options.
Depending on your business, you can:
  • Integrate directly using Wallid's API.
  • Connect through available ecommerce plugins where appropriate.
  • Offer Pay by Bank as an additional payment method alongside traditional card payments.
  • Expand payment acceptance without relying exclusively on card networks.
For ecommerce businesses operating in the UK and Europe, this flexibility makes it easier to choose an implementation approach that matches both current needs and future growth.

Ready to Add Payments to Your AI-Built Website?

Whether you're launching a new ecommerce store or scaling an existing business, Wallid helps merchants integrate payments through APIs and plugins while offering Pay by Bank alongside other payment methods across the UK and Europe.

Talk to Our Payments Team

Discover how Wallid can help you integrate payments and offer Pay by Bank on your AI-built website with flexible solutions designed for modern ecommerce.

Choosing the Right Payment Method

The integration method determines how customers reach the checkout.
The payment method determines how they actually pay.
For example:
  • API integration + Pay by Bank
  • API integration + cards
  • Hosted checkout + Pay by Bank
  • Hosted checkout + cards
  • Payment links + Pay by Bank (where supported)
Many businesses offer multiple payment methods to give customers more choice while reducing dependence on a single payment option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I accept payments on an AI-built website?

Yes. AI website builders create the website, while a payment provider securely processes customer payments through an API, payment links or hosted checkout.

Which payment integration is the easiest?

Payment links are usually the quickest option because they don't require you to build or maintain a checkout page.

When should I choose an API integration?

API integrations are best for growing ecommerce businesses that want full control over branding, checkout experience and future scalability.

What is the difference between hosted checkout and payment links?

Hosted checkout provides a complete payment page managed by your payment provider, while payment links generate individual URLs that customers can use to pay.

Can I offer Pay by Bank on an AI-built website?

Yes. If your payment provider supports Pay by Bank, you can offer it alongside cards and other payment methods at checkout.

Can I offer multiple payment methods?

Yes. Many merchants combine cards, digital wallets and Pay by Bank to give customers more choice and reduce reliance on a single payment method.

Do AI website builders include payment processing?

Most AI website builders focus on creating the website. You'll typically connect a separate payment provider to securely accept customer payments.

How does Wallid support AI-built websites?

Wallid supports merchants with API integrations and ecommerce plugins while enabling Pay by Bank payments for businesses across the UK and Europe.

Expert Note
This article was written by a Wallid Content Specialist with expertise in ecommerce payments, Open Banking and payment infrastructure for UK and European merchants. It is part of Wallid's educational AI Commerce series, helping businesses understand payment integration options, compare implementation methods and choose the right approach for accepting online payments on AI-built websites.

2026-07-22 16:52 AI