How to set up PayPal donations on your biolink page

12 February, 2026 • How to • 3 minutes read

If you want to receive donations directly through your Contactable biolink page, you need to connect your PayPal account properly using API credentials.

This guide walks you through the full process, from creating your PayPal app to activating a donation block on your page.

No website required. No complex coding. Just a structured setup.


Note: If you are unsure at any stage, you can click the Instructions button inside the Payment Processor menu in your Contactable dashboard for additional guidance specific to each provider.



Before You Start

To accept donations through Contactable, you will need:

• A PayPal account (https://paypal.com)

• Access to the PayPal Developer Console (https://developer.paypal.com/home/)

• Your Client ID and Secret

• A configured webhook


Once these are connected, your biolink donation block will process payments correctly and confirm transactions automatically.


Step 1: Create a PayPal Developer App

PayPal requires API credentials to connect external platforms securely.


  1. Go to the PayPal Developer Console.
  2. Log in using your PayPal account.
  3. Navigate to the REST API Apps section.
  4. Click Create App.
  5. Enter a name for your app and create it.


After creating the app, you will see:


• Client ID

• Secret


These credentials allow Contactable to securely process donations on your behalf.


Step 2: Switch to Live Mode

By default, PayPal may display Sandbox credentials. Sandbox mode is a testing environment that allows you to simulate payments without using real money. It is useful for development and testing, but it will not process real donations.

To receive live donations from real supporters, you must switch your app to Live mode and use your Live Client ID and Secret.

Inside your app settings:


  1. Switch from Sandbox to Live mode.
  2. Confirm you are viewing Live credentials.
  3. Copy the Live Client ID.
  4. Copy the Live Secret.


You will paste these into your Contactable payment processor settings.


Step 3: Add PayPal Inside Contactable

Now connect PayPal to your account.


  1. Log in to your Contactable dashboard.
  2. Go to Payment Processors.
  3. Click Add Processor.
  4. Choose PayPal.
  5. Set Mode to Live.
  6. Paste your Client ID.
  7. Paste your Secret.
  8. Save your settings.



Your PayPal account is now connected.


Step 4: Set Up the PayPal Webhook

Webhooks notify Contactable when a payment has been successfully completed.

Inside your PayPal Developer app:

  1. Scroll to the Webhooks section.
  2. Click Add Webhook.
  3. In the Webhook URL field, enter: https://contactable.co.uk/l/YourWebhook (this link can be found by pressing the instructions button.
  4. In Event Types, select: Payment sale completed
  5. Save the webhook.


This ensures your donation payments are properly confirmed.


Step 5: Add a Donation Block to Your Biolink Page

With PayPal connected, you can now activate donations.


  1. Open your biolink page editor.
  2. Add a Donation block.
  3. Enter your donation title.
  4. Add a short description explaining what the donation supports.
  5. Set your prefilled amount.
  6. Set a minimum amount if required.
  7. Choose your currency.
  8. Save your page.


(Don't forget you can customise your donations button, with different colours and designs to match your Biolink theme.)




Visitors can now donate directly from your biolink page.


Test Before Sharing

Before promoting your donation link:


• Make a small test payment.

• Confirm the payment is received in PayPal.

• Confirm the transaction registers correctly inside Contactable.


Testing ensures everything is working properly before you share your page publicly.


When to Use PayPal Donations

This setup works well for:


• Content creators

• Small businesses

• Independent artists

• Charities and community groups

• Event organisers

• Coaches and educators


It allows you to receive support or payments without building a full ecommerce website.


Final Thoughts

Setting up PayPal donations on your biolink page gives you a simple and professional way to accept payments online.

Once connected, you only need to share one link. Whether someone finds you through Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, email or a QR code, they can support you instantly.

Your biolink page stays the same. Your income options grow with it.


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