# Overview

<figure><img src="https://2871449050-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl30rnceUhurIpUHI9ar1%2Fuploads%2F9mTgRVPt8UHozzXrGve2%2F07.png?alt=media&#x26;token=21431b67-9217-4b5c-b7f8-fdc0550d3aeb" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Initiating Payments with TodayPay

Integrators can initiate payments in several ways:

1. TodayPay API
2. Batch file via SFTP, API upload, or dashboard upload
3. The dashboard UI

Payments can be issued to a customer's phone number or email address. To initiate a payment, typically only **name**, **amount**, and (**email** or **phone**) are required.

## Communicating with Customers

Integrators can notify customers about initiated payments in several ways:

1. TodayPay sends SMS or email notifications on behalf of merchants:
   * Full domain and design white-labeling supported
   * Notifications triggered immediately upon initiation by the merchant
2. Merchants send SMS or email with an embedded TodayPay link:
   * Optionally embed URL parameters for a better user experience
   * [Docs](https://docs.todaypay.tech/todaypay-platform/notifying-customers)