If you run a small business, freelance, or sell online, a PayPal Business account is one of the easiest ways to get paid globally, track transactions, and move money into your bank. The mobile app gives you a compact “command center” for your payments, customers, and cash flow.
This guide walks you step by step through the main features shown in the “PayPal Business Beginner’s Guide 2025” demo: how to navigate the app, send invoices, use QR codes, manage products, build a public business profile, and transfer money to your bank — even with instant payouts
When you open the app, the Home tab is your financial dashboard:
At the top right you’ll see:
Below that is your activity feed:
This gives you a quick snapshot of your cash flow without opening a spreadsheet.
The biggest reason to use a business account is to get paid easily — whether you’re at a farmers’ market, running an online coaching business, or freelancing.
At the bottom of the screen you’ll see two main buttons: Pay and Get Paid.
Tap Get Paid when you want to request money:
From there, PayPal can generate:
This is ideal for in-person sellers, pop-up shops, or anyone who doesn’t want to set up a full e-commerce website yet.
You can also access invoicing under Menu → Get paid → Send invoices. It’s the same interface: choose customer, item, amount, and notes. The app keeps these invoices organized so you can see what’s paid and what’s still outstanding.
Tap the Customers tab at the bottom:
You can also add customers manually:
This effectively turns PayPal Business into a lightweight CRM for solo entrepreneurs and small businesses, helping you keep track of who paid for what and when.
The Menu (three stacked lines) opens a toolbox of business features.
Under Send & Pay, you can:
Under Get paid, you’ll see shortcuts to:
In Manage finances, you’ll find:
PayPal Business isn’t just a payment pipe; it can also store your product and service catalog.
Under Menu → Manage finances → Items you can:
For each item you can set:
Once items are saved, you can quickly attach them to invoices and payment requests instead of retyping details every time.
You can also configure:
A polished public profile makes your business look more legitimate when clients or customers view your PayPal page.
In the Profile tab you can:
After publishing, you can:
This essentially gives you a lightweight online business profile, even if you don’t have a full website yet.
At some point, you’ll want to move money between PayPal and your business bank account.
From the home screen:
On the desktop version, there’s also an option to automatically sweep your PayPal balance to your bank on a schedule (e.g., once a week), so your earnings don’t sit idle in PayPal.
To fund your PayPal balance from your bank:
Sometimes, if you use an eligible debit card, there may be a faster “add money” option with no extra fee. Transfers initiated after 7 PM Eastern or on weekends/holidays can take slightly longer.
To get the most from your PayPal Business account as a new user:
As your volume grows, you’ll naturally start using more advanced features like sales tax presets, shipping workflows, and working capital. But the basics above will already put you ahead of many new sellers.
1. What’s the difference between a PayPal Business account and a personal account?
A personal account is designed for casual buying and selling, while a business account adds tools for invoicing, customer management, sales tax, product catalogs, and a public business profile. It’s built for freelancers, creators, and small businesses that need to accept payments professionally.
2. Do I need a business bank account to use PayPal Business?
You can link almost any bank account, but using a separate business bank account is strongly recommended. It keeps business and personal money apart, makes bookkeeping easier, and helps you see your true business performance at a glance.
3. How can I get paid in person with PayPal Business?
Use the Get Paid section in the app to generate a QR code or payment request. Customers can scan the code with their phones or pay from the link you send, and the money lands directly in your PayPal balance.
4. Are instant transfers worth the 1.5% fee?
Instant transfers are useful when cash flow is urgent — for example, paying suppliers or covering time-sensitive expenses. If timing is flexible, the free 1–3 day transfer option is usually more cost-effective, especially for larger amounts.
5. Can I create invoices directly from my phone?
Yes. The mobile app lets you create invoices, attach saved products or services, choose a customer, and add notes. You can send invoices via email or link, and track whether they’re paid without leaving your phone.
6. Does PayPal Working Capital require a credit check?
Working Capital primarily relies on your PayPal sales history rather than a traditional loan application process. The more consistent, legitimate revenue flows through your PayPal Business account, the stronger your profile when you decide to apply.
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