We get a lot of questions in our community about electronic invoicing software and practices. We’ve scoured the web for the best recommendations from around the web and consolidated them into this guide to help you learn how to properly invoice your customers, or if give you some tips if you’re just looking to spruce up your style.
Top Recommendations
- Focus on Clarity– Be detailed but concise in your itemization
- Keep Financial Expectations Clear – Make payment method, due date and penalties clear and easily visible
- Be prompt– deliver invoice or bill within 24 hours of chargeable event
- Stay Organized- Standardize forms and tracking method (number, code, etc)
- Keep a Marketing Mindset– Make sure your documents are professional and include your logo and contact info
- Go Paperless – Consider switching to an e-invoicing solution to save time, money, paper
Resources for Building Better Invoicing Practices
Invoicing Tips & Best Practices
- 10 Tips on everything from setting client expectations to keeping track of your invoices via Hongkiat.com
- Advice on what you should do before you ever stick your invoice in the mail (or email) via Freelance Folder
- Advice on putting together a strong, professional invoice and some great design examples via Smashing Magazine
- Best Practices for Standardizing your Invoicing System and avoiding duplicate payments via CPA2Biz
Online Billing and Invoicing
- 7 great invoicing apps for freelancers via Freelance Switch
- Weighing the advantages of switching to an online billing model via Startinvoicing.com
- 30 invoicing apps for small businesses via SmallBizTrends.com
- Best Practice advice that strongly advocates going paperless to make communication between employees and with clients more efficient via Replicon
Dealing with Late Payments
- Graphic Designer David Airey weighs in on what to do, and user comments provide great insight as well via David Airey
- 4 Tips on Making Sure your clients pay on time every time via Marketingfirst.co.nz
- Tips from a Professional Freelance writer on avoiding late payments via The Writing Base
- Great Ideas for effective invoicing, from checking client references to tracking your order via Startinvoicing.com
Looking for more? Discover more about invoicing and financial management technology in our exclusive Top 10 E-Invoicing Software report.