sales@firstamericanmerchant.com
Give us a call for more info 1-800-210-5649
Skip to content

How Do Invoicing Methods Affect Your Cash Flow?

Small business owners in a number of industries use invoicing to get paid. If you’re among them, be aware effective invoice strategies are critical to your success and can help you improve your cash flow.

First, don’t send invoices with incorrect information because clients may refuse to pay them. Don’t fail to keep detailed records so to avoid mistakes. Second, avoid delayed invoicing, meaning do your best to send invoices as soon as you can after the service is rendered. Otherwise, clients will just ignore the bill. Third, avoid late payments. The point is that clients will pay late if they know they can.

If you’re a small business owner interested in business financing, consider turning to First American Merchant, a reputable alternative online lender and payment processor. Firstamericanmerchant.com offers exceptional terms and the lowest possible rates for business funding, including a startup business cash advance. FAM specializes in the high risk sector and boasts an A+ rating with the BBB.

Now, let’s see what you need to know about effective invoicing:

  1. Discuss Your Terms and Conditions Beforehand

Establish clear terms and conditions before starting any work. Your T&Cs should answer these questions:

  • Will any upfront payments be required? If yes, how much?
  • When (what date?) (how many days?) is the payment expected after the invoice has been issued?
  • Will late fees be charged as a specific amount or a percentage of the invoice total?
  • Will incentives for early payments be offered?
  • What types of payments are acceptable for you?
  1. Use Timely Invoicing and Early Payment Incentives

Send invoices to your clients on time. Being late increases the chances of not being paid. Also, you may want to offer incentives for paying early.

  1. Shorten Your Payment Terms

If you’re running a service-based business, demand 7-day payment terms. The only exception is when you work with an enterprise-level business or government agency, which have their established payment policies.

  1. Send Invoice Reminders

It’s important to have an automated invoicing process that will enable you to send reminders anytime a bill is unpaid for a certain period of time.

  1. Have Easy Payment Options

Make it easy for clients to make payments. If it’s easier for them to mail a check, consider accepting checks.

  1. Know the Best Time and Frequency to Bill Clients

Know your client’s pay cycle so to avoid a long lapse of time between sending an invoice and getting paid.

  1. Avoid Holding Credit for Clients

If you have to pay another supplier, vendor, or freelancer in advance, the client must be responsible to pay for that job upfront. At the very least, consider requesting a deposit that will cover this expense.

  1. Automate

Use invoicing software to automate as many invoicing tasks as possible so not to waste time on constantly entering information like contact details, job descriptions, and prices. Automation also includes recurring invoicing, expense tracking, and sending out payment reminders.

No one can deny the negative impact ineffective invoicing can have on your cash flow. That’s why you should avoid invoicing errors that will affect your cash flow.