The more options you give clients for submitting their invoice payments, the more likely they are to pay their invoices on time. Just be sure to discuss your late fee policy with clients upfront and be polite but firm when enforcing the penalties. INCLUDE AND ENFORCE LATE FEESĮven small overdue penalties, such as a late fee of 2% interest per month, can give clients added incentive to pay their invoices on time. Start by shortening your payment period slightly, from 30 days to 21 days and evaluate whether it helps you receive payments faster. While a 30-day billing period used to be common practice, technology has enabled clients to pay their bills much more quickly through online payments and direct transfers. To get paid faster by your clients, your business should consider shortening the payment period on your invoices. For instance, you can list the exact due date, as in “Payment Due October 31, 2018.” 3. Use precise language in your billing due dates. Vague and complicated invoice payment terms, like “Net 30” or “Payment due upon receipt” can confuse clients, which can lead to late payment. Setting clear, specific deadlines in your payment terms can help your business receive payment faster. A study by FreshBooks found that when invoice payment terms include phrases like “please” and “thank you,” the percentage of invoices that are paid increases by five percent. POLITELY WORD YOUR INVOICE PAYMENT TERMSīeing polite when writing your invoice payment terms isn’t just good practice for maintaining positive relationships with your clients, it can actually help you ensure your invoices get paid. Some best practices for invoice payment terms include: 1. The best invoice payment terms for your business are the ones that get you paid fastest. What Are the Best Invoice Payment Terms for Businesses? Familiarize yourself with the maximum annual interest rate in your state. Make sure any late fee conditions you include within your payment terms are in accordance with state laws. Late fee charges for unpaid invoices usually run between 1.5 and 3 percent interest per month. Charging late fees is good for businesses because it leads to a higher percentage of paid invoices, according to a FreshBooks study. Including late fee conditions within your invoice payment terms will let clients know they will be charged an extra fee for late payment.
You want to make sure your invoice payment terms are enforceable. This is common for big projects that take several months to complete. The client must pay 50 percent of the total invoice amount before work begins on the project. This payment term means payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date, but you offer a 2 percent discount off the invoice amount as a reward for paying within 10 days. This is a variation of Net 30 that offers a discount for early payment.
Payment is due on the 15th of the month following the invoice date. Payment is due at the end of the month in which the invoice is received. This is one of the most common payment terms for small businesses and freelancers. Payment is due 30 days from the invoice date. Payment is due 21 days from the invoice date. Payment is due seven days from the invoice date. This means you expect payment immediately when the client receives your invoice. before work begins, and you’re specifying how the client can pay you, i.e. Payment In Advance you’re letting your client know you expect them to pay the total amount due for a project upfront, before you begin work.Ĭash In Advance you’re specifying both when you expect payment, i.e. This guide will help you understand the different invoice payment terms: Invoice Payment Term There are a range of payment terms businesses can choose to include on their invoices. Payment terms on an invoice let a business’s clients know when they’re expected to pay the invoice and what methods they can use to submit payment. What Payment Methods Should I Accept? What Are Payment Terms on an Invoice? These topics will help you develop effective invoice payment terms for small business accounting: Invoice payment terms give businesses better control over their cash flow and help them plan ahead for future expenses. Small businesses include invoice payment terms on all bills they send to clients outlining how quickly they expect payment for their services and the different payment methods clients can use. Invoice payment terms are included on all bills small businesses send to clients outlining how quickly they expect payment for their services and the different payment methods clients can use, giving businesses better control over their cash flow and help them plan ahead for future expenses.