Business invoicing guides
Focused answers for creating invoices, choosing documents, getting paid and running freelance billing.
Invoicing basics
- What is an invoice?
What an invoice does, when to issue one, and what it is not.
- How to write an invoice clearly
Descriptions, dates, totals and payment details that help a customer approve it.
- How to invoice a client, step by step
What to put on a first invoice, when to send it, and the details that decide whether you get paid in 7 days or 70.
- Net 30 payment terms explained
What Net 15, Net 30, and Net 60 actually mean, which one to use, and how to word terms clients follow.
- What to include on an invoice
The twelve things an invoice needs, and the four omissions that make an otherwise correct invoice unpayable.
- Invoice numbering systems that don't fall apart
Sequential, dated and per-client schemes compared — plus what to do about gaps, duplicates and mistakes.
- How long should you keep invoices?
Build a retention policy without assuming one country’s rules apply everywhere.
Getting paid
- How to follow up on unpaid invoices
A scripted escalation path — reminders at 3, 7, and 14+ days overdue, and what to do when emails fail.
- How to ask for a deposit up front
How much to ask for, when to raise it, wording that doesn't sound defensive, and how to offset it later.
- How to write a payment reminder
Clear wording, essential details and a proportionate next step.
- How to reduce late payments
Fix approval, terms, references and reminders before payment becomes overdue.
Business documents
- Invoice vs quote
A payment request compared with a price offer made before work starts.
- Invoice vs estimate
The final amount billed compared with a forecast made under uncertainty.
- Invoice vs receipt
A request for payment compared with proof that money has arrived.
- Purchase order vs invoice
The buyer’s order compared with the seller’s request for payment.
- Proforma invoice vs invoice
Advance figures compared with the final accounting document.
- Credit note vs refund
Reducing the recorded amount owed compared with returning money.
Freelancer guides
- How freelancers should invoice clients
A practical workflow for deposits, milestones, expenses and final payment.
- How to invoice for hourly work
Turn approved time and rates into a clear, checkable invoice.
- How to invoice international clients
Handle currency, transfer details and cross-border tax questions clearly.
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