If you’re struggling with late payments, and around half small businesses are, here are some simple strategies to use.

Invoice without delay

Your customer can’t pay until you've invoiced them, so make sure you send your bill promptly. Customers are also more open to paying when they've just received the goods or services that you delivered. Cash in on the goodwill, there's no reason to delay.

Include all the information

Make sure your invoice has all the right information, including a description of the work or product, the date it was delivered, and any customer requirements such as a purchase order number. Some customers have very specific requirements so ask what they need to see on the invoice. Make the due date clear, too.

Ask for prompt payment

Customers used to get weeks to pay invoices, but that's changing. More than a third of businesses now request payment within a week. Consider doing the same. Starting off at seven days will help set an expectation of prompt payment.

Be easy to pay

Customers will pay faster if they can use their preferred method to hand over the money. Offer a variety of options, from credit cards, to PayPal and payment plans or installments.

Chase payments

Your job's not done when the invoice goes out the door. You'll need to follow up with the customer to make sure it’s being processed. If the invoice goes past due, it's time to make a phone call.

Systemise and Automate

Don't leave all of this to chance, do whatever you can to automate and systemise your processes around invoicing and getting paid. From initial invoices to chasing payment making sure you can focus on following up on the most important invoices manually. There are also options like factoring or upfront payments to consider.

Talk to us about your invoicing systems, we can help you get paid faster