A Complete Guide on How to Make an Invoice

Around 16 million people in the US are self-employed. Some are self-employment veterans and some are using it as a stepping stone to start a business.

But some are total newbies that have recently made the leap from full-time employees to small business owners. If that’s you, then you might need to learn some basic business skills like how to make an invoice.

Invoices are payment notices/documents that you send to clients and receive from suppliers so they know how to pay you. There are specific details to include and guidelines to follow when making an invoice.

But don’t worry, this simple invoice writing guide will tell you everything you need to know!

Read more: Zintego

Details to Include on a Business Invoice

When creating client invoices, it’s better to include too much information than not enough. You don’t want to delay your payment for any reason!

Here’s a list of every detail you should include when you make an invoice:

• The word “invoice” and invoice number
• Invoice date and payment due date
• Your name, business name, address, email, and phone number
• Your client’s business name, contact name, address, email, and phone number
• List of services/products, payment for each, and total payment
• Your payment terms
• Your payment details

Make the extra important details, like the total payment, stand out.

If you accept more than one payment method, write them all down. For example, if you take bank transfers as well as PayPal payments, say so. It may help you get paid faster but don’t forget to state if you have a preference.

Standard Invoice Layout

So that your invoice is easy to read and clients can scan through to find the information they need, use a standard invoicing layout.

Write your name and “invoice” with the number and date at the top. Put your details and your client’s details next (yours tend to go on the left and your client’s on the right).

Then, create a grid and input a list of products/services that you delivered to your client. On the right-hand column, input an itemized amount for each product with the total at the end.

Below the grid, put your payment terms and details.

Create an invoice template so you don’t have to make a new invoice every time. Opt for a free invoice template or you can find templates for a cost on platforms like Etsy.

Standard Invoice File Formats

Most business owners create their templates in an editable program like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Then, save it as a PDF document before you email it to your client to ensure no one edits the information. Save the document under your name, “invoice”, and the invoice number.

When you email it, put the invoice and the number in the subject line so it is easy to locate should you need to follow up on late payments.

Now You Can Make an Invoice and Get Paid

As a new small business owner or self-employed person, you’ll be doing lots of things for the first time. It’s all about taking it one step at a time. And now you know how to make an invoice, you’re well on your way to success.

Want to learn more beginners business tips? Browse our lifestyle and business sections for tons of helpful advice!