What’s the best way to send an invoice? The answer may depend on your small business and the client you’re invoicing. Let’s walk you through 3 of the most common ways to send an invoice. By email, using an online program or by snail mail. The most convenient way to send an invoice is by email—It’s fast…and free. If you want to be sure it was delivered, you can request a “delivery” receipt or “read” receipt in your email program. That way, you’ll get a notification when your client opens your email. If you’ve created an invoice in Microsoft Word, Excel or another program, the most secure way to send it is to save your invoice as a PDF. This ensures no one can make any changes to the invoice. Write a clear subject heading and a short note to your client. Then attach the PDF to the email and send. If you use cloud accounting software, you’ll have the option of sending your invoice online, straight from the software program. A template will create a message for you, which you can customize if you want, and the client will receive the invoice by email. This process is even faster and easier than email. You’ll automatically have a record of when it was sent – and you’ll be able to see when your client viewed it. Some accounting software, like FreshBooks, offer a one-month free trial. This means you can check out the software first, and see if it meets your needs. Some clients prefer to receive a paper copy of an invoice through the mail. First, you need office supplies, then, you need to take the time to physically drop it in a mailbox. With technology, sending an invoice is quick and easy. Choose the solution that works best for your small business.
