Small company invoicing made easy
Posted 1 April 2008 at 8:18AM by Ian Betteridge in Ecommerce and online payments
Back when I worked for myself, one of the jobs I hated was invoicing. Like many people, I struck out on my own to do the work I enjoyed, not bury myself under paperwork.
Being the kind of person I am, that meant I usually left invoicing until the moment when I realised that I had a cash flow crisis and then invoiced for about six months work. And, from my experience on the other side of the fence signing off other people's invoices, I know that I'm not unique in this.
Perhaps, though, I would have been a lot better at it if I'd had a system like the newly-launched Zoho Invoice. This is a simple online invoicing system from the makers of the Zoho suite of web applications, which lets you create, send and track invoices to your customers.
Like most web applications, there's a free version, although this only allows you to send up to five invoices per month. There are paid-for options beyond this, but no matter what you opt for it's going to be easier than keeping track of things via pen and paper.
Zoho Invoice isn't the only online invoicing system, and if you're looking for something that's more comprehensive then BT Business Builder may be a better option. But if you're just issuing an occasional invoice and need to track whether it's been paid or not, then Zoho works well.
Tags: bt, bt broadbandoffice, bt business builder, invoice, invoicing software
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Comments
2. At April 1, 2008 5:54 PM, Mrs S Mitchell wrote:
I agree with Mrs Worrall, there are many Virtual Assistants that could help you in all aspects of your business not just book-keeping. Using on-line services are OK but the personal touch is always better. What about your very own virtual PA! I would be happy to help.
3. At April 1, 2008 6:42 PM, James Lyon wrote:
Why not just use PAYPAL.
I issue numerous invoices daily. I import the invoice details from an excel spread sheet or my website including the prices with discounts, it then collects the money for me from customers Debit and Credit Cards worldwide. I pack the goods and it prepares all my dispatch notes and prints out the address label complete with stamp etc for very little keyboard input from me. The customer inputs all their own data, address etc and PAYPAL verifies it.
I can get daily and or monthly sales reports from the PAYPAL system at any time and it inter-reacts with my Bank Account. Yes I do have to pay PAYPAL for the money collection but I dont have to pay a Bank to do this for me. The beauty is that its is all integrated into one system - It also handles Ebay sales.
4. At April 1, 2008 6:48 PM, James Lyon wrote:
PS I received an order at 1414 hours this afternoon. The Paypal invoice was sent by email and the costomer paid almost immediately. The goods were packed, weighed, addresses and smart stamped and at the post office by 1600 hours. The customer should get his parcel in the morning !!!
5. At April 2, 2008 8:33 AM, Mick Foley wrote:
James, would you be able to swing me a job with your new advertising firm? Or your employers at PAYYYYYYYYPALLLLL?
But seriously, no everyone has a paypal account and I'm sure as heck not going to be paying them for my money, banking alternitive or no!
Having said that I cannot stand it when you make a paymen on the web only to wait a week to be invoiced by your friendly SMB stockist of Star Wars and WWE toys! Instant Invocing if not billing people please! I think we all have a thing or two to learn from James, and PAYYYYYYYPALLLLLLL!!
Oh yeah, Have a nice day!!
-Mick Foley
6. At April 2, 2008 1:55 PM, James Lyon wrote:
PSS to Mick Foley
As well as PAYPAL - I do accept CASH, Uk Cheques and UK Postal Orders, Western Union etc. PAYPAL does not suit every business but it does what I want, at a secure and economic price to a WORLD WIDE Market.
Taking credit cards over the telephone is a very risky business. If it goes wrong the Bank grabs its money back without notice or questions and you have also lost your goods.
7. At April 3, 2008 8:03 AM, batman wrote:
Just another gimmick...Do you really want your firm's financial details available all over the internet? Security is always an issue when you have absolutley no idea who is running the 'show'.
8. At April 5, 2008 11:11 AM, Tanvir Ahmad wrote:
ARRGH.. not again James. Not everyone has a "World Wide business" like you.
Paypal may be good for collecting money over the internet (if you have a website or have a e-bay business) but not everyone does.
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1. At April 1, 2008 9:11 AM, Mrs C Worrall wrote: