Key takeaways
- If you want to know how to get paid faster, the payment method is one of the simplest levers, because how a customer can pay affects how fast they do.
- Online invoicing removes friction. When you accept online payments straight from the invoice, customers can pay by card in a few taps while the invoice is open.
- Paying by card also gives customers control over their own cash flow, which makes paying you the easy choice.
- Clear invoice payment terms matter. Shorter, clearer terms tend to get paid faster than a vague "payable on receipt."
- Knowing how to write an invoice properly, with your ABN, a clear description, the amount and a due date, helps avoid delays.
- Easy Business App lets you send invoices in moments, add a pay-by-card option and send automated reminders.
Every small business owner knows the feeling of an invoice that just sits there. The work is done, the invoice is sent, and then you wait. What often gets overlooked is how much the way a customer can pay affects how fast they do. If you want to know how to get paid faster, the payment method is one of the simplest levers you have.
Why invoices get paid late
Most late payments are not deliberate. People are busy, and a manual bank transfer is a small job: log in, copy the BSB and account number, check the reference and hit send. It is not hard, but it is a task, and tasks get put off. The longer an invoice sits, the more likely it slips down the list.
When the only way to pay you is a manual transfer, you are asking the customer to stop what they are doing and work through those steps. Anything that adds friction adds delay.
How online payments change things
Online invoicing removes that friction. When you accept online payments straight from the invoice, the customer can pay by card in a few taps while the invoice is open in front of them. There is nothing to put off, so it tends to happen there and then.
Paying by card also gives the customer some control over their own cash flow, whether that is spreading the cost or lining it up with their own income. Making it easy, and giving them a way to pay that suits them, is one of the most reliable ways to get paid sooner.
Getting your invoices right
Fast payment starts with a clear invoice. If you are working out how to write an invoice, make sure each one includes:
- Your business name and ABN
- The customer's details
- A description of the work or goods
- The amount due, including GST if you are registered
- Clear invoice payment terms and a due date
- A way to pay, ideally a pay-now option on the invoice itself
Invoice payment terms matter more than people think. Shorter, clearer terms tend to get paid faster than a vague "payable on receipt." Spell out exactly when payment is due.
A few habits that help
Alongside online payments, a few simple habits keep cash coming in:
- Send the invoice as soon as the work is done, while the value is fresh
- Keep payment terms short and clear
- Offer a pay-now option so there is nothing to organise
- Send a gentle automated reminder when an invoice is overdue
None of this is about chasing harder. It is about removing the reasons a customer has to delay.
Making it simple
Good invoicing software brings all of this together: professional invoices, clear terms, and a pay-now button that lets customers pay on the spot.
Easy Business App does exactly that. You can send an invoice in moments, add a pay-by-card option so customers can pay straight away, and set automated reminders for anything overdue. If getting paid on time is a constant frustration, making it easy to pay is the simplest place to start. See how it works at easybusinessapp.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can a small business get paid faster? The most reliable way to get paid faster is to make paying easy. Accept online payments straight from the invoice, set short and clear invoice payment terms, send the invoice promptly, and use automated reminders for anything overdue.
- How do online payments on invoices work? Online invoicing adds a pay-now option to the invoice, so a customer can pay by card in a few taps rather than logging in to do a manual bank transfer. There is nothing to put off, so invoices tend to be paid sooner.
- How do I write an invoice? To write an invoice, include your business name and ABN, the customer's details, a description of the work, the amount due including GST if you are registered, clear invoice payment terms and a due date, and ideally a pay-now option.
- What are good invoice payment terms for a small business? Shorter, clearer terms usually get paid faster. Spell out exactly when payment is due rather than using vague wording. Many small businesses use 7 or 14 day terms.
- What invoicing software should a small business use? Look for invoicing software that lets you send professional invoices quickly, accept online payments and set automated reminders. Easy Business App does all three, with invoicing at $10.95 a month.