Need a quick way to send invoices? These free invoice templates will help you start a seamless exchange with your customers.
Looking for even more invoicing support? Lili makes it easy to send invoices and get paid right within your banking app!
Before you start using these templates, it’s important to know how to use them as well as proper invoicing etiquette. Here are some tips for how to create invoices.
An invoice is simply a document a seller sends to a buyer (usually for a service, but can be for products as well) in order to record and collect payment. Sending invoices lends further professionalism to your client relationships and makes it easier for you to keep track of where money is owed.
As you prepare to send your first invoice, familiarize yourself with these invoicing do’s and don’ts so you can get paid quickly and correctly every time.
DO set unique invoice numbers
DO add a description of provided goods/services
DO specify a payment due date
DO track when the invoice was paid or not
DON’T send an unexpected invoice
DON’T leave out accurate payment details
DON’T include fees not mentioned previously
DON’T send your invoice on the day it’s due
Invoices are composed of both permanent and changing elements. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel with every invoice so long as you change the fields that need to be updated each time, such as the items and descriptions of services or products being billed.
Once you’ve selected an invoicing template, follow these steps to prepare it before sending it to your customer:
Have consistent style and branding that you will use for every invoice. Add your logo and any relevant branding to cohesively integrate invoicing into the customer’s journey with your business.
Add contact information for your business, including your business’s name, address, phone number, and email address. You’ll also need to include the same information for your client or customer, though make sure you’re using the right point of contact for their company’s billings.
Create an itemized list of all products or services provided, with a clear breakdown of rates, hours worked (if applicable), item subtotals, and brief descriptions of each item.
Total items and add relevant fees such as sales tax or shipping.
Give it a unique invoice number to keep your records organized and make it easy to refer back to when necessary. Create a numbering system that will help you keep your invoices distinct, such as a simple numbering sequence or ordering them by client ID number.
Determine timelines for when the invoice is to be sent and when payment is due. Give a specific date for when payment is expected due so the timeline is clearly communicated to your customer.
Identify payment options and terms to make it as easy as possible for your customer to fulfill the invoice in a timely manner.
Invoices are used in all fields of business, not just legal and commercial enterprises. Photographers, designers, consultants, and contractors alike need invoicing tools to keep their businesses running.
These downloadable invoice templates are good tools for getting started, but they’re not the only way to manage your billing! Lili offers invoicing software that makes the process even easier.
Choosing the right invoice format for you ultimately depends on your preference and business needs, but there are some advantages and disadvantages to each that you should consider!
Microsoft Word has customizable invoice templates with pre-built fields and lines that are easy to fill and send. The main drawback of using Word is that you have to actually have Microsoft Office in order to use it, as does the recipient of the invoice to avoid formatting issues. If the recipient has a different version of Word, formatting may be altered due to compatibility issues as well.
Due to its nature as a spreadsheet software, Microsoft Excel has invoice templates with formulas incorporated to automatically calculate totals with ease. Unfortunately, Excel faces the same issue as Word, making it difficult for recipients to view an invoice if they don’t have the needed software.
If you don’t have Microsoft Office access, Google Docs is an excellent Word alternative. This clean, simple Google Docs invoice template will work well for any business. To use this template, select File > Make a Copy to save it to your own Google Drive before inputting your information and branding. Similar to Word, Google Docs doesn’t have formula capabilities, meaning you’ll need to manually input all the information.
As Google’s alternative to Microsoft Excel, Sheets offers many of the same benefits in a free, cloud-based platform. Use formulas to calculate quantities and totals, streamlining your invoice-building process. Google Sheets has many invoice templates available in their template gallery with formulas already in place so you don’t have to be a spreadsheet expert to use them.
The primary benefit of PDF invoice templates is that they don’t have any risk of formatting errors and the recipient doesn’t need any special software or account to access them. With a PDF invoice template, you can easily download, print out, and email invoices to customers rather than sending them an external link. Our PDF invoice template is designed for easy customization and simplicity of use to make invoicing your clients a breeze.
Undecided about what invoicing solution to choose? You can save time and take your business to the next level by using Lili’s Invoicing Software. Here’s a useful comparison between the two invoicing options:
Simple, custom invoices in a few clicks
With Lili’s Invoice Generator software, you can create custom professional invoices quickly and easily. You can add your business logo, display your account details, and itemize what you’re billing for in a few quick steps.
Clientele and invoice management
Lili’s Invoicing software enables you to organize and track invoices, and even issue corrections. You’re also able to save your customers’ details, so you can seamlessly issue new invoices for repeat business.
All payment methods are welcome
With Invoicing software like Lili’s, accepting invoice payments is convenient, as you can get paid via any payment method: debit & credit cards, ACH, Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, and even checks.
Invoicing software will take your business’s finances to the next level with automated integrations and an effortless customer experience. Here are just a few of the key benefits:
Find the answers to common questions about creating an invoice right here!
