Streamlining Your Invoicing Process with Online Tools

Invoicing has always been an essential part of self-employment and freelancing, but it doesn’t have to be time-consuming or frustrating. Thanks to the rise of web applications specifically designed for invoicing, as well as built-in features from payment processors, managing your invoicing process has never been easier. These tools can help you save time and stay organized, so you can focus on the work that matters most.

PayPal – For the Minimalists

Many people are familiar with PayPal’s payment processing services, but fewer know about its invoicing capabilities. PayPal’s “Request Money” feature allows you to quickly fill in the recipient’s email address, the amount of money you need, the email subject, and an optional note. This functionality is ideal for simple, one-off invoices or to request payment for services already rendered. PayPal also offers a more detailed invoicing tool that lets you itemize everything, but it does require a bit more information.

Blinksale

Blinksale is a popular choice for online invoicing thanks to its user-friendly interface and advanced customization options. With Blinksale, you can use built-in templates or create your own using CSS, giving you complete control over the look and feel of your invoices. You can also integrate Blinksale with other popular services, such as Basecamp, and easily receive payments through PayPal.

Blinksale isn’t free, however. While there is a free version available, it limits you to only three invoices per month and doesn’t offer secure data encryption or the ability to send invoices as PDFs. If you’re willing to pay for the premium version, however, the pricing is reasonable for the variety of features offered.

Zoho Invoice

Zoho Invoice is another option that provides useful invoicing features, particularly for those who already make use of the Zoho suite of online applications. While the free version of Zoho Invoice only allows five invoices per month and doesn’t support multicurrency, it’s still worth considering if you operate mainly in a single currency.

FreshBooks

FreshBooks is another invoicing solution that incorporates time tracking features to automatically convert hours worked into billable amounts. This application also offers a free version that permits unlimited invoices with branded logos, data import/export, and SSL encryption. The downside is that the free account only allows for managing three clients and restricts access to only one staff member.

Invotrak

Invotrak is a completely free invoicing tool that is simple, reliable, and easy to use. Without the full range of options that other invoicing applications provide, it is ideal for freelancers or small businesses who only require a basic digital invoicing tool.

Other Useful Apps

Invoicing doesn’t have to be the only financial management tool you use. By making use of other applications, you can streamline your finances even further. Wesabe can help you track all your income and expenses, which can make invoicing clients or paying vendors easier. On the other hand, XE is an excellent tool for calculating currency conversions based on up-to-the-minute exchange rates.

Quick Tips on Invoicing

To make the most of your online invoicing application and minimize the time you spend on invoicing, here are a few quick tips that can help:

– File incoming invoices immediately: By keeping tabs on incoming payments and invoices, you can better track expenses and make tax deductions easy.
– Keep a calendar of outgoing invoices: Or use an invoicing tool to set up a schedule. Nothing is worse than missing an invoice and realizing you won’t make ends meet.
– Keep a template: If you don’t use invoicing tools, keeping an up-to-date invoice template on your device ensures you don’t waste time creating invoices from scratch. Even if you do use an invoicing tool, it’s essential to have a backup in case of technical issues.

Conclusion

Online invoicing tools are a crucial part of any freelancer or small business owner’s toolkit. They can significantly streamline the billing and payment process, allowing you to devote more time to your work. Different offerings suit different business models and sizes, but with so many options available today, finding the right invoicing tool is only a matter of research and exploration.