Why You Need an Invoice Sample

Small business owners, here’s a question: Do you have an invoice sample you can consult when you need one? Do you have a preset invoice form, a template, or some other document you can use to remind yourself of the invoicing basics? Having these tools handy is something we recommend for all small business owners: Invoicing is a critical practice, and though it’s pretty formulaic, it’s formulaic for a reason. You need to get your invoicing design right if you want to get paid.

In this blog, we’re going to point you toward some resources you can use for obtaining blank invoices, invoice forms, and invoicing templates—some websites with premade documents you can download and consult. We’re also going to make some notes about why invoice templates alone are insufficient; what small business owners really need is a comprehensive approach to invoice management.

Where to Get an Invoice Example

There are a number of websites that offer premade invoicing templates, and we are happy to announce that BizXpert will soon be unveiling its own resources in this arena. In the meantime, consider the following sites for your blank invoice needs:

• Cashboard has a bare-bones invoice document you can download in Microsoft Word.
• Vertex42, meanwhile, has an invoicing template you can get for Excel.
• TidyForm has several different styles of invoice, available in different formats—including PDF.
• Invoice Template Pro also has some options and variants worth making note of.

Again, small business owners can use any of these templates to direct their invoicing efforts—preventing you from having to generate your invoices from scratch, and ensuring that you’re hitting on the proper formatting and including all the necessary components.

But What About Invoice Management?

Templates expedite the invoicing process, but they hardly automate it. Business owners still face the need to keep track of their invoicing—to know which invoices have been paid, which are outstanding, and which are overdue. Small business owners need solutions to keep track of their payments, their invoicing records, and their inventory—something that blank invoice forms alone cannot offer.

This is why small business owners are encouraged to invest in an invoice app or an invoice software program. These programs will provide more than just invoice generation tools; they will actually assist with bookkeeping. And when you have a cloud-based app, such as BizXpert, you can be certain that even when you invoice from your phone or tablet, you’ll find fully up-to-date and comprehensive records waiting for you on your PC.

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Invoicing Apps

As you look into the different invoicing apps that are out there, there are several points to consider—several pros and cons to account for. Some things to think about:

• Is the app cloud-based? This is an absolute must for invoicing ease and up-to-date record-keeping.
• Does the app keep track of inventory as well as invoices? Is it a fully immersive business management tool, or just a bare-bones invoice generator?
• Does the app help you accept online payments?
• Does the app allow for full customization of each invoice?
• What about the price point? Subscription-based invoicing software can be as expensive as $100 a month, while many freelancers and small business owners will find that the free apps work just fine.

The bottom line for small business owners: You need to know how to invoice, and having an invoice sample on hand is a great first step. It is not enough, however—not if you want your invoicing to be efficient and effective. To achieve that goal, a full invoice management app is the best bet, and a decision you won’t regret.