

In ZipBooks, time tracking businesses can start a timer with a click of a button, and that time can be assigned to a customer, a project, or nothing at all.

#Billing vs invoicing software#
Software solutions like ZipBooks automate all of it. In 2019 that’s a completely unnecessary workflow. Many of these types of businesses track their time in a spreadsheet or elsewhere, then multiply their rates and manually enter all of that into an invoice before sending it to their customers. From lawyers, to graphic designers, to plumbers, there are many professions and businesses that bill time directly. Time Trackingįor many businesses - especially service businesses - time tracking and billing are inextricably linked. Trusted ZipBookers can get those payout times shortened (in total), to about two days, as fast as just about anything in the industry. Be sure to understand what those terms are when you’re selecting billing software. The transfer from that account to your checking or other account can take several more days. Depending on your merchant account provider, those funds can sit in that account for up to several days. Most commonly, when you accept a credit card, that payment will get sent immediately to a “merchant account,” a temporary holding place for the funds your customer has had charged to their card. When selecting your billing solution, make sure you know how quickly you’ll be paid out. Often, these fees are negligible compared to the importance of getting cash in the bank quickly in that case, credit card payments are a great way to get paid. You need to be aware, of course, that you incur fees when accepting credit cards (usually in the 3% range see ZipBooks pricing here).

On average, customers pay 15 days faster when they pay via credit card. You’re also likely to get paid more quickly when your invoice arrives instantaneously (as opposed to the two-to-three-day lag through traditional mail).Īnd speaking of getting paid quickly-it’s imperative that you offer integrated credit card processing (and ideally, ACH or bank transfers), through your invoicing system. Yes, you can still print an invoice and mail it, but customers appreciate the convenience of receiving an invoice in their email. When you’re ready to send your invoice, the modern way is to do it over email-your billing app absolutely must support this feature. (Yes, ZipBooks supports this, and it’s easy to do!) Electronic sending and payment If you’re billing for services instead of products or goods, the invoice should reflect that by showing “rate” and “hours” instead of quantity and price. You should make sure that any invoice you send has a complete item name and description, quantity, and price.
#Billing vs invoicing professional#
It’s simple in ZipBooks you to add your own color and logo, so the invoice has your brand identity, while retaining standards that make for a professional invoice.

ZipBooks, and other tools as well, solve this problem for you by allowing you to customize and send a professionally-designed invoice. You simply won’t look credible if you’re still sending hastily-edited word processor documents as invoices.
#Billing vs invoicing for free#
There are too many tools available for free or cheap. In 2019, there’s no excuse for not appearing professional. So we thought it would be helpful to put together a guide letting you know what you should be looking for in a modern billing solution. We think ours is worth considering! (But, of course, we’re biased). It can be easy to get lost in the sea of competing invoicing and billing solutions out there.
