Learning how to create professional invoice for freelance work, and making an invoice for business clients is now easier than ever. Whether you’re a self-employed individual, a freelancer or even a small business owner, you might need to create business invoices to get paid on time.

But, how to create an invoice for freelance work?

A professional-looking invoice impresses the client. So, if you work with business clients every month, then knowing how to create an invoice and sending it to your client is a must. This post will help you learn how to make an invoice, design it professionally for your business, and ensure to collect payments from business clients.

Keep reading to find out how to create professional invoices for freelance work, and business clients.

In addition to that, now we have professional online tools that help us with creating savvy invoices in minutes. With that, you can even brand your invoices with your own logo, preferred colors and even, your choice of invoice templates.

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If you have been looking to buy a professional tool to create invoices then you should definitely try this out and save.

But, first, I want you to know 4 things;

4 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW AS A FREELANCER BEFORE CREATING INVOICE

Do you know what’s one thing that usually worries freelancers and clients? It is, how to make sure if they will get paid for the work they do?

I still remember when I used to write for a completely new freelance client, I was always worried if I’ll be ever paid. If you’re interested in freelance writing, you can also learn how to get started with freelance writing career online.

Knowing all the things, I want you to pay attention to these 4 things before you prepare an invoice.

1- Have an Independent Contractor Agreement

Whether you’re a freelancer, or a client looking to hire freelancers, you MUST have this lawyer approved written contract to protect your business legally.

This pre-made template includes services, terms, compensation, termination, governing law, independent contractor status and other confidential agreement details. This will further include the payment terms and details.

If you don’t have this agreement then your business is already at risk. I highly recommend using this pre-made template as it’s so simple to customize and written by a lawyer.

2- Organise your invoice with an identification number

Simply create a unique numbering system to organize your invoices. You could either start with 001 or 18/5/2019 (date).

It makes more sense when you ask the status of invoice number 001 rather than ‘the invoice I sent three days ago’.

3- Use Correct billing details

When creating an invoice, you must be careful of billing contact. If you’re working with a large business then your invoice must be sent to their account department. However, if you’re working with an individual client, you should know their email in use.

Related post: How to find freelance jobs using this new job portal online?

4- Date and terms of payment

Every invoice should have the correct date of issue, and terms of payment. That means, you should clearly include the date you would expect the payment from the client. Be specific and clear and write in a language that’s understandable.

Finally, always discuss your payment terms with clients in early conversation to avoid any delay in payments.

Most freelancers also follow these practices to become successful in the online world. You should always be well aware of contracts, billing details, invoices and any other important document that’s important for your freelance business.

Related post: 21 Best Freelance Sites For Beginners To Get Paid Online

THE EASY PROCESS TO CREATE AN INVOICE FOR FREELANCE WORK AND BUSINESS CLIENTS

This post contains affiliate links. That means, if you clickthrough and make a purchase, I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you. With that, I only promote tools and resources that I use and have a strong recommendation for my readers. For more, please read my full disclosure here.

Before we talk about how to create an invoice for business clients in freshbooks, let’s first have a look at freshbook invoice templates.

Freshbooks Invoice Templates

As a busy freelancer or a business owner, you are tackling hundreds of tasks at one time. From providing great customer service to sending documents, and also managing finances is stress. Every time you think of totaling the clients’ amount, collecting emails and making invoices – you just want to feel exhausted.

Now, it’s way easier to create an invoice, edit it and send it to your client in a few minutes. How?

By using premade FREE Freshbooks invoice templates. That means you can now choose any invoice template and customize it according to your brand, fill the invoice with necessary details and click ‘send’. As simple as that.

• Freshbooks invoice templates are 100% free to use
• Gives a professional impression
• Easily customizable
• Downloadable in all formats including doc, pdf, csv etc

What type of invoice templates are available in Freshbooks?

• Word invoice template
• Excel invoice template
• Google docs template
• PDF template
• Google Sheets template

Choose any template that meets your client requirements so that the client doesn’t have any trouble viewing the invoice and pay you. Moreover, you can also invoice bill templates by category. If you’re a graphic designer then use graphic design template. Or, if you are in the hotel industry, use that template.

Isn’t it too flexible?

You can check out Freshbooks Invoice Templates here

Now, here’s a quick process to make business invoices by following few steps;

Step #1 – Create an invoice with a template

When you’re a freelancer, or an online business owner, preparing invoices and collecting payments is a regular work. You have to be professional while creating invoices for your business.

That is why using cost-effective online tools is a good way to keep track of your business clients, income and expenses.

For this, I recommend Freshbooks.

To get started with your first invoice, sign up for Freshbooks for free. It’s totally free for you to sign up as a new user.

When you’re on the dashboard, click on the create a new button. Then, select the invoice and it will redirect you to a new invoice screen.

As I already discussed using templates, check out all premade freshbooks templates here and choose the one you want to use for your invoices.

You can watch this quick video that shows you how to create an invoice.

Step #2 - Enable settings

At this step, you can change any settings if you want. You can now accept credit cards for faster payments from clients. No more waiting for checks.

This is a wonderful feature for anyone who wants to accept quick payments for clients.

Step #3 Customise Invoicing Style

Freshbooks have some free pre-made professional templates that you can use for invoices. However, you can also create your own invoice template that you can re-use every time.

With that, you can make changes to theme color, fonts, etc.

You can further add your own logo or company details. All this will also help to make your invoice more professional.

Step #4 Fill out your invoice

Now, simply include all the details. The invoice should include company (freelancer) name, address, logo, contact details, etc.

Other must-have things are;

• Billed to (Client details)
• Date of issue
• Due date
• Invoice number
• Notes
• Amount
• Terms

Note: You can also set up ‘send late reminders’ and late fees to clients.

Step #5 - Save & Send Invoice

When your invoice is ready and completed with all the details, click save and send.

As simple as that.

Check out this video for different ways to send out your invoice!

OTHER POWERFUL INVOICING FEATURES OF FRESHBOOKS

When you create invoices with Freshbooks, here are few other features to enjoy;

• Get paid for upfront deposits
• Add invoices due date
• Customize invoice payment term
• Offer discounts
• Calculate taxes
• Instant updates when the invoice gets reviewed or paid
• Make invoices with mobile app

You can further read about Freshbooks, and it's advanced features by reading my Freshbooks review here.

Freshbooks is not only used for invoices, but is commonly used to track expenses, projects, payments, calculate taxes, and prepare monthly reports.

Create your free invoice with Freshbook’s readymade template. When you sign up with Freshbooks, you can also download the business invoice template for Free.

<<Try Freshbooks For Free>>

Making professional Invoices for freelance work is easy, right?

I’m sure, this quick tutorial helped you create professional invoice for freelance work and business.

Make sure to try out Freshbooks, and also, take a look at this must-have independent contractor agreement to legally protect your freelance business.

Now,

I want you to tell me, how do you create an invoice for your business? Do you use any tool and how you keep track of your business?