5 tips to get paid on time, every time

As it goes with most aspects of running a small business, there is no “how to get paid” instruction manual. Clients want to pay you on time, but you need to make it easy for them. Here are our top five tips for getting paid fast:

1.  Accept many forms of payment .

Advancements in technology have contributed to clients’ constantly evolving expectations. Today’s clients expect you to take their preferred payment method, whether that’s a credit card, PayPal® or perhaps even BitCoin! The more payment methods you accept, the easier you make it for your clients to pay. And, the faster you can collect your hard-earned money.

2.  Invoice online.

Don’t try to keep up with the money you’re owed in your head or on a complicated spreadsheet. Use a service like GoDaddy Get Paid to keep all of your invoices in one place.

Just log in to GoDaddy Get Paid, click the Invoices tab, and see which clients owe you money. Plus, it helps you automate tedious invoicing tasks like following up on past-due invoices. You can even impress your clients with automated thank-you emails when a payment is received.

3.  Brand your invoicing.

Make sure your client knows who the heck they’re paying. If you work under a pen name or company name, beware. Your client will probably think of you as “that talented designer, Jeanette” rather than “J&D Creations, Ltd.” So when your invoice arrives bearing an unfamiliar name, they might be stumped and put it aside until later.

The first time you try out the invoicing feature in GoDaddy Online Bookkeeping, you’ll be able to brand your invoices to match your company’s unique style.

4.  Include all contact info.

In most companies, the contact person you work with on a day-to-day basis won’t be the same person who actually remits your payment. To prevent a serious money-minded person from questioning your invoice (or worse, trying to send a check to a missing address), include your proper name, address, phone numbers, fax and nearest carrier pigeon roost.

5.  Take a payment on the spot.

For those jobs or projects where it’s appropriate, why not take a payment right on the spot? Whether you’re in a client’s office, at a coffee shop or on the phone, swipe or scan a card payment on your mobile phone and you’re done.

It’s now easier than ever to get paid with Online Bookkeeping’s new Get Paid feature. You can send invoices in minutes, take a bank payment online, or scan a credit card on your mobile phone. And your clients don’t need special accounts or logins to pay you. Sign up today and Get Paid faster!