< Back to Stories

Small Business Invoice Templates

Save time and earn more with Invoicer.

Running a small business is hard work, and a successful entrepreneur must constantly juggle multiple priorities simultaneously. One of the biggest and most important administrative tasks tends to be the most challenging, and that is invoicing.

What if there was an easier way to create stunning, professional invoices fast?

Fortunately, some small businesses have discovered the secret to staying organized, getting paid, and saving valuable time with invoice templates.

Learn just how valuable these invoice tools are for any small business. In this article, we will answer the following questions:

  1. What is a Small Business Invoice?
  2. What Do I Include in a Small Business Invoice?
  3. How Do I Create a Small Business Invoice?

So, let's get started!

What is a Small Business Invoice?

Imagine a small business centered around client services that didn't have a way to document customer purchases or reach out for payment? Likely, if this small business actually existed, it wouldn't be around for long. Successful companies require a standardized means of corresponding with their customers, accurately listing products provided/services rendered, and providing payment instructions.

At the core of every invoice is an itemized record of each customer purchase, money due, and a means for the customer to square the bill. Invoices come in paper and electronic forms -- with the latter being much more convenient for both parties. Depending upon the agreement between the small business and customer, invoices can either involve one transaction or schedule payments over time. 

What Do I Include in a Small Business Invoice?

To save time, get paid fast, and exude professionalism, every small business owner should include the following components to any invoice template.

Include "Invoice" in the Header

First, small businesses need anyone looking at the invoice to know it's not a receipt or unrelated correspondence. How do you ensure the customer knows what they're reading? Prominently display the word "Invoice" near the top of the document to identify to the customer that this correspondence requires them to act.

Company Name, Branding and Contact Information

Another critical component of an invoice is the company name, logo, and address. If the customer has difficulty determining who the invoice is from, it could present the small business with challenges receiving payment. Contact information such as the address and phone number gives customers a way to reach out should any concerns arise.

A Unique Invoice Number

An invoice should also include a unique number that helps differentiate it from other invoices. This invoice number serves two purposes: First, it helps the small business stay organized so that this document can be categorized and quickly referenced. Second, the number provides a streamlined method for the customer to refer to their transaction when contacting the small business should there be questions or concerns.

Goods or Services Provided

A vital element to every professional invoice is a list of services or products each customer obtained from the small business. For example, if a company sells novelty shoes shaped like bananas, the invoice should list "Banana shoes," quantity, cost per unit, etc.

Total Amount Due and Payment Options

The most important part of a small business invoice is the total amount owed for goods or services. This total is usually near the bottom of the document, along with payment terms such as installments. Entrepreneurs will also want to include each payment method available such as credit, bank details, Stripe, PayPal, or any other payment system the company uses. If you list all payment options, customers can quickly compensate small businesses efficiently.

How Do I Create a Small Business Invoice?

There are many ways to create small business invoice templates. Small business owners can design the invoice from scratch using programs like Word or Excel. However, unless they have a keen eye for detail and design, the do-it-yourself method comes with challenges. An even better alternative is to use professional pre-made invoice templates from a reliable website. These templates give small business owners a great starting point and offer many customization options while at the same time limiting errors. 

To create a professional small business template, complete the following three simple steps:

Step #1: Choose an Invoice Template

Go to Invoicer.ai and download a professionally crafted template in the format of your choice.

These include Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Google Docs, Google Sheets, PDF, and Open Office.

Step #2 - Customize Your Invoice Template

Brand your invoice template with your logo, company colors, etc., and fill in all required fields.

Step #3 - Save Your Customized Invoice Template

To save time, save your new small business invoice template on your computer and use it for future invoices.

Upgrade Your Small Business Invoice Template with Invoicer.ai

Overall, pre-made small business invoice templates are an excellent alternative to creating invoices from scratch. They tend to be more professional by including company branding and information, goods/services rendered, and clearly defined payment terms. Invoicer's selection of professionally-made small business invoice templates will help streamline your invoice process. Unfortunately, as reliable as invoice templates are, they require additional work like double-checking for errors and miscalculations.

Want an even better alternative?

Try our intuitive, convenient, and affordable invoice creator to create invoices in seconds. With Invoicer, effortlessly customize invoices with company branding, track quotes with payment reminders, utilize real-time updates, automation, and so much more, so you get paid on time every time.

Ready to see what Invoicer has to offer?

Get unlimited access 100% FREE for 14-Days, and you'll see how easy invoicing can be!

See how fast and easy Invoicer is.

Read More