I’ve stuck with a simple template for my invoices for ages. Recently, I’ve been curious if a more polished look might speed up payments.
Some clients are prompt, while others drag their feet no matter what. Is investing time in design worth it?
Fancy invoices do not make payments faster. Simple templates get the job done.
What really counts is clear payment terms and persistent follow-ups on late payments. Spend your time on actual work, not on making invoices look nice.
Payment speed depends on a few basics that aren’t about design:
- Clear terms (net 15, net 30, whatever)
- Complete info (bank details, invoice number, work description)
- Following up on late payments
I’ve used the same boring template for years. Sometimes I get paid in 3 days, sometimes 6 weeks. Same format every time.
Fast-paying clients are organized. Slow ones are drowning in approvals and cash flow problems.
Stick with basic and spend your energy finding clients who actually pay on time.
Basic templates work fine. Getting paid quickly has more to do with your client than how your invoice looks.
Tried both - can’t tell the difference. Started with some ancient Word template, then paid someone to make it look professional with matching colors and logo.
Clients paid at exactly the same speed. Fast payers stayed fast, slow payers stayed slow.
What actually worked? Switched from monthly to twice-monthly invoicing. Smaller amounts get processed faster. Also started calling for follow-ups instead of just emailing.
Save yourself the trouble and keep it simple.
Mine looks like garbage but people still pay me