As a small business owner, you need to know how to create an invoice for your product or service, because an invoice helps you get paid. The invoice offers customers a detailed explanation of fees and is helpful for record-keeping for both your customer and you. Many small business owners rely on an invoice generator to create error-free invoices for professional services.
In this article, we'll cover how you can write a self-employed invoice that can simplify your small business billing process, help you look professional, and keep you organized.
Free Self-Employed Invoice Template
To help streamline invoicing, small business owners can access Skynova's self-employed invoice template. This free invoice template keeps you organized while creating a professional invoice for your customers that can help you get paid faster. Completely online and printable, you can customize the invoice template for your small business and can conveniently bill anytime and anywhere.
The freelance invoice template is easy to use, and you can modify the text bars to suit your business needs. Accessible on your computer, phone, or tablet, you can stay on top of billing while issuing invoices with ease.
In the following sections, you can learn how you can easily create a customized, error-free, and simple invoice for your small business.
How to Create an Invoice for a Small Business
When creating an invoice for your small business, the Skynova invoice template removes all the guesswork. Here, we cover vital information to include on your invoice.
Your Name or Company Name
At the left margin of the invoice template, you can find a "From" section. Enter your name or business name if you have one. There is also space for your business address. Whether this is your residence or office space, include the correct contact information for federal tax purposes.
Customer Name or Company Name
Just below your information, you can find a "To" section. Here you can enter the client's name and address. Depending on your industry, your customer may be an organization or individual. Either way, list the person or business you are billing for your freelance work.
When you sign up for a free account with Skynova, you have the option of adding a customer list from which you can draw information. As you add customers to your base, you can easily access them with the drop-down arrow. With just one click, the system can autofill their information into the text boxes, saving you time from manually entering each time.
Invoice Number, Date, and Due Date
Unlike creating an invoice from scratch each time, the Skynova invoice template automatically generates the next unique invoice number in sequence for you. There is no thumbing through files trying to find the right invoice number. Just enter "1" for your first invoice, and Skynova takes care of the rest. The numbering system eliminates the risk of duplicate invoice numbers, which can complicate your billing and accounting process.
Just under the invoice number is the "Invoice Date," which is the date you wrote the invoice. You can customize the invoice date by clicking the calendar image located inside the text box. You can easily go back days, weeks, months, or postdate your invoice for a later time.
Next, you can see the "Due Date" box. The due date lets your customers know when you expect to get paid. It's important to set clear guidelines about payment for products or services early on to avoid confusion or questions later. The system automatically enters the due date as the same date it created the invoice. If payment is not due upon receipt, you can easily change this day to any agreed-upon payment terms you have made with your customer.
From here, you're ready to get into the billing breakdown portion of the invoice. Here you can include things like your hourly rate for freelance work and payment options.
Item
When entering the item, you can choose from the following in the drop-down menu:
- Days
- Hours
- Product
- Service
- Expense
- Discount
Choose the item that best indicates what you are billing.
Description
Under the description tab, you can enter details that further explain the item, such as graphic design or other types of professional service. Adding descriptions helps clarify what you have billed in case questions come up later.
Unit Price
The unit price is the price per day, hour, product, service, expense, or discount. Enter the standard or negotiated price inside this box.
Quantity
The quantity, of course, is how many. Let's say you charge a set fee of $300 per day, and you work for three days. Enter the number "3" inside this text box.
Amount
The last column shown is "Amount." The system automatically calculates the amount after you enter the unit price and quantity. Just click your mouse inside the "Amount" text box, and the calculation appears. Using automatic calculations helps you create an error-free invoice.
If there is more than one item, click the "New Line" box and enter the information for the additional items.
Subtotal
To the lower right of the invoice, you can find the subtotal. This area is also automatically calculated for you.
Total Amount Paid
The purpose of the "Total Amount Paid'' is to enter after the customer pays. Once you save the invoice, you can enter a full or partial payment to the invoice and resend it if necessary.
Balance Due
The "Balance Due" highlighted in yellow draws the eye to the most important part of the invoice. It lets the customer know how much to pay you.
If the customer makes a partial payment, the "Balance Due" automatically updates to the new total and is ready for you to resend.
Invoice Notes
To the bottom left, you can see "Invoice Notes." Here you can enter accepted payment methods such as PayPal, credit or debit card, cash, or check. You can also leave your phone number in case your client or customer has any questions. And don't forget to leave the phrase: "Thank you for your business!"
Customize
The Skynova invoice template is customizable. You can add your company logo or P.O. number. There is also a drop-down menu to customize the date format. Language options are available and apply to the finished invoice. These include:
- Danish
- Dutch
- English
- French
- German
- Italian
- Norwegian
- Portuguese
- Spanish
If a sales tax applies to your small business, you can add a sales tax column to the invoice. Once checked, click the drop-down arrow and click "New Tax." A box will pop up, and you can easily enter the tax rate and apply it to the item.
Are you looking for industry-specific guidance? Skynova's Industry Tailored Invoice Templates help a wide variety of freelancers create custom service invoices. Check out tips and best practices to help you in your specific industry.
Creating Invoices Is Easy With Skynova
With Skynova, you can create, print, and send professional invoices to your customers and help keep your day-to-day operations organized. Other popular templates include Estimate and Quote for service.
Skynova invoicing software helps small businesses streamline paperwork so you can work on your business.
Notice to the Reader
The content within this article is a general guide and may not apply to your specific situation. Always consult with a professional accountant to ensure you're meeting billing and accounting standards.