10 tips to get invoices paid faster
1. Send your invoice immediately after delivery
The sooner you invoice, the sooner you get paid. Yet many businesses wait until the end of the month. By invoicing directly after a delivery or completed service, you speed up the payment cycle. At that point, your customer is still actively engaged, which increases the likelihood of prompt payment.
2. Encourage customers to pay on time
Reward prompt payments. Consider small discounts for payments within 8 days or communicate clear terms with positive incentives. This psychological nudge makes customers more aware of their payment responsibilities.
3. Add an iDEAL payment link to your invoices and reminders
Making payment easier leads to faster results. Including an iDEAL link lowers the barrier for immediate payment. Research shows that invoices with such a link are paid 9 days faster on average.
4. Communicate clearly through your invoice
A well-structured invoice prevents unnecessary delays. Ensure it includes:
- the correct invoice date and reference
- a clear description of the service or product
- the correct VAT rate
- a clearly stated payment term
Errors often lead to questions, which can delay payments.
5. Automate your payment reminders
Many companies follow up too late. With automated reminders, you send the right message at the right time—friendly, professional and effective. Payt users save up to 80% of their time on manual follow-ups.
6. Send a reminder before the due date
A common mistake is sending reminders only after the deadline has passed. By sending a gentle reminder just before the due date, you increase the chance of timely payment. It also reduces the chance the invoice is forgotten or overlooked.
Example: If the due date is 30 July, send a short email on 27 July:
“Just a quick note: invoice 2024-127 is due soon. Let us know if you have any questions.”
7. Keep personal contact with your customers
When a payment is late, a personal follow-up often works best. A short call or email shows that you’re attentive and encourages action.
Example: “Hi [name], I noticed that invoice X is still outstanding. Can I help with anything?”
8. Establish fixed payment days
Encourage your clients to pay on fixed dates (e.g. the 1st or 15th of the month). It adds structure to both their and your cash flow planning. Large organisations often use this method already.
According to IFF Research (2024), fixed payment days significantly increase the chances of on-time payment.
9. Check the creditworthiness of new customers
A simple credit check can prevent trouble later. If there’s a higher risk, consider advance payments or shorter terms.
10. Analyse your outstanding receivables
Knowing your outstanding items helps you detect risks early. By analysing your debtor portfolio, you identify which customers consistently pay late, where large amounts are overdue, or which sectors carry higher risk.
Segment your customers based on payment behaviour, prioritise your follow-ups and decide when to use debt collection or adjust terms.