How to create and send invoices using paid and free online tools:
- Wave Apps
- Xero
- Canva
- Word
Which one is best?
This is a trick question but essentially it depends what stage of business you’re in.
ARE YOU A NEW OR SEASONED ENTREPRENEUR?
Are you just getting started on your business journey and setting up your business foundations for the first time?
If this is you, keeping your expenses low is pretty important especially if you’re not bringing in consistent cash yet.
If you want an easy to use spreadsheet to plug in your start-up costs, income and expenses you’ll want to check out my Financial Planning for your Business spreadsheet. HERE.
Let’s check out some invoicing options for you…
1. FREE – Wave Apps
What I love about Wave Apps is that it’s 100% free with no trials, no limitations, and no hidden fees. Use it as much as you want, for as long as you want, and they won’t charge a cent. Wave Apps includes invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning.
I started using this after using a spreadsheet and manually plugging in all of my numbers.
It’s definitely worth checking out HERE.
2. PAID – Xero
This is my accounting software of choice – Xero! I can set up my bank feeds in Xero and have my accountant log in to view my numbers at tax time. No more scrambling around trying to find receipts.
But when I first started out I was using spreadsheets, then Wave Apps and then eventually it made sense to move to a move sophisticated accounting software.
Check out Xero HERE.
3. FREE – Canva Template
If you haven’t used Canva yet it’s time to come out from under that rock.
This tech tool is an essential in your business for creating every template and graphic you will ever need in your business. Without having to be a designer.
There are some great invoice templates to use in the free version of Canva. You can add your own branding colours and logo, download as a PDF and then email it off to the client.
Canva is an essential tech tool – check it out HERE.
4. FREE – Word or Google Docs Invoice Template
https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/microsoft-365/free-office-online-for-the-web
Another handy way to create and send invoices is by using Microsoft Word. They have some ready to go invoice templates that you can plug and play with.
Then all you have to do is PDF and send off via email.
This is a great option if you’re not sending many invoices and you’d prefer to do things manual until you get the ball rolling.
If you’re a Word Wizard then it’s worth checking out HERE.
If you’re not into Word you can do the same thing in Google Docs and use an invoice template from their template library. I’m a big fan of Google Docs!
So there you have it, some choices about how to create and send invoices. Which one will you be using in your business?
