Getting paid
Invoice payment
An invoice payment is the funds a buyer sends to a seller to settle the amount owed on an invoice, by or before its due date.
How invoice payment works
Once a client receives an invoice, they pay the total due using a method you accept — card, ACH bank transfer, PayPal, check, or cash. When the money arrives, you mark the invoice as paid and the transaction is complete.
The payment terms on the invoice set the deadline. "Due on receipt" asks for immediate payment, while "Net 30" gives the client 30 days. Late payments may trigger a reminder or a late fee, depending on your terms.
Getting paid faster
The biggest lever on payment speed is friction: the easier it is to pay, the sooner you’re paid. Invoices with a one-click online payment link get settled faster than those that only list bank details.
Shorter terms, clear due dates, and automatic reminders also help. Businesses that accept online payments and send automated nudges typically wait days, not weeks, for their money.
Example: A cleaning business emails an invoice with a "Pay now" card link. The client taps it on their phone and pays in under a minute — no checks, no waiting for the next office visit.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What are common invoice payment methods?
The most common are credit/debit card, ACH bank transfer, PayPal, paper check, and cash. Offering an online option (card or ACH) typically gets you paid fastest.
How can I make it easier for clients to pay an invoice?
Add a one-click online payment link, state the due date clearly, and turn on automatic reminders. Reducing the steps to pay is the single most effective way to get paid sooner.
Related terms
Payment terms
Payment terms are the conditions on an invoice that state when payment is due and how it should be made — for example "Net 30" or "Due on receipt."
Net 30
Net 30 is a payment term that means the full invoice balance is due within 30 days of the invoice date.
Past-due invoice
A past-due invoice is an invoice that has not been paid by its due date, making the balance overdue.
Invoice
An invoice is a document a seller sends to a buyer that itemizes goods or services provided and requests payment by a stated due date.
Put it into practice
WaffleInvoice lets you create branded invoices, set payment terms, collect payments online, and automate reminders — free for unlimited invoices.
Collect invoice payments online Browse the glossaryNo credit card required.