Get your customers to pay on time

At BUILT, we know how important it is for your business to get paid on time so that it can run smoothly and grow. Late payments can cause big problems with your cash flow and make it hard for you to pay your own bills. In this blog, our experts give you useful tips and ideas to help you make sure your customers pay you on time. By using these tips, you can improve your cash flow, keep good relationships with your customers, and help your business grow.

Tip 1: Set Clear Expectations

Setting clear and precise payment terms from the start is one of the best ways to get people to pay on time. Make sure that your payment terms are clear and easy to find on your website, on your invoices, and on any other communication channels that are important. Include important information like when payments are due, how they can be made, and if there are any fees for paying late or savings for paying early. By giving this information up front, you let your customers know what to expect and reduce the chance of confusion or disagreement.

Tip 2: Have an invoicing process

Streamlining the way you send out invoices can make it much less likely that you won’t get paid on time. Here are some important steps you can take to improve your billing process:

Send Professional Invoices
Invest in professional tools or templates for making invoices that make you look experienced and organised. A well-made invoice boosts your credibility and professionalism and gives your customers a good image of you.

Include Relevant Details
Make sure your invoices have all the necessary information, such as the name and contact information of the customer, a detailed description of the goods or services given, the quantities, prices, and any taxes or fees that apply. Clear and complete bills make it less likely that there will be misunderstandings or disagreements.

Offer Multiple Payment Options
Offer easy payment choices, like credit card payments, bank transfers, and online payment platforms, to help people pay quickly. By letting your customers choose how they want to pay, you remove possible barriers to getting paid on time.

Tip 3: Have strong communication channels

Communication is very important if you want your customers to pay you on time. Here are some ideas to think about:

Send Customised Reminders
Send your customers polite, personalised payment notes a few days before the due date to help them remember. Personalise these notes for each customer and keep a friendly and professional tone the whole time.

Automate Reminder Systems
Consider putting in place an automated reminder system to make it easier to send out notes for payments. With current customer relationship management (CRM) tools, you can set up automatic reminders to be sent at certain times, saving you time and making you more efficient.

Give Excellent Customer Service
Providing great customer service not only improves your relationship with your customers but also makes them more likely to pay on time. Quickly answer any questions or worries your customers may have about their bills or how they can pay. A committed customer service team can make a big difference in making sure customers are happy and payments are made on time.

Tip 4: Incentivise Early Payments

Offer rewards to get your customers to pay you early. Consider putting these plans into action:

Discounts For Early Payments
Customers are more likely to pay on time if you give them small discounts or other rewards for doing so. This way, both you and your customers win, since your customers save money and you get paid faster.

Reward Programmes
Customers who always pay on time should get special deals, upgrades, or other perks. A loyalty programme not only encourages customers to pay on time, but it also makes customers more loyal and improves business ties that will last for a long time.

Tip 5: Follow Up Overdue Payments

Even if you try your best, sometimes payments may be late. It is important to keep a close eye on your accounts receivable and quickly follow up on payments that are late. Here are some steps to take:

Send Polite Payment Reminders
When a customer’s bill is past due, send them polite but firm notes to pay. Make sure the overdue amount, how long it will be overdue, and any late fees are clear. Remind them how important it is to pay on time and that you are happy to help them with any problems they may be having.

Call or email to start the collection process
If the first reminders don’t work, you might want to call or email the customer personally to talk about the late payment. Stay professional and polite while letting them know how important the matter is. Sometimes, talking to someone in person can clear up mistakes or get things done.

Enforce Late Payment Penalties
Include late payment fees in your terms of payment and use them when you need to. Tell them exactly what will happen if they don’t pay, such as extra fees or court action. Even though punishment should be your last option, it shows that you care about making payments on time and discourages other people from doing the same.

If you would like to discuss this further, please request a call with our team today.