After sending out 863 invoices over my freelance career, I like to think I know a thing or two about proper invoicing. An invoice serves an important purpose – it clearly outlines the services provided and payment due, while also creating a paper trail for your records. Having a solid template ready to go will make the process much smoother.
In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about creating effective freelance and self-employed invoice templates.
By the end, you’ll understand all the key considerations for making professional invoices that get you paid quickly and maintain clarity. I’ll also recommend some top-notch invoice generator tools and templates you can use right away. So let’s get started!
Essential Information to Include
- Your business name and contact info
- Client name and info
- Invoice number
- Date issued
- Payment terms
- Itemized list of services provided
- Total amount due
- Other details like project name, timeline, etc.
Formatting Best Practices
- Organized, easy-to-read layout
- Consistent structure from invoice to invoice
- Invoice number and date clearly visible
- Explicit payment terms and due date
- Professional appearance
Customizing Your Template
- Match to your brand identity
- Include key details for your business
- Allow for itemization of services
- Save as a reusable template
Additional Tips for Staying Organized
- Use template for every new client
- Log invoices sent and payments received
- Set reminders for payment due dates
- Store invoices securely for records
5 Of The Best Invoice Template Generators
https://wise.com/us/invoice-templates/freelancer
Wise offers a variety of free, customizable invoice templates for freelancers and self-employed workers. Download professional-looking templates in Word, Google Docs, or Excel formats. Their templates are designed specifically for freelancers, with all the necessary fields and an uncluttered layout. Wise also provides an invoice generator tool to quickly create invoices. Their comprehensive guide covers everything from essential invoice information to formatting best practices, ensuring you make professional invoices that get you paid promptly.
https://freeinvoicebuilder.com/freelance-invoice-template-online/
FreeInvoiceBuilder offers a free, customizable invoice template and generator specifically for freelancers. It includes sample items tailored to various professions like web developers, marketers, designers, and more. The template allows you to add your logo, select currencies, include taxes, and instantly download a PDF. Their guide covers best practices for freelance invoicing including when to send invoices, required invoice elements, and tips to get paid faster.
https://www.waveapps.com/invoice-templates/self-employed
Wave offers several free, customizable invoice templates for self-employed and small business owners including freelancers, consultants, sole proprietors and more. Download templates in Word, Excel, PDF, Google Docs and Sheets formats. The templates are professionally designed and easy to tailor with your business branding and payment details. Wave also provides free invoicing software with unlimited invoices, automated reminders, integrated payments and robust accounting features to save you time as a self-employed professional.
https://www.freshbooks.com/en-gb/invoice-templates/self-employed-invoice
FreshBooks offers free, customizable invoice templates designed specifically for self-employed professionals and small business owners. Download templates in Word, Excel, Google Docs, Sheets and PDF formats. Their templates provide areas to detail your services/products, costs, payment terms, and more. FreshBooks also provides a free online invoice generator and paid invoicing software with robust features like recurring invoices, reminders, integrated payments, and accounting. Their self-employment resources offer tax, deduction, and business strategy advice.
https://www.jotform.com/pdf-templates/invoice
Jotform offers over 70 free, customizable invoice templates for all business types and industries. Download templates in PDF format that you can easily edit with their drag-and-drop editor. Add your logo, colors, payment integrations, and more. Their diverse selection includes templates for medical invoices, freelancers, consultants, construction, lawn care, graphic design, and standard billing. Jotform also provides invoice approval software to streamline workflows.