How to create a small business invoice.

A young woman learns how to create a small business invoice with Adobe Acrobat.

Cash flow is crucial for small businesses. Follow these steps to create an invoice to keep your small business growing.

Modern technology enables small companies to run lean, often from anywhere. Keeping your small business profitable will take hard work and organization. To help you learn about creating invoices for small businesses in a way that’s efficient and works smoothly with your other business tools, here are a few tips to help you get started.

Does a small business invoice need to be signed?

While learning how to create an invoice for a small business, it’s crucial to address the following question — do invoices have to be signed? Let’s delve into this important aspect of invoicing.

You might not automatically think of a signature when you think of an invoice, and your invoice can actually perform its primary function without a signature. Many invoices get paid without issues, regardless of a signature. But without a signature, your invoice is not technically a legal document.

Since a signature makes your invoice a legal document, requiring a signature could protect you and your business. If the invoice is signed, possible dispute or non-payment is easier to resolve. Fortunately, it can be effortless for your clients to sign your PDFs.

Critical info for creating invoices for small businesses.

Include most of the following information when you create your small business invoice:

Steps for how to create an invoice for a small business.

If you’re a small business, creating an invoice will quickly become routine. Fortunately, it’s a simple process that will become easier with experience. To learn how to create an invoice for a small business, start by following these four steps:

  1. Make a professional header for your invoice. Using your branding in a sleek and simple way is the best way to ensure it looks professional.
  2. Determine what you’re itemizing in your invoice and make a simple chart. Are you invoicing at an hourly rate? You may be charging for specific services. Either way, make this clear to your customer and easy to read.
  3. Calculate and include the total in a place that stands out on the page. This could also be an excellent place to showcase any discounts the customer got (which could help them feel happier about the total).
  4. Include a signature line if you want the invoice to be a legal document, and close with a small note thanking your client for working with you.

You can easily create your own invoice in any word processing software and then convert it to PDF for a more professional and secure way to share. While creating your own invoice isn’t difficult, you can always look for invoice templates to use to simplify even more.

Customize your small business invoice.

Use your creative talents to create business documents with customizable elements that reflect what’s unique about your company. Use the same color schemes, images, and logos throughout all your printed and digital materials to help your customers become familiar with your brand.

Best-in-class tools for creating a small business invoice template.

The number of business software programs and mobile apps available today is staggering. Choosing the right one is critical to keeping your workflow easy and hassle-free.

Adobe offers all the tools you need to create proposals, invoices, contracts, and more. A custom and professional invoice will strengthen your existing relationships and allow your small business to grow.