A document a seller sends a client requesting payment for work done, listing the services, amounts, due date, and payment terms.
An invoice is the document that actually asks for money. It lists what you did, how much it costs, when payment is due, and how to pay. A $2,500 invoice with no due date and no payment method is an invitation to be paid late.
For sellers, a clean invoice gets you paid faster: itemized work, a clear due date, payment terms like net-15, and a late-fee line all set expectations before the clock starts. For buyers, a proper invoice is your record for bookkeeping and taxes — keep every one.
The detail people skip is the due date. “Due August 15” beats leaving it blank, which quietly means “whenever.” If invoices are slipping, our guide on handling late invoices covers the follow-up, and a reusable invoice template means you’re not rebuilding the layout every month.