Using Electronic Invoicing for Your Business
Whether you're an independent freelancer or a major corporation, tracking down clients for payment by phone or by mail can be a time-consuming and unreliable task. Paper bills have a way of getting “misplaced,” while card information is less secure when sent by mail or spoken over the phone. Luckily, automated electronic invoicing is now a common feature offered by many merchant account providers. Email invoicing gives you a more convenient way to collect outstanding payments and keep your cash flow steady. It also keeps the payment process simple and secure for your clients, ensuring that you get paid faster.
To help you find the right credit card processor to provide an online invoicing solution for your business, we've put together the following list of the best electronic invoicing services. The providers on this list offer various digital invoicing solutions for businesses large and small. More importantly, however, they have all earned reputations for providing fair, transparent pricing and excellent customer service. Some of the companies on this list are ideal for small or solo sellers, while others can assist larger merchants up to and including enterprise-level corporations. In order to find the best fit for your business, we recommend that you contact several providers and compare pricing and services before signing up.
What to Look for with Invoice Credit Card Processing
For business owner looking to send electronic invoices and receive payments, it's essential to choose the right credit card processor to facilitate a seamless and quick payment process. The easier you make it for your customers to pay you, the faster you get paid. Below are some key features you should look for when evaluating potential payment providers.
Easy-to-Use Invoicing Platform
First and foremost, make sure the credit card processor offers an easy-to-use invoicing platform. Look for a system that allows you to create and send invoices quickly, with the ability to customize them with your branding and payment terms. The platform should also provide a simple way for your customers to pay their invoices online.
Transparent and Competitive Processing Fees
Next, pay attention to the payment processing fees charged by the provider. Some processors charge a flat fee per transaction, while others charge a percentage of the total amount. It's important to understand the fee structure and calculate how much it will cost you to process payments through the platform. The best pricing structure in the credit card processing is called “Interchange-plus” and is the lowest cost and most transparent form of processing fees. All of the providers below offer Interchange-plus merchant account pricing.
Robust Security Measures
You'll also want to ensure the credit card processor has strong security measures in place to protect your business and your customers' payment information. Look for a provider that is PCI compliant and uses encryption technology to safeguard data. All of the processors meet or exceed industry standards.
Integration Options
Finally, consider the integration options offered by the credit card processor. If you already use accounting software or other business tools, it's helpful to choose a payment provider that integrates seamlessly with these platforms. This can streamline your payment processing and make it easier to manage your finances.
Our Picks for Electronic Invoice Merchant Services
Helcim
Benefits of Using Helcim for Invoice Payments
As an independent reviewer of credit card processing services, I have found Helcim to be the best option for businesses looking to accept invoice payments. Below are the benefits of using Helcim for invoicing.
User-Friendly Interface
One of the most impressive features of Helcim's invoicing service is its user-friendly interface. Setting up an invoice is straightforward and intuitive, making it easy for businesses to get started quickly. Additionally, Helcim allows businesses to customize their invoices with their branding, adding a professional touch to their payment process.
Competitive Credit Card Processing Fees
Helcim also offers competitive pricing for invoice payments. With no monthly fees and a low transaction rate that gets cheaper as you process more payments, businesses can save money compared to other payment providers. Furthermore, Helcim has transparent pricing with no hidden fees, ensuring businesses have a clear understanding of their payment processing costs.
Top-Notch Security
Another significant advantage of using Helcim for invoice payments is the security it provides. Helcim is PCI compliant and uses industry-standard encryption technology to safeguard sensitive payment information. This gives businesses and their customers peace of mind when conducting transactions online.
Overall, Helcim is an excellent option for businesses looking to accept invoice payments. Its user-friendly interface, competitive pricing, and top-notch security make it a smart choice for businesses of all sizes.
For more information, visit Helcim's website here or call (888) 506-7812
Host Merchant Services
Host Merchant Services is a Newark, Delaware-based merchant account provider that is well-suited for most general business types and some high-risk merchants. The company's products and services include point-of-sale solutions (with specific packages for the restaurant, salon, professional service, and contractor sectors), online marketing tools, an online payment gateway and virtual terminal, mobile credit card processing, gift and loyalty programs, merchant cash advance, and offshore merchant accounts. Host Merchant Services specializes in e-commerce businesses and provides a free website and email address to new merchants who require them. Host Merchant Services offers electronic invoicing services to all of its users.
Host Merchant Services has received only positive feedback on public forums, with most reviewers singling out the company's customer service for praise. Host offers interchange-plus pricing with no early termination fees to all of its merchants, meaning that users will enjoy the most transparent pricing model and can cancel service without penalty. The BBB gives Host an “A+” rating, and CPO also gives the company an “A+.”
For more information, visit the Host Merchant Services website or call (888) 727-4538.
PaymentCloud
Based in Woodland Hills, California, PaymentCloud is a merchant account provider that specializes in serving standard to high-risk business types. The company's products and services include point-of-sale solutions, mobile phone swipers, an online payment gateway and virtual terminal, EMV-compatible terminals, and merchant cash advances. Backed by an industry leader in Authorize.Net, PaymentCloud's virtual terminal allows merchants to send online invoices for customers to remit payments. Invoicing through PaymentCloud is enhanced by an encrypted link that can be provided to customers to securely input their personal information to easily pay an invoice online.
PaymentCloud provides a dedicated account rep to all new merchants for the life of the account. The company has not received any negative complaints on consumer forums, and it customizes its pricing according to each merchant's business type and processing history. The BBB does not maintain a profile for PaymentCloud at this time, but CPO gives the company an “A.”
For more information, visit the PaymentCloud website or call (888) 506-7859.
CDG Commerce
Located in Chesapeake, Virginia, CDG Commerce offers invoicing through PastePay Cloud POS and email and text. CDG has been privately owned since 1998 and offers a proprietary payment gateway (as well as a discount on Authorize.Net's payment gateway), a virtual terminal, QuickBooks integration, mobile phone processing, sales reporting, security breach protection, and vulnerability scanning. CDG Commerce is ideal for merchants that require a simple, low-cost, integrated method for accepting online and in-person payments.
CDG Commerce only charges a low, fixed fee per transaction and offers competitive contractual terms, including no annual fees, monthly minimums, or termination fees. CDG also offers next-day funding to most business types. CDG has earned an “A+” rating in our review as well as an “A+” rating with the BBB.
For more information, see the CDG Commerce website or call (888) 393-1079.
Additional Options
Shopify
Shopify is primarily known as an e-commerce platform for online merchants, but the company also offers a point-of-sale software solution for iPad and iPhone. For invoicing, Shopify offers a free invoicing feature on its website. The Shopify POS app can accept cards via a headphone jack card swiper, or a $129 EMV reader and includes features like inventory syncing with a web store, emailed receipts, automatic tax calculations, basic email marketing, and in-store refunds. These online payment options and the familiarity of the Shopify brand are great for customers, who will feel safe and comfortable using the service.
The Shopify payment service can also be paired with a Shopify online store, which comes with numerous customization options. Shopify POS is a great fit for merchants who would like to accept payments on-site using their phones as well as through online billing. Shopify has an “A+” rating with the BBB, and we give it an “A+” rating as well.
For more information, visit the Shopify website or call (888) 746-7439.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sending Electronic Invoices Credit Card Processing
A merchant account is a type of bank account that allows businesses to accept payments in multiple ways, typically debit or credit cards. It acts as an intermediary between a business's bank account and the payment card networks, facilitating the transfer of funds.
A merchant account is not strictly necessary for sending electronic invoices, but it is required to process online payments. If you want to allow your customers to pay their invoices online, directly from the invoice itself, you will need a merchant account.
There are several key factors to consider:
– Ease of use: You should be able to easily create and send invoices.
– Integration: The system should integrate well with any existing accounting, CRM, or e-commerce platforms that you use.
– Fees: Understand the fees associated with the service. These may include setup fees, transaction fees, and monthly fees.
– Customer service: Good customer service is vital, especially if you encounter any problems.
– Security: The provider should comply with all relevant payment security standards to protect your customers' data.
Start by listing down your specific requirements, such as your average transaction size, the volume of transactions you process, and your preferred methods of payment acceptance. Then, review the terms and conditions of each provider, along with their fee structures. Consider their reputation, customer reviews, and level of customer support. Finally, check if they integrate well with your existing systems.
Popular options at that time included Stripe, PayPal, and Square. These platforms offered features like electronic invoicing, payment processing, and integration with popular e-commerce and accounting software. However, always do your own research to find the best solution for your specific needs.
Yes, in some cases, providers may be willing to negotiate the fees, especially if you are processing a high volume of transactions. However, not all providers are open to negotiation. It's always worth asking.
Yes, handling payments always involves some level of risk. Make sure the provider is compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Additionally, services should offer features like encryption, tokenization, and fraud prevention to protect your and your customers' data.
Yes, you can change your merchant account provider. However, you might want to check if there are any termination fees or contractual obligations with your current provider before you switch.
William
I am writing this note to express my deep gratitude for your enlightening piece on “Best Merchant Accounts for Sending Electronic Invoices”. As a business owner working to streamline my invoicing processes, your guide has been a vital resource.
The way you dissected each merchant account, their unique advantages, possible drawbacks, and distinctive features, was not only highly informative but also engaging. The clarity and directness of your writing enabled me to better comprehend this multifaceted subject.
The care you took in comparing and contrasting features such as invoice customization options, transaction fees, customer support, and integration capabilities, was admirable. Your thorough discussion on the ease of use, security measures, and automation features across different providers was particularly beneficial, as these are significant aspects to consider when transitioning to electronic invoicing.
I am genuinely grateful for the hard work, research, and thoughtfulness that you have invested into this guide. You’ve clearly cut through the clutter of the merchant accounts landscape, providing a roadmap that makes it much easier for business owners like myself to make informed decisions.
Thank you once more for your invaluable insights and unwavering commitment to delivering quality content. Your work is genuinely appreciated.
Dave
I was hesitant to start accepting credit card payments through invoices, but it has been a game-changer for my cash flow. When looking for a credit card processor, the invoicing platform is a must-have feature.