If you are interested in starting a catering business or are currently in the process, you must have a lot on your mind to deal with. Catering business involves matters such as providing food, booking orders for events and meetings, collecting payments.
Talking about methods of taking payments from the customers, the best way is to get it done through automated invoicing. Using free invoice templates has a number of benefits when integrated into your catering business.
Nowadays, invoices can be generated by invoicing software. This makes things easy such as cutting out repetitive processes, keeping records and details, and showcasing your business identity.
Step-by-step online invoices for catering
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Before you start with online invoicing for your catering business, there are a few things you need to understand. Invoicing is a part of service that you give to your customer, and so it must be done well to keep your customers and help your business grow successfully. Here we have created a guide for you to help you integrate online invoicing in your catering business.
1. Pricing strategy
To keep customers informed about the prices, you have to have a method to price your catering services on the basis of the cost of the ingredients used, production, gas and electricity consumption, number of staff, transport, and marketing.
After setting the prices, you need to display it on your business website, so your clients get to know and see it. So there should be no hidden charges, be clear with all the service charges and service descriptions.
2. Decide on deposits
Your invoicing software also has the option to request and receive deposits for an advance payment from the customers. The deposit amount is set by you and can be charged up to 50%.
3. Build your invoice
You can design your own free invoice template, here is what you need to include in the invoice:
- Invoice number
- Invoice issue date
- Business name
- Billing information
- List of services or goods provided
- Price including GST
- due date
Invoice is used as a sales tool and showcases your business is a great way provided it must be done right. The logo, colors should be the same as it appears on your business website
4. Set up recurring invoices
You can also set up recurring invoices, this way you don’t have to send the invoices manually each time to your clients through your invoicing software.
To send recurring invoices, the contract is made with the client about the amount. These recurring invoices are emailed automatically to the client, and on the request it can be terminated.
5. Set your payment terms
In the catering business, you usually get paid on time for your services, but you need to make sure you have discussed your payment terms clearly about when and how you must be paid.
You can do this with a contract paper signed by the customer. Your invoice must have a due date visible clearly. You must also discuss the late payment fees also. This facilitates your financial operations and develops a healthy customer experience for your catering business.
