How to send invoices and get paid online as a US business
An online invoice gets paid faster when it carries clear payment options, a due date, a link the client can open, and reminders that go out without someone remembering to send them.
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Google completes "send invoice" with "paypal", "on square" and "send invoices and receive payments". The tool matters less than what is on the invoice.
What the invoice should show
| Field | Why |
|---|---|
| Invoice number and date | Reference for both sides |
| Due date | "Net 30" is clearer as a date |
| Itemised work and amount | Fewer questions |
| Payment details | ACH for US clients; local details for clients abroad |
| Card or link option | For small payments |
| Contact for questions | So disputes do not stall |
Payment options by cost
| Option | Cost to you |
|---|---|
| ACH | Little or none |
| Wire | Possible incoming fee |
| Card | 2.9% + 30¢ or more |
| PayPal | 3.49% + fixed fee or more |
Get paid faster
- Invoice the day the work is delivered.
- Use a hosted link so you see when it is opened.
- Send reminders automatically: three days before, on the due date, and seven days after.
- Put the invoice number in the payment reference so it matches automatically.
Clients abroad
A UK client paying a USD invoice by wire costs them a fee and you a delay. GBP details let them pay by Faster Payments.
Paying into the United States: the local rail
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Local rail | ACH for batch payments; RTP and FedNow for instant transfers |
| Run by | Nacha for ACH; The Clearing House for RTP; the Federal Reserve for FedNow |
| Settlement | Same-day ACH within the business day, standard ACH the next; RTP and FedNow in seconds, 24/7, where both banks take part |
Source: Nacha: Same Day ACH. Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.
Where Rivet fits
Rivet's invoicing creates invoices with your company's payment details, hosts them at a link that tracks views and marks them paid when money arrives. USD details come on Starter; EUR and GBP on Growth. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds. See net 30 payment terms.
Questions people ask
How do I send an invoice online?
From invoicing software or your payment provider, as a link or PDF, with payment details and a due date.
What payment options should I offer?
ACH for US business clients, local bank details for clients abroad, and a card option for small or one-off payments.
How do I get paid faster?
Send invoices the day work is done, use clear terms, offer easy payment, and send reminders automatically.
Should I charge late fees?
You can if your contract allows it. Many businesses offer an early payment discount instead.
Sources
Alexia compares the accounts, cards and payment tools companies weigh before they switch, and writes Rivet's market guides for founders in a specific country. Prices in Alexia's comparisons come from each provider's own pricing page on the date given in the article, rules come from the regulator or tax authority that sets them, and every source is listed at the end.
More from Alexia M. →This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; check the sources above and the provider’s current terms before you act on them.
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- online invoicing
- get paid faster
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- invoice reminders
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