How to Write an Invoice for Your E-Commerce Sales?
The concept of business has evolved throughout the years. The advancement of technology has paved the way for electronic commerce. In e-commerce, a business is able to operate and make commercial invoice transactions over the internet. Businesses set up websites for their customers to browse through and purchase goods.
When a customer chooses to purchase items, an free invoice is sent to the respective customer. Here, the cost, shipping, and mode of payment for such transaction is indicated. However, there are some businesses who choose to provide an invoice only after a payment has been settled.
How to Write an Invoice for Your E-commerce Sales?
Writing a sales invoice for e-commerce is simple, as long as you are able to provide any essential information that your customer would need to know. To make your invoice, refer to the following elements that comprise a standard invoice:
- Include the word “Invoice”. It might be clear to you that the piece of document represents an invoice, but you might not share the same sentiment as your customers. You can always inform them that it’s an invoice or you may just indicate it on the paper.
- Provide a serial number. In manufacturing and delivering goods, each item has its own unique serial number. The same goes for every professional invoice, specify the document’s serial number at a noticeable section of the paper.
- Business name. This is applied for any formal document, such as a receipt, that a company issues. Providing your official business name, and any other name associated with it, serves as a proper identification for the invoice.
- Contact details. Naturally, you would want to let your customers know how they can reach you. Including your street address and phone number will also help establish credibility for your e-commerce business.
- Customer information. Including customer details will be beneficial to you and your customer. This could be for evidence of inquiry, tracking, and transaction agreement.
- Item description. In an simple invoice, your customer is able to review the products purchased to check for any errors. You can include the name, quantity, unit price, and total price of each item.
- Total costs. The total cost should be a summary of what the customer should pay. This is based on product price, taxation, shipping, and other additional costs.
- Modes of payment. Since we are dealing with e-commerce, payments are typically done through online banking, PayPal, or checks. Supporting details for each process should also be provided.
- Terms and conditions. This is essential in letting your customers understand company policies made from business transactions.
Terms and Conditions
We have to admit that as consumers, we pay little attention to the terms and conditions set by a business. Obviously, that won’t do us any favors. The terms and conditions written in an invoice includes details regarding product returns, refunds, repairs, warranties, and guarantees. It’s also best to include a privacy policy for your sales invoice in word. This is to ensure that a customer’s personal and banking information stays confidential, especially when dealing with e-commerce.