You did the work. You sent the invoice. Now... you wait.
When you set up your invoice, there is a small, easy-to-miss dropdown box called "Terms." What you put in that box dictates when you eat. Understanding these codes is the first step to managing your cash flow.
Common Terms Defined
Due Upon Receipt
Meaning: The client must pay immediately (usually within 24-48 hours).
Best For: Small amounts, one-off projects, or new clients you don't trust yet.
Net 30
Meaning: The net (full) amount is due 30 days after the invoice date.
Best For: Corporate clients. Large companies have accounting cycles (they might only cut checks on the 1st and 15th). Asking them for "Due on Receipt" is often impossible for them to process.
Net 15
Meaning: Due in 15 days.
Best For: Small to medium businesses. It gives them a pay cycle to process it, but doesn't leave you waiting a full month.
The "2/10 Net 30" Trick
Want to get paid faster? Use this specialized term.
It translates to: "The full amount is due in 30 days, BUT if you pay within 10 days, you get a 2% discount."
Why it works: Smart CFOs love this. A 2% risk-free return on their cash is better than they get in the bank. They will prioritize your invoice over others just to save that 2%. If you have cash flow issues, giving up 2% profit is often worth getting the cash 20 days early.
You can configure these terms easily in the settings of our Invoice Generator.