5 Big Disadvantages of Electronic Invoices

Electronic invoicing is all of the rage these days. In some cases, it can save businesses money or get them paid faster than sending traditional hard copy invoices. However, only sending electronic invoices can create issues that outsource printing and mailing can solve..

Should you be sending only electronic invoices, should you be sending only hard copy invoices, or should you be sending both electronic invoices and hard copy invoices? Below, we’ve outlined five of the major disadvantages of electronic invoices:

• Security issues. Sending invoices electronically comes with some risks that are not present with hard copy invoices. At Towne Mailer, our clients upload their invoices to us on a secure server before they are printed at our own location.
• Spam filters. An electronic invoice may be paid faster – if your client ever sees it. In some cases, email service providers marks invoices as spam, sending them to a folder than most users rarely look at. It can be difficult to know when your invoices are caught in spam filters and frustrating to communicate to clients how to alter their spam filters to allow your invoices through.
• Bookkeeping issues. Electronic invoices can make bookkeeping tasks harder for your clients and customers. Some may need to download the invoice or print the invoice for their records. Paper invoices can be filed quickly and easily.
• Offline customers. Especially in certain types of businesses, your clients or customers may not have access to their email from their home or may not even use an email account. Other customers may greatly prefer to receive a paper invoice. This may especially be true of senior customers or customers in rural locations.
  
• Fees. If your business uses a service to send electronic invoices, you will most likely need to pay the service a fee in the form of a small percentage of the payments you receive. These fees can add up quickly.
  

Some types of businesses and companies benefit far more than others by sending hard copy invoices. It is vital to look at the pros and cons of both types of invoicing in order to better understand what is right for your needs.

Request A Free Quote From Towne Mailer

At Towne Mailer we understand that electronic invoices is the best choice for some businesses. However, we have also heard directly from our clients that sending hard copy invoices – either instead of or in combination with electronic invoices – works best for their business. If you know that your business would benefit from sending paper invoices to your clients or customers, we are here to help. Call our office today to learn more about our services, ask us a question, or request a free quote.