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INVOICING

HoneyBook vs 17Hats: Find the Best Invoicing and Payment Solution for Freelancers and Service Professionals

Discover how HoneyBook and 17Hats compare in terms of invoicing, contracts, and payment solutions for freelancers and service professionals

June 2026·7 min read

You've spent hours perfecting a project, and the client finally confirms the details. However, when it's time to get paid, you're left waiting, wondering if you'll ever receive the payment. This is a frustrating and all-too-common experience for freelancers and service professionals. In this post, we'll explore the best invoicing and payment solutions to help you get paid faster and more efficiently, comparing HoneyBook and 17Hats along the way.

Why this keeps happening

As a freelancer or service professional, you face unique challenges when it comes to getting paid. Without a clear contract or payment terms, clients may feel hesitant to commit to payment, leading to late or non-payment. Even with a contract in place, issues like invoicing too late or not having a deposit system in place can cause cash flow problems and lost revenue. It's time to take control of your finances and find a solution that works for you.

Real example

Meet Emily, a freelance graphic designer who spent hours creating a custom logo for a client. However, when it came time to send the final invoice, Emily forgot to include a payment link, causing the client to delay payment. Emily ended up waiting two weeks for the payment, which could have been avoided with a clear and timely invoicing process.

The habits that fix this permanently

These are the non-negotiables for getting paid reliably in your profession:

Use a contract that outlines payment terms and conditions to protect yourself and your business
Send invoices promptly and include a clear payment link to make it easy for clients to pay
Set up a deposit system to secure payment and reduce the risk of non-payment
Use a payment gateway that integrates with your invoicing system to streamline payment processing
Automate reminders and follow-ups to ensure timely payment and minimize late payments
Consider using a service that offers AI-powered contracts and payment links to make invoicing easier and more efficient

How to implement this step by step

01

Set Up a Clear Contract with Payment Terms

When creating a contract, make sure to include clear payment terms and conditions, such as the payment amount, due date, and any late fees or penalties. This will protect you and your business from disputes and ensure that clients understand their payment obligations. For example, if you're working with a client on a project, you might include a clause that states: 'A 50% deposit is due upon signing of this contract, with the balance due upon completion of the project.' This will ensure that clients understand the payment schedule and are more likely to pay on time.

02

Send Invoices Promptly with Clear Payment Links

When sending an invoice, make sure to include a clear payment link that clients can use to pay promptly. This can be done through a payment gateway like Stripe or PayPal, which integrates with your invoicing system. For example, if you're using a platform like HoneyBook, you can easily create a payment link and send it to your client with the invoice. This will make it easy for clients to pay and reduce the risk of late payments.

03

Set Up a Deposit System to Secure Payment

Consider setting up a deposit system to secure payment and reduce the risk of non-payment. This can be done through a contract clause or by requiring a deposit upfront. For example, if you're working with a client on a project, you might require a 20% deposit upfront, with the balance due upon completion of the project. This will ensure that clients are committed to payment and reduce the risk of non-payment.

04

Automate Reminders and Follow-Ups

Automate reminders and follow-ups to ensure timely payment and minimize late payments. This can be done through a service like Becflow, which offers AI-powered contracts and payment links that automate reminders and follow-ups. For example, if a client is late with payment, the system can send an automated reminder with a clear payment link, reducing the risk of late payments and ensuring that clients pay on time.

05

Consider Using a Service with AI-Powered Contracts and Payment Links

Consider using a service like Becflow that offers AI-powered contracts and payment links. This can make invoicing easier and more efficient, automating reminders and follow-ups and reducing the risk of late payments. For example, if you're using a platform like 17Hats, you can easily create a contract with AI-powered payment links that automate reminders and follow-ups, ensuring that clients pay on time and reducing the risk of disputes.

The Becflow solution

At Becflow, we offer a range of invoicing and payment solutions designed specifically for freelancers and service professionals. Our AI-powered contracts and payment links automate reminders and follow-ups, ensuring timely payment and minimizing late payments. With Becflow, you can easily create and send invoices, set up a deposit system, and automate payment processing, all in one place. Try Becflow today and take control of your finances!

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