Running a small business means wearing all the hats—sales, service, marketing, operations, and yep, getting paid. It’s easy for accounts receivable to become one of those things that just sort of… gets pushed to the side. After all, following up on unpaid invoices isn’t exactly anyone’s favorite part of the job.
But when payments get delayed or fall through the cracks, it messes with everything—cash flow, inventory, payroll, and peace of mind. You might be killing it on the sales side but still struggling to make ends meet because the money just isn’t landing in the account fast enough.
The good news? Most payment hiccups happen because of just a handful of habits that can be fixed. Here’s a look at three common accounts receivable stumbles—and how Zil Money steps in to make things smoother, smarter, and way less stressful.
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1. Sending “Casual” Invoices That Cause Confusion:
Finishing a job and firing off a quick email that says, “Here’s what I’m owed, thanks!” might feel efficient—but it can backfire. Missing details like what was provided, the due date, or how to pay can lead to delays or back-and-forth with the customer.
Why it’s a problem: If an invoice looks unclear or unprofessional, it’s easier for customers to put it off or forget it altogether.
Real-life pain: Imagine waiting on a $4,500 invoice to buy supplies for your next big project—only to realize the customer hasn’t paid because they didn’t know where to send the money or what the total included. That’s time, stress, and revenue wasted.
How Zil Money helps: Zil Money lets users create clean invoices in minutes. Every invoice includes itemized details, payment terms, and multiple payment options. Plus, they are easy to customize—so businesses can still keep that personal touch while staying crystal clear.
2. Tracking Payments with Spreadsheets and Sticky Notes:
Trying to remember who paid what, when it’s due, and which client needs a reminder—without a real system—can lead to a lot of headaches.
Why it’s a problem: Manual tracking is messy, time-consuming, and easy to mess up. Missed invoices and late follow-ups mean money is left on the table.
Real-life pain: One missed invoice may not seem like a big deal—but if it snowballs into two or three unpaid jobs, you could be looking at thousands of dollars stuck, which is a serious stress on your cash flow.
How Zil Money helps: The platform gives a full dashboard view of who owes what and when. It automatically organizes all the data—so instead of digging through spreadsheets, users can just log in and see everything at a glance.
3. Offering Only One Way to Pay:
A customer is ready to pay—but they can’t use the one method you accept. That small roadblock can delay a payment by days or even weeks.
Why it’s a problem: Limited payment options mean missed opportunities to get paid faster. Not every client wants to write a check or go through a specific process.
Real-life pain: Picture this—you send a $1,200 invoice, and your client says, “Can I pay by card?” You don’t offer that option, so now they must go find their checkbook… or worse, decide to “do it later” and never get around to it.
How Zil Money helps: Zil Money gives customers multiple ways to pay—credit cards, ACH, wire transfers, and even checks. It makes paying easy, fast, and convenient. When it’s easy for customers to pay, they usually do it more quickly.
Other Payment Methods You Can Use with Zil Money
Zil Money supports a wide range of payment options, making it easier for your clients to pay you faster, and helping you send payments in the way that works best for everyone:
- ACH transfers (direct from bank accounts)
- Wire transfers
- Mailed checks
- eChecks
- Payment links for instant checkout
- Invoicing with built-in payment options
When customers have choices, they are more likely to pay on time—and with less friction. That’s a win for both sides.
Make Getting Paid the Easy Part
Fixing a few small habits can make a big difference in how quickly and consistently money comes in. With Zil Money, small business owners can:
- Create sharp, detailed invoices in minutes
- Customize payment terms by client
- Offer flexible payment options (card, ACH, checks—you name it)
- Track everything in one place without the mess
Managing accounts receivable doesn’t have to be a pain. Zil Money keeps it simple, organized, and stress-free—so small business owners can stay focused on what really matters: growing the business.
The result? Faster payments, clearer communication, and fewer awkward conversations about money. That means more consistent cash flow—and more time to focus on growing the business.
No more hoping. No more sticky notes. Just a smart, simple way to take control of your cash and get back to what matters most.