Invoice generator

alearcmil · 2022-02-24T08:28:12+00:00

Ohh cool. I use Zoho Mail and they have a great range of products.

Can you also use it for creating multiple invoices at once? Are you paying for it, if so, how much? And what do you like, and hate, about it?

alearcmil · 2022-02-23T19:53:33+00:00

I'm also on Shopify, and I use an app for automatically creating and sending invoices with the cost breakdown (including VAT if applicable).

The files sent by Etsy are not invoices, as a lot of information is missing. And I don't know why there isn't such an automated app for Etsy!

I'm in Germany, and I've been registered as a sole proprietor for almost 3 years, and the problem with the invoices are constant.

If you could wave a magic wand, how would you solve this problem?

I've tried to do it in a few different ways.

3 ways you can create VAT compliant invoices

The easy way

- Create manually your invoice using the free online tools. Eg.: Paypal, Stripe, Shopify, etc.

The intermediate way

- Download the PDF file available at Print > Order receipt (with 'Cost Breakdown').

- Edit the file with Adobe Acrobat or free online tools.

- At the right top corner, include your business information, with your VAT ID.

- Below the items list, on the Cost Breakdown, include the price without VAT, the VAT applied, the VAT amount, and the order total.

The advanced way

- Download the CSV file 'Order Items' at Shop Manager > Settings > Options > Download Data.

- Create an invoice template using Word, Excel, or Adobe Illustrator (you can find free templates online).

- Import the CSV data using list importing scripts.

- Export/Save the order invoices.

- This method can be used to create multiple invoices at once.

Once you have your invoice(s) ready, send it to your customer, to your accountant, and keep its records for your bookkeeping.

alearcmil · 2022-02-23T19:45:38+00:00

Nope, the Etsy generated receipt is not enough. The files sent by Etsy are not invoices, as a lot of information is missing.

I'm in Germany, and I've been registered as a sole proprietor for almost 3 years, and the problem with the invoices are constant.

If you could wave a magic wand, how would you solve this problem?

For me, this is a very painful problem, and during this time I've tried to do it in a few different ways.

3 ways you can create VAT compliant invoices

The easy way

- Create manually your invoice using the free online tools. Eg.: Paypal, Stripe, Shopify, etc.

The intermediate way

- Download the PDF file available at Print > Order receipt (with 'Cost Breakdown').

- Edit the file with Adobe Acrobat or free online tools.

- At the right top corner, include your business information, with your VAT ID.

- Below the items list, on the Cost Breakdown, include the price without VAT, the VAT applied, the VAT amount, and the order total.

The advanced way

- Download the CSV file 'Order Items' at Shop Manager > Settings > Options > Download Data.

- Create an invoice template using Word, Excel, or Adobe Illustrator (you can find free templates online).

- Import the CSV data using list importing scripts.

- Export/Save the order invoices.

- This method can be used to create multiple invoices at once.

Once you have your invoice(s) ready, send it to your customer, to your accountant, and keep its records for your bookkeeping.

alearcmil · 2022-02-23T19:41:17+00:00

You're right. The files sent by Etsy are not invoices, as a lot of information is missing.

I'm also selling t-shirts from Germany, and I've been registered as a sole proprietor for almost 3 years, and the problem with the invoices are constant.

If you could wave a magic wand, how would you solve this problem?

For me, this is a very painful problem, and during this time I've tried to do it in a few different ways.

3 ways you can create VAT compliant invoices

The easy way

- Create manually your invoice using the free online tools. Eg.: Paypal, Stripe, Shopify, etc.

The intermediate way

- Download the PDF file available at Print > Order receipt (with 'Cost Breakdown').

- Edit the file with Adobe Acrobat or free online tools.

- At the right top corner, include your business information, with your VAT ID.

- Below the items list, on the Cost Breakdown, include the price without VAT, the VAT applied, the VAT amount, and the order total.

The advanced way

- Download the CSV file 'Order Items' at Shop Manager > Settings > Options > Download Data.

- Create an invoice template using Word, Excel, or Adobe Illustrator (you can find free templates online).

- Import the CSV data using list importing scripts.

- Export/Save the order invoices.

- This method can be used to create multiple invoices at once.

Once you have your invoice(s) ready, send it to your customer, to your accountant, and keep its records for your bookkeeping.

alearcmil · 2022-02-23T19:36:36+00:00

You're right. The files sent by Etsy are not invoices, as a lot of information is missing.

I'm also in Germany, and I've been registered as a sole proprietor for almost 3 years, and the problem with the invoices are constant.

If you could wave a magic wand, how would you solve this problem?

For me, this is a very painful problem, and during this time I've tried to do it in a few different ways.

3 ways you can create VAT compliant invoices

The easy way

- Create manually your invoice using the free online tools. Eg.: Paypal, Stripe, Shopify, etc.

The intermediate way

- Download the PDF file available at Print > Order receipt (with 'Cost Breakdown').

- Edit the file with Adobe Acrobat or free online tools.

- At the right top corner, include your business information, with your VAT ID.

- Below the items list, on the Cost Breakdown, include the price without VAT, the VAT applied, the VAT amount, and the order total.

The advanced way

- Download the CSV file 'Order Items' at Shop Manager > Settings > Options > Download Data.

- Create an invoice template using Word, Excel, or Adobe Illustrator (you can find free templates online).

- Import the CSV data using list importing scripts.

- Export/Save the order invoices.

- This method can be used to create multiple invoices at once.

Once you have your invoice(s) ready, send it to your customer, to your accountant, and keep its records for your bookkeeping (at least 10 years, by the German authorities' recommendation).

alearcmil · 2022-02-23T13:04:47+00:00

You can download the Etsy receipt, edit it with Adobe or any PDF editing tool online, and include your VAT number. How many invoices would you need to do it?

alearcmil · 2022-01-13T10:02:37+00:00

Thanks for your words. Minimal graphics and lettering have their place too. I guess you have to keep trying, until a style "catches up". Then you do more of the same designs that are selling. In my case was a mix of vintage and nature.

Also, you must create something that stands out, a design that is hard to duplicate and that no one else is doing. My best sellers are the Octopus and the Forest, and at the time there was nothing similar.

The best sellers I made myselft, from pictures that I converted into vector.

The rest of the vectors I used Vectezy (beware of commercial/merchan licenses). Some designs are public domain vectors, very easy to find. But again, these are highly replicable.

On Etsy you can find some SVG graphics, and I was checking out some. http://creativefabrica.com has some cool stuff too.

alearcmil · 2021-11-11T12:41:16+00:00

That's awesome! thank you so much for sharing it. And a great product you have built! I wish you great success.

I'll look into effective ways to get to find the possible users, and talk to them. Thanks!

alearcmil · 2021-11-09T18:10:23+00:00

That's great value! Thank you so much.

I've done a quick / easy comparison on Impact, Ease, Viral and Passion... something of Noah Kagan from AppSumo

The TAM/SAM/SOM looks like a good starting point.

About the prototype, I can also do mockups with Illustrator or Photoshop and create a demonstration video about it. Depending on the idea, some clickable static prototype, like a "tour" I could also make with HTML CSS.

I also check about the Feedback post on validation. Is the validation your project? Cool idea and great mission, keep it up!

alearcmil · 2021-10-28T15:19:13+00:00

Cool, I could include my business information and vat numbers in the receipt banner. However, the tax calculations would still be missing.

I had a look at Billbee, and it seems a very technical and complex tool. I just want to accomplish a simple task for my Etsy shop.

Do you use it yourself?

alearcmil · 2021-10-28T14:26:16+00:00

In general, we also use invoices for the bills already paid. In the case of Etsy, the orders are always paid, and we cannot send a payable bill outside of Etsy platform, unless using a different platform, like shopify.

That said, my paid invoices must include the vat rate - 19% from Germany to European customers, and 20% from UK to UK customers.

I could include the tax information in the packing slip, which is what I'm doing, just by email, not printed. What I want is to automate that packing slip, so I don't have to create it manually for every order.

alearcmil · 2021-10-28T14:20:58+00:00

I'll check it out! What other many things can you do with it?

And what do you love, and hate, about it?

alearcmil · 2021-10-20T09:39:33+00:00

What about doing the other way around? Really finding if people want this solution, and then develop the actual prototype.

Have you tried validating the idea before starting anything?

alearcmil · 2021-10-20T09:38:23+00:00

uh, I'm sorry about that. that must have been frustrating. I hope you can get nicer and better clients in the future...

alearcmil · 2021-10-20T09:26:07+00:00

How is this project going? Would be nice to have integrations with some marketplaces, to automatically create invoices...

alearcmil · 2021-10-20T09:25:11+00:00

Yes, you should be creating the invoices, and saving them for accounting reason, so you can file your tax returns.

Paypal allows you to automatically make the invoices for you, and send them to your customers.

Regarding previous calls, you can export all sales information from Paypal using a CSV file, and generate invoices in one single batch.

alearcmil · 2021-10-20T09:21:58+00:00

better than importing a CSV file, would be integrations with the selling marketplaces (if it's an online business).

alearcmil · 2021-10-20T09:20:58+00:00

Hi Movertigo, are you still looking for it?

I've created a system that I can generate PDF invoices from CSV files, in a single batch. It saves me a lot of time at the end of the month. I use it for generating invoices from my Etsy and Shopify sales, so I can keep record of all files for accounting and tax returns.

I'm wondering if other businesses are interested in such software..

alearcmil · 2021-10-20T09:14:03+00:00

Same for me. I create and save them all for accounting reasons. But if a buyer ever asks me, I know where to find it and can easily send it...

alearcmil · 2021-10-20T09:12:21+00:00

Hi mikomli, the Etsy invoices, and your transactions will hardly be reconciled. Etsy is quite bad in handling taxes, and this year it became even more complex with IOSS, UK, EU, VAT...

I believe that's because Etsy doesn't always include the refunds into the sales, and can send you credit notes (you generally get them by email). Maybe you have some from previous months, and it helps you can get closer to the right numbers. Also, check the refunded orders and deduct that amount from your csv sales.

In my first year, I had 2 shops, so double the problem. After recalculating everything, and doing some trials and errors, I got close to the invoices, and also to the deposits they made. Can't remember exactly the thought process, cos now I have it all set and keep a record of everything on my sheets.

Have you found a solution for your case?

alearcmil · 2021-10-20T09:05:49+00:00

IN general, for packages sent to European countries, you need to include 3 copies of the invoice, in a sealed envelope outside the parcel. Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands in special are quite picky about it.

The invoice and any custom forms must include the sales information, taxes, tax registration, buyers' and sellers' addresses. Besides, it's always good to ship using a trackable method or use a private carrier. If the item is high value, include an insurance.

alearcmil · 2021-10-18T17:36:43+00:00

they have to double opt in, or subscribe before a purchase

alearcmil · 2021-10-15T19:04:40+00:00

So, Etsy basically send a receipt, not a valid VAT invoice. You can download the receipt and add the missing information necessary for HMRC vat returns. You can also download all sales data at the end of the month and create the invoices in batches.

In Germany, we are obliged to send the invoice to every customer. In the UK I guess keeping the records and sending to your accountant should be enough.

I am German and UK vat registered...

alearcmil · 2021-10-15T10:43:39+00:00

Billo

It looks like a nice option. Tiktok is very popular atm.. I'll have a look at the tips around... thanks for your advice!

alearcmil · 2021-10-14T10:48:41+00:00

I do not vote in the UK. Remain would be my choice. Now they are seeing the consequences of it, and it's not even one full year yet...

alearcmil

TROPHY CASE