Make It Easy for Your Clients to Pay You: Smarter Payment Strategies for Small Business

May 14, 2025
Smarter Payment Strategies for Small Business

Running a trade business in Australia is incredibly rewarding, but let’s face it—getting paid on time can be one of your biggest headaches. Whether you’re a builder, plumber, electrician, or run a service-based business, cash flow is the engine that keeps everything moving. Yet, delays in payments can derail even the best-run businesses. At MBC Group Services, we get it. You’ve got the skills and drive, but chasing invoices and managing payments, not exactly the fun part of the job. That’s why we’re sharing some smarter payment strategies for your small business. Make it easier for your clients to pay you, boosting your cashflow and giving you more time to focus on what you do best.

Why Making It Easy to Pay Matters

 

The simpler and clearer your payment process, the faster you’ll get paid. Clients today expect convenience, and the more barriers you remove, the smoother your cashflow will be.

 A streamlined payment process:

  • Builds trust and professionalism
  • Improves cashflow
  • Reduces admin time and stress

Let’s explore a toolkit of payment strategies—starting with one of our favourites.

Xero Tap to Pay: Turn Your Phone Into a Payment Machine

 

Xero’s Tap to Pay app turns your smartphone into a mobile EFTPOS machine—no extra hardware required. Whether on-site or on the road, you can accept Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay in person, on the spot.

Key benefits:

  • Instant payment: Get paid on the spot.
  • No extra hardware: Your phone does it all.
  • Seamless integration: Payments sync directly with Xero invoices.

How it works:

  1. Send your invoice via Xero.
  2. When the job’s done, open the app and select Tap to Pay.
  3. Your client taps their card or phone.
  4. Payment is processed instantly and reconciled in Xero.

Simple, professional, and a game-changer for cashflow. Check it out here

Beyond Tap to Pay: More Ways to Get Paid Faster

 

While Tap to Pay is a fantastic tool, it’s just one part of a broader payment strategy. Here are other ways to make sure you get paid faster and hassle-free.

1. Offer Multiple Payment Methods

Flexibility is key. Cater to your clients by offering:

  • Bank transfers (EFT)
  • Credit card payments (e.g., Stripe, PayPal)
  • Payment links in your invoices

This ensures everyone has a payment option.

2. Set Clear Payment Terms

Be upfront:

  • Specify due dates clearly (e.g., “7 days from invoice date”)
  • Outline any late fees or penalties
  • Make sure your quotes and invoices are easy to understand

Clear terms = fewer disputes.

3. Automate Payment Reminders

Life’s busy, and even well-intentioned clients forget. Set up automatic payment reminders through Xero to nudge clients before and after the due date—saving you awkward follow-ups.

4. Use Recurring Payments for Regular Clients

If you have ongoing contracts or maintenance clients, set up recurring payments. This keeps your cash flow steady and removes the need to invoice manually every month.

5. Invoice Promptly and Regularly

This one’s simple but crucial: send invoices as soon as a job is done. The sooner it’s sent, the sooner it’s paid. Use your mobile app to invoice on-site, if possible.

6. Encourage Upfront or Progress Payments

For larger projects, request:

  • A deposit before starting
  • Progress payments at key milestones

This keeps cash coming in and reduces the risk of non-payment.

7. Keep Records Clean and Current

Use cloud bookkeeping to keep track of:

  • Who’s paid and who hasn’t
  • Reconciliation of payments
  • Any gaps in your cash flow

Clean records make following up (and sleeping at night) much easier.

8. Educate Your Clients

Sometimes payments are delayed because clients don’t know the steps. Add:

  • “How to Pay” instructions on invoices.

This removes any confusion and speeds things up.

9. Build Solid Relationships

Good relationships can be your secret weapon. You can encourage loyalty and prompt payment by communicating well, delivering top-quality work, and staying professional.

 

Why This Matters for Your Business

 

We believe in making your business life easier. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about building strong foundations for growth, profitability, and peace of mind. Implementing these payment strategies can save you hours of admin time and keep your cashflow healthy, giving you more freedom to focus on what lights you up.

 

Need help setting up Tap to Pay, managing your cashflow, or tightening up your invoicing process? Contact MBC Bookkeeping today. Let’s get your payments—and your business—running like clockwork.