Xero has rolled out a new feature designed to help small businesses reduce payment delays: the ability to send invoices directly to customers via SMS. This update is available on all paid Xero plans and offers a quicker, more visible alternative to traditional email.
Why SMS invoicing could benefit your business
Email inboxes can be overcrowded, and invoices sent via email are often overlooked or delayed. In contrast, SMS messages are typically seen almost immediately. This increased visibility can lead to quicker customer action and, in turn, faster payments – a boost for your business’s cash flow.
Key details
Here’s what you need to know about using SMS invoicing in Xero:
- Eligibility: SMS can be sent once an invoice is approved and marked “Awaiting Payment”
- Payment integration: Stripe must be connected as your payment provider
- Sending limits: one SMS per invoice, with a maximum of 30 messages per 24-hour period
- Security and consistency: SMS content is standardised and cannot be customised. Messages include a secure link to the online invoice and are sent to the mobile number stored in Xero
- Domestic use only: SMS invoices can only be sent to customers within your country
How to send an SMS invoice
- Create and approve your invoice
- Click the menu icon and select ‘send SMS’
- Confirm the mobile number and invoice details
- Tick the box to confirm permission to send SMS communications
- Click send
The customer will receive a text message from Xero containing a link to view the invoice, which remains active for seven days. SMS messages are one-way, so customers will need to contact you directly with any questions.
Tracking and follow-up
Each SMS sent is logged in the invoice’s ‘History and Notes’ section. You can check the delivery status and, if needed, resend the message via the invoice menu.
Get in touch
At PM+M, our cloud accounting team is here to help you unlock the full potential of Xero’s features. Whether you’re already using Xero or looking to make the switch, we’ll support you every step of the way.
For more information and to get started, get in touch with the PM+M cloud accounting team by emailing enquiries@pmm.co.uk.
