How to Create Recurring Invoices
Creating recurring invoices is straightforward once you know the process. This step-by-step guide walks you through everything — from gathering the information you need to activating your first automated billing schedule. Follow along and you will have your first recurring invoice running in under 15 minutes.
No credit card required. Free plan includes 5 invoices/month.
Quick Answer
To create a recurring invoice, choose invoicing software with scheduling support, add your client details and line items, set the billing frequency (weekly, monthly, quarterly), and activate the schedule. The entire setup takes about 15 minutes per client.
Definition
A recurring invoice is an invoice that is automatically generated and sent to a client on a predetermined schedule, such as monthly or quarterly, without requiring manual creation each billing cycle.
Step 1: Choose Your Invoicing Software
You need invoicing software that supports recurring schedules. InvoiceBlitz offers recurring invoicing on the Starter plan ($5/month) and Pro plan ($10/month). The free plan lets you create one-off invoices to test the platform before upgrading. Other options include FreshBooks, QuickBooks, and Xero.
Step 2: Gather Client Information
Before creating the invoice, collect: the client business name, billing contact name and email, billing address, any purchase order numbers they require, and the agreed-upon payment terms. Having this information ready makes setup faster.
Step 3: Define Your Services and Pricing
List the services you will bill for on each recurring invoice. For each service, define: a clear description, the quantity or unit, the rate or price, and any applicable taxes. Be specific — "Monthly SEO Services (keyword research, on-page optimization, monthly report)" is better than "SEO Services."
Step 4: Create the Invoice Template
In your invoicing software, create a new invoice or recurring schedule. Add your client, enter the line items with descriptions and amounts, set payment terms (Net 15, Net 30, Due on Receipt), and customize the invoice with your branding. This template will repeat on each billing cycle.
Step 5: Configure the Billing Schedule
Set the recurrence: weekly, biweekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually. Choose the billing day (1st of month, 15th, etc.). Set the start date for the first invoice. Optionally set an end date if the agreement has a fixed term. Most businesses use monthly billing on the 1st.
Step 6: Activate and Monitor
Save and activate the recurring schedule. Review the first generated invoice to ensure everything looks correct. Send it to your client and monitor the payment. After the first 2-3 successful cycles, you can trust the automation and add more clients.
Key Takeaway
Creating a recurring invoice takes about 15 minutes and saves hours every month. Choose your software, add client details, set the schedule, and activate — your billing runs on autopilot from that point forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
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About 10-15 minutes for the first one, including gathering client information and configuring the schedule. After that, zero time per cycle.
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InvoiceBlitz free plan supports one-off invoices. Recurring scheduling is available on the Starter plan at $5/month — very affordable for the time it saves.
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Edit the recurring invoice at any time. Changes apply to the next generated invoice. If you need to fix an already-sent invoice, create a credit note or revised invoice.
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Yes. InvoiceBlitz works in any browser, including mobile. Create, manage, and track recurring invoices from your phone or tablet.
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