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Download proforma invoice template in Microsoft Excel format.
Sell Your Business with a Proforma Invoice Template
Are you a business owner or manager who is currently in the market for a type of invoice that can show your potential customers what they can expect should they decide to place an order with your company? Did you know that these types of invoices have a name? It’s true. They’re called proforma invoices, and for various reasons they have become very popular these days. In this article we will briefly explain what a proforma invoice is, and show you what type of information should be included on any proforma invoice template.
The Proforma Invoice Explained
A proforma invoice is a specialized type of invoice which a supplier can issue to a potential customer well in advance of selling or providing any particular goods or services. In essence, a proforma invoice is really nothing more than an advance quote of all the fees that would be required should a customer decide to place an order.
Proforma invoices are not that difficult to write, however, many business owners and major shippers are choosing to go with a quality proforma invoice template instead of coming up with their own design. These templates, which can easily be found through a simple online search, contain all the necessary information and can help managers save a lot of time and effort.
What to Look for in a Proforma Invoice Template
As mentioned above, a proforma invoice template is much the same as a formal quote and depending on the type of business, these invoices can usually be used in lieu of the quote in many circumstances.
The information on a proforma invoice should be clear and easy to understand, giving the potential buyer a realistic picture of the costs and timeframes that the transaction will entail. This will ensure that the transaction can be as efficient as possible and will save both parties a lot of time when and if final arrangements are made. Some of the information that is mandatory on a proforma invoice template includes:
• Name of the seller’s business and full contact information including address, phone number, email address and website where applicable.
• The full name and address of the potential buyer.
• A full description of the items or services being quoted.
• Per unit price breakdown of each item or service including an extended sub-total.
• Weights and dimensions of the items quoted. (This is necessary information in cases where products will be shipped).
• Any applicable discounts available to the buyer based on quantity of products ordered.
• Complete terms of the sale including where the delivery point will be once the products are shipped.
• The collective terms of payment, for example, monthly installments or flat fee.
• The estimated date of shipping including an estimated timeframe of when the products will reach the customer.
A proforma invoice template is a vital business tool, especially in these difficult economic times when every customer is so very important. It shows the potential customer exactly what will be delivered and at what cost, which can in turn be used by the buyer to make ample financial preparations.