How to Create an Invoice
Everything you need to know about creating professional invoices in South Africa.
What is an invoice?
An invoice is a document you send to a client requesting payment for goods or services. It lists what you provided, how much it costs, and how the client can pay you.
What to include on an invoice
A complete invoice should have these 10 elements:
- The word "Invoice" (or "Tax Invoice" if VAT registered)
- Your business name and contact details
- Your client's name and contact details
- A unique invoice number
- The invoice date
- Description of each item or service
- Quantity and price for each item
- Subtotal, VAT (if applicable), and total
- Your bank details for EFT payment
- Payment terms and due date
VAT registered?
If you're VAT registered, you must also include your VAT number, prices excluding VAT, the VAT amount (15%), and the total including VAT.
Step-by-step: Creating an invoice
The traditional way to create an invoice:
- Open a Word document or invoice template
- Fill in your business details
- Add client details
- Create a unique invoice number
- List each item with description and price
- Calculate subtotal, VAT, and total
- Add your bank details
- Save as PDF
- Email or send to client
This process takes 10-15 minutes per invoice and is easy to get wrong.
The easy way: wabill on WhatsApp
With wabill, you skip all those steps. Just describe what you need:
“Invoice ABC Company for website design R15,000”
wabill creates a professional PDF invoice with all your business details, automatic numbering, and proper formatting. Send it to your client directly on WhatsApp.
10 free documents to start. Then R49/month for unlimited.
FAQ
What information must be on an invoice?
An invoice must include: your business name and contact details, client details, unique invoice number, date, description of goods/services, amounts, total, and payment details. If VAT registered, add your VAT number and breakdown.
How do I number my invoices?
Use a sequential numbering system like INV-001, INV-002, etc. wabill handles this automatically — each invoice gets a unique number.
Do I need software to create invoices?
Not with wabill. Just describe your invoice in WhatsApp and we create a professional PDF instantly. No software to install or learn.
10 free documents. No card needed.