June 19, 2024

Net Terms Guide: Understanding Net 15/30/60/90

A healthy cashflow is the lifeblood of any business. But what happens when your customers take their sweet time settling invoices, leaving you waiting for critical funds? Understanding payment terms, particularly net terms, is the key to maintaining cashflow harmony. 
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Net Terms Guide: Understanding Net 15/30/60/90

A healthy cashflow is the lifeblood of any business. But what happens when your customers take their sweet time settling invoices, leaving you waiting for critical funds? Understanding payment terms, particularly net terms, is the key to maintaining cashflow harmony

This guide will equip you to navigate the world of net 15, 30, 60, and 90, empowering you to make informed decisions that keep your business running smoothly. By understanding these terms, you can ensure a steady cashflow to cover expenses, reinvest in growth, and avoid potential cashflow gaps.

Net Terms Meaning

Net payment terms represent the deadline a customer has to settle an invoice in full after the invoice date. These terms dictate how long your business waits to receive payment for delivered goods or services. Negotiating favorable net terms during sales is crucial to maintaining a strong profit margin and competitive advantage in your industry.

Here's a breakdown of some common net terms, along with their advantages and disadvantages:

What Does Net 15 Mean?

Net 15 payment terms present a very short window of just 15 days for the customer to settle the invoice after the billing date. This puts the onus on the customer for prompt payment.

Advantages

Net 15 payment terms are ideal for small businesses like startups, retail, freelancers and consultants.
Particularly beneficial for companies with short operating cycles or high upfront costs.
Quick access to funds allows for immediate reinvestment in inventory, supplies, or payroll, keeping the business running smoothly.

Disadvantages

Net 15 payment terms might put pressure on clients to meet short deadlines, potentially straining relationships.
Smaller or less financially stable clients may not be able to adhere to such short terms.
Businesses with longer production cycles may find it difficult to pay suppliers quickly.

What Does Net 30 Mean?

Net 30 payment terms are the most widely used standard payment terms across various industries. It signifies a 30-day window from when the invoice is issued to when the customer pays in full.

Advantages

Net 30 payment terms are widely accepted and understood.
Offers a balance between fast access to cash and customer accommodation.
Many businesses are comfortable operating within these net terms, making the sales process smoother and potentially increasing your customer base.

Disadvantages

While standard, a 30-day wait for payment can still strain cashflow, particularly for small businesses or those dealing with customers who consistently pay late or do not pay at all.
Some clients may still push the 30-day term, resulting in late payments.
Retailers and manufacturers might face challenges in restocking and managing inventory levels.

What Does Net 60 Mean?

Full payment is due within 60 days of the invoice date. This represents a significantly longer wait time for payment compared to net 15

Advantages

Net 60 payment terms may be attractive to larger clients with a strong history of on-time payments.
Offering extended payment terms can incentivize these clients to do more business with you, potentially leading to higher sales volume.
This strategy can be particularly effective in industries where competition is fierce, like construction or large-scale infrastructure projects in telecommunications.

Disadvantages

The significantly longer wait time for payment can severely limit cashflow for small business owners.
Longer net payment terms could hinder growth and potentially require additional financing solutions to cover operational costs, invest in expansion, or meet payroll obligations.
Extended terms increase the risk of clients defaulting on payments.
Requires more robust financial planning and management to maintain liquidity.

What Does Net 90 Mean?

Net 90 payment terms represent the longest and least common invoice payment period used in business transactions. It establishes a lengthy 90-day window from when the invoice is issued to when the full payment is due. 

Advantages

Net 90 terms are rarely used but may be offered in specific industries to very large, creditworthy clients with a proven track record of on-time or early payment.
These net terms are more suited for government contracts, large-scale manufacturing, and real estate development.
Offering generous payment terms can help secure deals with these high-value clients, potentially leading to significant contracts, new clients, and greater customer loyalty.

Disadvantages

Net 90 payment terms can create significant cashflow problems.
Greater risk of non-payment or late payment, increasing financial uncertainty.
Businesses relying on net 90 terms might require substantial external financing options like invoice factoring to maintain operations.

The Impact of Net Terms on Your Business

Net terms aren't just about waiting periods. They significantly influence your business’ cashflow, financial planning, and client relationships.

Shorter net payment terms, like net 15, can improve liquidity by ensuring faster payments, aiding in quick reinvestment and operational stability. Conversely, longer terms, such as net 60 or net 90, offer clients more time to pay but can make everyday expenses, meeting payroll obligations, and investing in growth a major challenge. 

Person reaching for a calculator with an invoice copy on the table

To compensate for the cashflow gap caused by extended wait times, businesses may be forced to rely on external financing solutions like loans or lines of credit. However, this dependence on external funding comes at a cost, with high interest fees eating into profits.

Invoice factoring could be the ideal solution. By selling your invoices to a factoring company, you receive immediate access to funding worth 90-98% of the invoice amount. This frees up working capital to keep your business running smoothly without accumulating debt.

Understanding the impact of each invoice payment term helps tailor your policies to balance immediate cash needs with improved customer relationships, ensuring your business remains financially healthy!

Ditch the Wait—Get Immediate Access to Cashflow With Invoice Factoring

At REV Capital, we understand the challenges businesses face in managing cashflow. That's why we offer invoice factoring solutions to bridge the gap created by extended net payment terms.

Invoice factoring offers a perfect solution for businesses dealing with late payments by converting outstanding invoices into immediate cash. By selling your invoices to REV Capital, you can receive up to 98% of the invoice value—upfront. By doing so, businesses can reduce the risk of bad debt and eliminate the stress of sending payment reminders and chasing clients down, enabling businesses to focus on more sales, more customers, and more growth.

Ready to take control of your cashflow? Contact REV Capital today for a consultation. Our experienced team will assess your specific needs and tailor a solution to help your business thrive.

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