Common payment terms (and when to use them)
| Term | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Due on receipt | Small projects and rush work | Works best when clients already expect fast payment. |
| Net 7 | Most freelancers | Fast enough to protect cash flow while staying reasonable. |
| Net 14 | Mid-sized clients | A common compromise when clients need internal approval. |
| Net 30 | Enterprise clients | Often non-negotiable; consider deposits or milestones. |
Practical recommendations
Use deposits for larger projects (25–50% is common).
Bill at milestones so you’re not floating the entire project.
Put payment terms in your contract and on every invoice.
Follow up consistently (a process beats a policy).