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Preventing overdue payments: best practices to adopt
Temps de lecture : 4 minutes
Preventing non-payment is a vital issue for professionals, especially those who invoice on a B2B basis. It's better to anticipate than to suffer delays in payment that put a strain on cash flow.
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What is overdue payment prevention?
Preventing non-payment means avoiding it through a series of commercial, contractual and operational practices.
Unlike recovery, which takes place after the fact, prevention is the key to success. en amont and protects the working capital requirement .
7 best practices to prevent overdue payments
Some simple actions can considerably reduce the risk of non-payment.
Check creditworthiness before taking out a contract
Consulting financial databases or requesting supporting documents can help identify risky customers.
1 in 3 companies with solvency problems are already showing visible signs.
Demand a deposit or advance payment
Asking for 30-50% on order reduces exposure. In 2023, 45% of VSEs required a systematic down payment, according to Bpifrance .
Careful drafting of general terms and conditions and contracts
Clear terms and conditions on deadlines, late payment penalties, payment terms and retention of title clauses avoid disputes.
Invoice quickly and clearly
An invoice issued on time and with the required information (due date, penalties, lump-sum indemnity) increases the chances of being paid on time.
Start again at the slightest delay
One day's delay is enough to trigger a relance proactive . According to a study Altars A reminder within 7 days multiplies by 3 the chances of rapid settlement.
Automate payment tracking
Automated reminder software or a connected CRM enables you to reduce forgetfulness and rigorous follow-up.
Using a platform like Heropay
Heropay allows you to bill online, collect via card or bank transfer with IBAN multi-devises automatic relaunch, and cash in with no hidden charges .
Open a free accountWhat are the risk factors for non-payment?
Several weak signals can indicate a risk of non-payment.
Lack of customer information
Not knowing your customer's financial or legal situation increases the risk. One in five third parties who default on payment have a history of public litigation.
Unclear or ill-defined payment terms
Non-formalized deadlines, or payments "at the customer's goodwill", leave room for arbitrariness.
Lack of follow-up or structured follow-up
According to the CPME, one company in two does not remind its customers within 15 days of the due date. This lack of clarity encourages delays.
What tools can you use to avoid unpaid bills?
There are several technical levers for securing cash receipts.
Automatic dunning software
Tools such as Dunning or CRM modules can be used to send personalized reminders at regular intervals.
Credit insurance to protect you
It ensures reimbursement in the event of customer insolvency. Useful for large accounts or high-risk exports.
Secure payment solutions such as Heropay
Heropay offers online payment with instant confirmation Invoice tracking and overdue reporting.
Open a free accountHow can Heropay help you prevent overdue payments?
Heropay combines several prevention levers:
Fast invoicing with a clear deadline
Automatic reminders programmable
Payment by secure link or pro card
Multi-currency tracking with dashboard
Zero hidden costs and no margin on the rate
