Invoice HopA worked example: a logo project in two milestones
Project work is easier to get paid for in named pieces. Here is the first milestone of a logo project with two hours of extra revisions. The line names tell the client’s accounts team what they are approving, so the invoice doesn’t sit waiting for your contact to explain it.
Invoice to Bright Bakery, Net 15
- Logo design, milestone 1 of 2 (concepts): $600.00
- Revisions beyond scope: 2 hr × $85.00 = $170.00
- Total: $770.00, due in 15 days
For hourly work, put the date range in the line, such as “Design work 10/01–10/15: 12 hr × $85.00”. If the client asks for a breakdown, the dates make it easy to match with your time log.
If the client needs a purchase order number on the invoice, add it to the notes. Many accounts teams won’t pay an invoice without the number they issued.
Email that looks like it came from you
When Invoice Hop emails an invoice, the sender shows as your business name via Invoice Hop and the reply-to address is your own email. Clients who reply reach you directly. The PDF is attached, and a View Invoice button opens a page where they can pay or download the PDF again.
| Part | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Sender | Your business name via Invoice Hop |
| Reply goes to | Your own email address |
| Attachment | The invoice PDF |
| Invoice page | Amount due, due date, lines, how to pay |
You see “Opened” when the email is opened and “Viewed” when the invoice page is opened. Apple Mail can pre-load emails, so “Viewed” is the more reliable signal.
If you prefer, send the invoice yourself instead: download the PDF or copy the link and paste it into your own email. You still see when the client views the invoice page.
Invoices sent from your phone look the same as ones you would build on a computer: your logo, your colors, clear lines and a due date. Clients see a professional document wherever you made it.
Retainers and repeat clients
Clients on a monthly retainer need the same invoice each month with a new date and period. Duplicate last month’s invoice, change the period in the line description, and send. Your client details and rates stay saved, so a retainer invoice takes well under a minute to prepare.
- Line: “November retainer, up to 10 hours: $800.00”.
- Extra hours: add a separate line, “Additional hours: 2 hr × $85.00”.
- Records: export all invoices to CSV at year end for your accountant.
Your invoices stay on your phone unless you send them or turn on cloud sync, and you can export everything to CSV at year end for your accountant.
Clients who prefer bank transfers can see your bank details on the invoice if you choose to show them.
Card payments without a platform cut
Connect your own Stripe account and a Pay now button appears on the invoice page for card, Apple Pay and Google Pay. The money goes straight to your Stripe and the invoice marks itself paid. Stripe charges its own fee. Invoice Hop takes no cut and never holds your money.
You can also add your PayPal.me username, and a Pay with PayPal button appears on the invoice with the amount filled in. Bank transfer details can be shown for clients who pay that way.
Questions
Can clients reply to the invoice email?
Yes. Replies go to your own email address, not to Invoice Hop.
Can I bill in currencies other than US dollars?
No. Invoice Hop is for US businesses and uses US dollars.
Can I accept PayPal?
Yes. Add your PayPal.me username and a Pay with PayPal button appears with the amount filled in. You mark it paid when it arrives.
How do I know a client saw the invoice?
Invoice Hop shows when the email is opened and when the invoice page is viewed, and notifies you.