E-invoicing or electronic invoicing is the process of generating, sending, receiving, and storing invoices digitally. In contrast with traditional invoicing, which eliminates the need for sending paper invoices or PDF files via email, e-invoicing employs structured data formats such as XML (Extensible Markup Language) to streamline and automate the invoicing process.
Traditional invoicing methods typically involve creating an invoice in a word processor or accounting software, converting it to a PDF, and emailing it to the recipient. While this approach, is more efficient than paper-based invoicing, it still requires manual data entry and processing at the receiving end.
However, with an e-invoicing solution that leverages structured data formats, the recipient’s accounting systems can seamlessly integrate, eliminating the need for manual data entry, reducing errors, and accelerating the overall invoicing process
How Does E-invoicing Work?
E-invoicing works by transmitting invoices as XML files that contain structured data, which can be directly received and processed by the recipient’s accounting software. Often, these XML files have embedded PDFs to provide a human-readable version of the invoice for reference. The process typically involves the following steps:
Invoice Generation: The supplier creates an invoice using their e-invoicing software. This software generates an XML file with all the necessary invoice details, like line items, prices, tax information, and payment terms. A PDF version of the invoice is also embedded within the XML file for easy viewing.
Sending the Invoice: The XML file is sent to the recipient’s e-invoicing mailbox. This can be done through various secure transmission methods, such as EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), API (Application Programming Interface), or other e-invoicing networks.
Receiving the Invoice: Upon receiving the invoice, the XML file is automatically processed by the recipient’s e-invoicing system. The structured data within the XML file is extracted and integrated into the recipient’s accounting software, updating accounts payable records instantly.
Instant Availability: Because the invoice data is sent in a structured format, it is immediately available for processing upon receipt. There is no need for manual data entry, which significantly reduces the risk of errors and speeds up the payment cycle.
The instant availability of invoice data is one of the key advantages of e-invoicing. It enables businesses to automate their invoicing workflows, improve accuracy, and ensure timely payments. Additionally, e-invoicing provides greater visibility into the invoicing process, allowing both suppliers and buyers to track the status of invoices in real time. This enhanced transparency fosters better financial management and stronger business relationships.
Key Benefits of Switching to E-invoicing
Improved Efficiency
Switching to e-invoicing significantly enhances efficiency by automating workflows like invoice processing, eliminating the need for manual data entry, which is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. With e-invoicing, invoices are generated, sent, received, and processed electronically, allowing for quicker and more accurate handling of invoice data.
Cost Savings
E-invoicing offers substantial cost savings compared to traditional paper or email/PDF invoicing methods. The expenses related to printing, postage, and physical storage of paper invoices are removed. Additionally, the reduced need for manual processing translates to lower labor costs. Businesses can reinvest these savings into other critical areas of their operations.
Enhanced Accuracy and Compliance
One of the key advantages of e-invoicing is the minimization of human errors. Since data is transmitted in a structured, electronic format, the likelihood of errors during data entry is greatly reduced. Furthermore, e-invoicing helps ensure compliance with various tax regulations and industry standards by automating the application of the correct tax codes and maintaining accurate records.
Faster Payment Cycles
E-invoicing accelerates the entire invoicing process, from invoice generation to payment. Automating invoice approval workflows allows for quicker approval times, leading to faster payments. This improved speed not only enhances cash flow management but also strengthens supplier relationships by ensuring timely payments.
Better Data Management
With e-invoicing, businesses can access invoice data in real time, facilitating better data management and analytics. This immediate access to accurate and up-to-date information enables more informed decision-making and improves financial reporting. Enhanced data management capabilities also support more effective audit processes and compliance monitoring.
Environmental Benefits
E-invoicing contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing paper usage and waste. By transitioning to electronic invoices, businesses can support their corporate sustainability goals and demonstrate their commitment to environmentally responsible practices. This reduction in paper consumption also aligns with broader efforts to reduce the carbon footprint and promote greener business operations.
What Challenges Come with Implementing E-invoicing?
While the benefits of e-invoicing are clear, transitioning to this system can present several challenges including initial setup costs and system integration are common concerns. Businesses may need to invest in new software or upgrade their existing systems to accommodate e-invoicing capabilities.
Additionally, integrating e-invoicing with current accounting and ERP systems can be complex and may require technical expertise. However, some best practices can be implemented to ease the transition.
E-invoicing Best Practices
Implementing e-invoicing can significantly streamline business operations, improve cash flow, and reduce errors. Here are some best practices for e-invoicing:
Adopt a Standard Format
Standardization: Use a standardized invoice format such as UBL (Universal Business Language) or PEPPOL BIS. This ensures compatibility with various accounting and ERP systems.
Compliance: Ensure that the format complies with regional and international regulations.
Ensure Data Accuracy
Validation: Implement data validation checks to ensure accuracy before sending invoices. This includes verifying customer details, invoice amounts, and item descriptions.
Automated Checks: Use automated systems to cross-check invoices against purchase orders and delivery receipts.
Integrate with ERP and Accounting Systems
Seamless Integration: Integrate an e-invoicing solution with your ERP or accounting systems to streamline the invoicing process.
Real-time Updates: Ensure that the systems provide real-time updates to maintain accurate financial records.
Secure Transmission
Encryption: Use encryption to protect invoice data during transmission.
Authentication: Implement authentication mechanisms such as digital signatures to verify the sender’s identity and ensure data integrity.
Compliance with Legal and Tax Requirements
Legal Framework: Adhere to local and international e-invoicing regulations, including tax reporting requirements.
Audit Trails: Maintain detailed audit trails to provide transparency and support compliance audits.
Conclusion
Switching to e-invoicing offers numerous advantages, including improved efficiency, cost savings, enhanced accuracy and compliance, faster payment cycles, better data management, and environmental benefits. Adopting best practices can help you successfully implement e-invoicing and unlock its full potential.
Any business that operates online is competing in a very crowded market. With the eCommerce market forecasted to reach a value of $9.3 trillion by 2027, everyone wants a slice of that lucrative pie. If you have quality products (or services), then the onus is on your marketing team to attract real customers and move them through your sales funnel and customer journey to the point of purchase decisions.
Modern marketing has many approaches, from an omnichannel strategy to segmentation and personalization for your target audiences. One useful tactic is using UGC (user-generated content) to appeal to potential customers. Knowing how to leverage user-generated content can lead to increased conversions for your business.
But what is UGC, and how should you approach leveraging it?
As the name suggests, UGC is content created by your customers and users. It can refer to any type of content, including videos, text, images, or even audio.
Branded content, paid ads and even AI social media generated posts are all valid ways of creating content. And when done well, they can certainly increase brand visibility and reach. But UGC, although amateur in nature, has enormous appeal to people as they see it as being ‘free’ of fancy marketing messages and as more honest.
In fact, around 85% of consumers think that user-generated content is more persuasive than traditional marketing content. Creators of UGC post their content in a variety of places, from their social media channels to independent blogs. Online reviews are also considered a form of user-generated content.
How to leverage user-generated content to improve awareness and conversions
At the end of the day, you want people to buy your products or services. While conversion rates can vary from industry to industry, you should consider that the average global eCommerce site conversion rate is 2.58% and in the US, it’s 2.57%. Those figures can provide benchmarks for your conversion expectations, but you should also research what the average conversion rate is for your particular area of eCommerce.
There can be many reasons for lower-than-average conversion rates, and you should ensure that none of the usual problems are responsible for yours (if you are low). These problems can range from unoptimized websites (or not optimized for mobile devices) to poor website navigation. Looking at the ‘usual suspects’ behind low conversion rates should be your first port of call.
If you’re sure all pain points have been addressed, then it’s time to look at how you can incorporate UGC into your marketing efforts and, more importantly, how you can leverage relevant content to improve your conversion rates.
Establish a brand
You may already have established a strong brand identity that is recognizable across all your marketing content.
It is something that communicates to potential customers factors such as quality and reliability, and should also communicate your organizational values. Extending that to UGC can involve a deep understanding of what you want to say and what you think people want to hear.
For example, a company selling home entertainment systems may look at UGC videos of a family gathered together and enjoying a film. Combined with positive online reviews, this is communicating to consumers that your brand is high quality and your products bring families together. A strong brand strategy is as important as a digital contact center strategy.
Make voices heard
UGC is all about using the voices of your customers. So, you need to encourage them to ‘speak’ up, whether you want them to share their experiences of using your project time tracking software or how they style dresses bought from your eCommerce store.
The most common type of voice is leaving reviews or even, with long-term loyal customers or brand ambassadors, recommending your brand to friends and family. Asking people to leave reviews can be done via emails (follow-up or marketing) or through your website or social media posts.
If you’re unsure how to do this, look at these business website examples for inspiration. Do your research and find a format that aligns with your brand and will allow UGC to truly shine.
You can choose to incentivize this tactic with discounts or other offers. This is an area where visual content can be useful too. While a written product review is great, a video demonstrating the product (or how to use it) can be very persuasive for potential customers. For example, if you are selling cloud call center software, then video demonstrations of how it works could be a deciding factor when it comes to a purchasing decision.
Use social listening tools
How do you discover all the UGC that discusses or promotes your brand? A fantastic video that extols the benefits of your product will only have a limited audience unless you bring the creator and brand together. The main answer to this problem is to use a social listening tool. By using certain keywords, phrases, or hashtags, you can see what people are saying about you.
With modern technology, many of these listening tools are AI-powered and will not only identify UGC but also analyze relevant data and provide valuable insights into the content posted. The thing to always remember is that you need the consent of the creator to leverage user-generated content in your marketing campaigns.
Use hashtags
Another way to curate content from users is through hashtags. Some social media platforms, such as Instagram, use hashtags as a primary marketing tool. If you’re looking to include UGC in your marketing strategy, consider the following steps:
Have themes that people, both creators and consumers, will recognize.
Use your social media accounts to promote the use of hashtags, both for the brand as a whole and for individual campaigns.
Incentivize campaigns with competitions offering free products or discounts.
Showcase the best hashtag-related UGC on your website or social media platforms (remember to get permission to share).
Analyze the metrics and data from any UGC content just as you would with your own marketing content.
Maintain quality
Using user-generated content marketing does not mean compromising on quality. Your images and videos represent your brand and products, and the same quality levels need to be standardized for UGC, too.
When images and videos (from any source) are consistently high-quality content, it helps engender a sense of trust in consumers. If written content, you also want to be sure it’s SEO-optimised.
Given the technological advances in mobile technology, quality is not difficult to maintain. The editing and other aspects may be less than professional, but even that is something people will understand. In fact, a slight lack of professionalism may appeal even more than something that is ‘too polished’.
Build an online community
You may already have a strong social media presence, but creating a separate online community can be a beneficial tactic if you want to leverage user-generated content. It can lead to higher levels of engagement and be the catalyst that drives your customers to create their own UGC, even if that just consists of online customer reviews or endorsements.
You want your community to be as effective as possible and also to be a way to elevate loyal customers to ambassador status. To that end, here are some things to think about:
Selecting your platform
Where will you host your community? There are specialist platforms such as Mighty Networks or Wild Apricot, or you may decide to build your own using a platform such as WordPress combined with the membership plugins they offer. A small to medium-sized business may even consider setting up a dedicated group on a site like Facebook. Some of the content that is posted in your community can be an ideal addition to any marketing brochure you produce.
Enable UGC
Your community is designed for the sharing of user-generated content. If a customer posts something that stands out, it can become UGC that you can use (with consent).
You can also focus on the type of UGC you most want to highlight, and even incentivize sharing. For example, ‘If we use your video, we’ll give you a 10% discount on future purchases.’
Forums
Think of your community as being like the forums from the early days of the internet. Have discussion areas (or threads) where members can engage with each other and discuss your virtues as a brand or focus on individual products or services. This can also provide members with opportunities to ask questions that can be answered by the staff you have assigned as admins/moderators.
Consider an FAQ/knowledge base section
You probably already have this on your website, but your community should also have one. Peers can share knowledge or ask questions directly to you. It can also be a great place to share your guidelines on user-generated content. These sections can be a great resource for accurate product information.
Your community is also a great place to host live events for the members. This can focus (though not exclusively) on UGC. You could hold a webinar where your in-house experts can teach the basics of producing and editing any UGC. It can also allow you to have customers host (or co-host) an event and discuss their experiences.
Bring people together
Community is about bringing people together, and your online community can be a great way to nurture collaboration. Just as soccer talks about the crowd being the ‘12th man’, your community can act as an extra employee. Get your members engaged and working with each other to grow a sense of community. You may also find that they can act as unofficial customer support on your platforms.
Get involved
Don’t let your community exist in a vacuum. Have a team assigned to not only moderating the community but actively getting involved too. This demonstrates that you care about what people say and think. It can also help to establish clear guidelines as to the community’s purpose and what’s acceptable.
Reward and promote
You want your community to grow, so promote it across your other platforms, especially when using UGC. You should also look at some form of reward scheme similar to a loyalty program if you have one. Give rewards to regular or outstanding contributors so that others may follow suit.
Knowing how to leverage user-generated content as part of your content marketing strategy can be a crucial step on the path to success and better conversion rates. Whether positive reviews or product demonstration videos, it’s content from peers that is more trusted than normal marketing materials and can be a powerful tool.
As with other marketing content, you should analyze metrics and other data to see what content resonates best with potential buyers. It’s also worth remembering that UGC comes at no cost to your organization, so ROI can be very high.
The advantages of cloud computing are numerous such as; scalability, cost, and flexibility. Nevertheless, these advantages are accompanied by numerous security threats that organizations have to mitigate in order to safeguard their information and networks.
This blog post will focus on identifying the most significant security threats of cloud computing and ways to address them.
1. Data Breaches
Security breaches are still one of the main issues with organizations that rely on cloud solutions. Any data that is stored in the cloud is vulnerable to threats and includes PII, financial records, and intellectual property, which are valuable assets. This information is sensitive and requires protection through encryption, access control and through auditing the system frequently.
The controls can be breached because of misconfigurations, insufficient security policies, or even insiders. For instance, a single misconfigured cloud storage bucket can lead to the exposure of large volumes of confidential information to the public domain, thus increasing the risk of their exposure to the internet.
2. Misconfiguration and Inadequate Change Management
Cloud environments are not simple; there are many services and settings that require ongoing attention. Screw-ups are one of the major sources of cloud security breaches because such mistakes lead to the exposure of data and systems to intruders.
Common Misconfiguration Issues:
Publicly accessible storage buckets
Insecure default settings
Proper network segmentation was not carried out
Mitigation Strategies:
Automated Tools: Employ automated solutions to ensure compliance with the security settings on a constant basis.
Security Training: IT staff should be trained on cloud security best practices and the security settings of the cloud provider on a frequent basis.
Regular Reviews: Security should be reviewed periodically to check whether the settings and configurations are in line with the organizational security standards.
Most of the misconfigurations are as a result of human activities or the lack of adequate knowledge in cloud computing. These problems can be avoided through training and the incorporation of automated tools. It is crucial to guarantee that all settings are examined periodically and changed if necessary for the cloud infrastructure protection.
3. Insecure Interfaces and APIs
APIs are widely used in cloud services for both as a means of communication and as a method of executing tasks. The insecurity of some APIs makes it possible for the attacker to access the cloud resources, alter data or even perform command operations. Some of the key requirements include strong authentication, input validation, and rate limiting in APIs.
There should be methods of user identification and access control to ensure only the right people can access the system. Also, to enhance security, it is recommended to validate all the inputs to APIs because they are vulnerable to injection attacks.
4. Account Hijacking
Account hijacking is a form of cybercrime whereby the attacker gets unauthorized access to a user account. Once the attackers have a hold of an account, they can alter data, eavesdrop on the communication, and conduct malicious actions.
The use of MFA is one of the most effective preventive measures that can be applied to minimize the possibility of account compromise. The other measures include the use of strong passwords and auditing for suspicious activities or changes in the login pattern.
5. Insider Threats
Insider threats, which may involve current or former employees, contractors, or business partners may be hard to identify and prevent. This is because insiders have legal access to the systems and data, and thus their activities are difficult to distinguish from criminal ones.
Mitigation Measures:
Access Controls: Follow the principle of least privilege where an employee is only given the access that is essential for his/her duties.
Monitoring: User activities should be monitored for any suspicious activity to be conducted.
Training: Offer refresher courses on security consciousness and the threats of insider threats.
Insider threats are a major risk because insiders are trusted personnel. Access controls should be put in place and users activities should be closely monitored to detect any suspicious activity. It also can help in avoiding insider threats by increasing the employees’ awareness through security training.
6. Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks
DoS attacks are designed to deny access to cloud services by flooding them with traffic and/or resource-consuming requests. These attacks can result in large amounts of downtime and monetary damages. The threat of DoS attacks can be minimized if rate limiting, redundancy, and load balancing are put in place.
Traffic patterns can be monitored and suspicious traffic can be set up for an alert to be raised when such a traffic is detected. It is important to make sure that the systems are backed up and capable of distributing the traffic loads in order to keep services running during an attack.
7. Insecure Cloud Services and APIs
Most cloud services have pre-set default security that may not be adequate for any organization security policies. If these settings are not fine-tuned, then the systems are open to attack. Another level of protection can be achieved through the periodic review of the security settings and the use of virtual private networks for the connections.
It is important to configure the default parameters to the organization security requirements. Schedules audits can assist in maintaining compliance with the security policies and identify possible weaknesses. Using tools such as VPN can enhance the connection between the on-premises systems and the cloud services to ensure that they are safe and secure. However, it’s essential to understand VPN pros and cons to make informed decisions about its implementation.
8. Compliance and Legal Risks
It is crucial to note that organizations have to adhere to different regulatory standards when it comes to cloud services. Failure to adhere to the laws attracts legal consequences, tarnishing of organizations’ image, and loss of money. Some of the compliance measures include; comprehending the rules and regulations, undertaking compliance audits frequently, and keeping records comprehensively.
It is important to know about the regulations that are related to the business such as GDPR and HIPAA. Compliance audits on a regular basis can help in the detection of any shortcomings in regard to security measures. Compliance documentation can be a valuable tool in the organization as it demonstrates the company’s commitment to following the rules set out by the regulators.
9. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)
APTs are long-term and specific cyber attacks designed to acquire information or sabotage systems for an extended period. These attacks are normally complex and have a tendency of being executed in a very organized manner. The best strategies against APTs are constant surveillance, threat intelligence, and an effective incident response plan.
In essence, the monitoring process can identify activities that are considered as indicators of an APT. Threat intelligence assists organizations in being aware of new threats and techniques that are being used by the attackers. An incident response plan that is well thought out and updated periodically will help in quick and efficient handling of any possible breaches.
Did you know that a software framework or application can be implemented without requiring any coding knowledge? In 2024, it’s possible to create a digital workplace, applications for internal management within an organization, or simply develop applications for fun, all without any coding knowledge.
Thanks to technology, these no-code app builders allow users to easily and quickly create applications. We’ve compiled the 7 best no-code app builders of 2024 for you, where you can build your applications or even set up a digital shop. Here they are:
Jotform’s app builder, one of its significant products alongside its form builder, tables, report builder, and PDF editor, enables users to create applications effortlessly without requiring coding knowledge. With its diverse integrations and a wide array of ready-made templates, this app builder offers convenience for various purposes within the Jotform ecosystem.
Users can easily create a company portal or store internal documents for easy access using Jotform’s user-friendly drag-and-drop design interface, and effectively monitor data using its complementary tools like spreadsheets and streamlined collaboration through approval workflows. Additionally, users can download their apps on any smartphone, computer, or tablet and quickly share them via links, emails, or QR codes.
Moreover, through the app builder, users can create digital store apps with various payment integrations, enabling them to transition their businesses into the digital business environment.
Image source: www.jotform.com
Features
Customize your app with drag-and-drop forms and elements.
Choose from over 600 app templates to kickstart your app creation process.
Access various payment processing options across devices.
Easily share your app by generating a QR code.
Access your app from any device.
Customize CSS to tailor the appearance of your forms.
Integrate with CRM systems for streamlined data management.
Efficiently manage form submissions.
Pricing
Jotform’s pricing depends on the expected usage of your forms. All plans provide access to every feature except HIPAA friendly features. With yearly subscriptions, users receive a 20% discount. These subscriptions comprise of four distinct plans:
Starter Plan: Free, with a monthly limit of 100 submissions.
Bronze Plan: $34 monthly, allowing up to 1,000 submissions per month.
Silver Plan: $39 monthly, providing a monthly submission limit of 2,500.
Gold Plan: $99 monthly, offering a generous monthly submission cap of 10,000.
Moreover, there’s an Enterprise Plan with exclusive features and terms. It’s important to note that Jotform extends a 50% discount to educational institutions and non-profit organizations.
Softr is differentiated from other builders by its functionality on client portals and internal tools. This platform connects complex data management systems like Airtable or Google Sheets with user-friendly, customizable applications, allowing users to create fully functional apps without any coding skills. Softr also comes with various integrations, like Stripe for payments and Mailchimp for email marketing.
Although Softr originally focused on assisting entrepreneurs in launching new apps and SaaS businesses—a capability it still excels at—the company has recently shifted its attention to aiding medium to large corporations in constructing internal tools for their operations. It’s worth noting that Softr is not classified as a full-fledged no-code web app builder due to its lack of a built-in database. In addition to accommodating this usage scenario, Softr offers robust SEO support, enhancing the discoverability of Softr-built applications.
Image source: www.softr.io
Features
Efficiently manage memberships.
Handle payments smoothly.
SEO for visibility.
Customize interfaces effortlessly.
Access various data sources.
Automate workflows seamlessly.
Manage users and permissions.
Pricing
Softr has five different plans for different purposes. These are annually billed prices:
Free Plan: Free for individuals building passion projects and 100 external app users limit.
Basic Plan: $49 monthly, allowing up to 1000 external app users.
Professional Plan: $139 monthly, allowing up to 5000 external app users.
Business Plan: $269 monthly, allowing up to 10000 external app users.
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for larger companies that want extra volume, security, and support.
Softr has 2 month-free campaign for annual plans and special plans for non-profits and educational organizations.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur with an innovative app idea or an educator seeking to engage students with interactive projects, Thunkable has you covered. Its user-friendly interface simplifies app development through drag-and-drop components, offering a diverse range from buttons to maps. Thunkable stands out for its ability to generate apps for both iOS and Android simultaneously, reaching a broader audience with a single design. With an extensive library of pre-built templates and components, you have plenty of options for customization, allowing you to bring your unique app ideas to life.
Thunkable seamlessly integrates with various APIs and services, enabling the addition of advanced features like real-time data storage with Firebase or machine learning capabilities. Thunkable, designed specifically for native mobile app creation, offers in-depth logic capabilities for building complex and feature-rich apps. While these components may require additional setup, they significantly enhance app functionality.
Image source: www.thunkable.com
Features
Utilize drag-and-drop elements for easy app creation.
Develop apps for device-native experiences.
Publish directly without intermediaries.
Employ advanced logic blocks for intricate functionalities.
Integrate with various services and APIs for expanded capabilities.
Pricing
Thunkable’s pricing policy is simpler compared to other app builders. With three main tiers, Thunkable offers users a yearly subscription option with two months of free usage.
Free Plan: No subscription fee, and ideal for beginners just getting started.
Starter Plan: $13 monthly billed annually, and ideal for growing your initial idea.
Pro Plan: $38 monthly billed annually, and perfect for building and launching your app.
Bubble is a comprehensive no-code web app builder renowned for its extensive functionality and adaptability, complemented by a vast ecosystem of third-party plugins, tutorials, and expert guidance. It specializes in developing web applications and, with the assistance of third-party plugins, can also create PWAs.
Bubble stands out for its ability to construct virtually any type of application without the need for coding. However, it’s important to note that the learning curve is steeper compared to platforms like Softr, and Bubble apps may not offer the highest level of performance. Bubble is best suited for individuals willing to invest time in mastering its learning curve and aspire to create apps or SaaS products with complex functionality.
The plugin marketplace within Bubble is an invaluable resource, offering pre-built features for a wide range of use cases. While gaining proficiency in app development principles is advisable, leveraging plugins allows users to assemble approximately 80% of their app through drag-and-drop functionality.
For those concerned about the longevity of no-code tools, it’s worth mentioning that Bubble has been in the sector for nearly 12 years and has continued to provide app development for over a decade.
Image source: www.bubble.io
Features
Responsive design for mobile devices and dynamic content.
Unlimited scalability for users, traffic, and data storage.
Password protection or OAuth 2.0 authentication.
Integration with email, SEO, analytics, and other services.
Enhanced user interaction with dynamic and static content elements.
Pricing
Bubble has different plans that are billed at annual prices.
Free Plan: Free, with a limit of 50k workload units/mo, and best for learning how to use Bubble.
Starter Plan: $29 monthly, with a limit of 175k workload units/mo, and best for launching your app and testing.
Growth Plan: $119 monthly, with a limit of 50k workload units/mo, and best for growing your user base.
Team Plan: $349 monthly, with a limit of 500k workload units/mo, and best for scaling your team and business.
Enterprise Plan: Best for maximum security and scale with custom pricing options.
Bubble provides discounts for both students and nonprofit organizations to support education and social impact initiatives.
Backendless is another top no-code platform for developing apps, providing a strong visual programming interface and dependable hosting services. It caters to various app types, including web apps, native mobile apps, and PWAs, though some coding skills may be required for mobile projects. It’s popular for enterprise-level applications, but users need some technical knowledge to use it effectively. One noteworthy aspect of Backendless is its use of a visual programming language originally developed by MIT for teaching children programming. While more sophisticated, it remains accessible compared to traditional coding methods.
Backendless is suitable for individuals familiar with technology and corporate decision-makers seeking efficient app development solutions. It offers a user-friendly interface and various features for creating apps effortlessly. Additionally, it provides flexible deployment options to meet diverse needs without compromising quality or reliability.
Image source: www.backendless.com
Features
Backendless Core supports authentication, data storage, messaging, and custom logic.
Manages data with a graphical browser, SQL search, and relations.
Caching features optimize backend performance with efficient, in-memory data caching.
Cloud Code customizes applications with API services and event handlers.
Pricing
Backendless offers three distinct pricing models. You can begin with a free Backendless Cloud plan that adjusts according to your needs as you expand, or opt for additional assistance and features through Backendless Pro and Managed Backendless.
Backendless Cloud
Starter Plan: No subscription fee and designed for exploring and learning the platform.
Scale Plan: $15 monthly subscription fee and designed for developing your application, publishing it, and managing it.
Backendless Pro
Single Server: $10k per year plan includes on-premise or virtual machine deployment (Ubuntu required), offering all Backendless features in the Limitless Edition, with regular updates and priority support, plus an additional 20% for support.
Clustered: $50k per year plan includes everything in the Single Server plan, with added features such as high availability mode to eliminate single points of failure, available for on-premise or virtual machine deployment with a minimum of 3 nodes, plus an additional 20% for support.
Managed Backendless
Managed Backendless: Custom pricing plan with offering a fully managed, completely isolated cluster with 24×7 monitoring, ensuring smooth and reliable operation with no functional limits for your app’s growth. It combines the limitless features of Backendless Pro with the convenience of Backendless Cloud, providing guaranteed uptime, dedicated installation, and dedicated support for seamless migration and optimal user experience.
Next on our list is Bravo Studio, a unique no-code mobile app builder that seamlessly transforms Figma designs into functional iOS and Android apps. Its standout feature lies in giving designers full control over their app’s design, enabling them to leverage a familiar tool like Figma while incorporating pre-built components or external backends. This makes it an ideal choice for designers seeking flexibility in app creation or looking to connect their front-end designs with existing backends.
The platform offers personalized user onboarding assistance, catering to users unfamiliar with the interface. Additionally, Bravo Studio supports a range of native phone features, including camera usage and GPS tracking, enhancing the app development experience. With its intuitive integration with Figma and support for native app capabilities, Bravo Studio simplifies the process of bringing app ideas to life, making it a valuable choice in the no-code app development landscape.
Image source: www.bravostudio.app
Features
User-friendly login with Firebase.
Payment features for convenience.
Push notifications for engagement.
Customize loading pages easily.
Search and filter options.
Direct publishing to App Store and Google Play.
Collaborate with Figma for design integration.
Pricing
Bravo Studio offers separate pricing plans for individuals and businesses, each with different subscription options. Additionally, there is no charge for two months on annual subscriptions. For a more detailed comparison of pricing and features, we recommend checking out Bravo Studio’s pricing page.
Individuals
Starter Plan: Designed for exploration and learning the platform, with no subscription fee.
Solo Plan: $18 per month, billed annually, and unlock additional features, including app store publishing.
Solo + Advanced Plan: $97 per month, billed annually, plus $80 per app, Solo offers an excellent option to expand your app and understand user behavior.
Solo + Business Plan: $195 per month, billed annually, plus $178 per app, Solo is ideal for high-volume businesses creating robust, monetizable apps.
Teams
Starter Plan: Designed for exploration and learning the platform, with no subscription fee.
Teams: $37 per month per seat, billed annually with a minimum of 10 seats, this plan offers advanced collaboration features for teams along with premium support and additional benefits.
Teams + Advanced: $45 per month per team member, billed annually, plus $9 per app, this plan is ideal for scaling your app and gaining insights into user behavior.
Teams + Business: $55 per month per team member, billed annually, plus $19 per app, this plan is best suited for high-volume businesses creating robust and monetizable apps.
Our last app builder on the list is Glide. Glide is a no-code mobile app builder aimed at businesses, featuring advanced AI capabilities, sleek default designs, and a top-notch PWA experience. It specializes in PWAs and web apps, standing out for its visually appealing default designs and seamless integration of AI functionalities. Ideal for medium to large businesses, Glide’s standout feature is its AI capabilities, enabling tasks like text extraction from images and transcription of audio recordings within apps.
What distinguishes Glide is its focus on accessibility and simplicity. With just a Google account, anyone can start building and sharing apps effortlessly. Additionally, Glide enables users to publish their apps directly to app stores or share them as web apps.
Glide’s user-friendly approach to app development, caters to a diverse range of applications such as internal business tools, client portals, and event management systems. Its vibrant community provides invaluable resources and support, facilitating users throughout the codeless app creation journey.
Image source: www.glideapps.com
Features
Establish portals, dashboards, and directories.
Synchronize and structure data effectively.
Create personalized workflows.
Automate tasks seamlessly.
Integrate with various platforms and services.
Pricing
Glide Apps divides its payment plans into two main groups: “for makers” and “for companies,” and offers a flexible pricing policy. Users can enjoy up to a twenty percent discount with annual subscriptions, and Glide Apps provides convenience through its price calculator application. Here are the fees for each concept:
For Makers
Free Plan: No subscription fee with usage limits of 10 personal users, 2 editors, and 1 app.
Maker Plan: $49 per month billed yearly, better for creating apps for your idea or community.
For Community
Team Plan: $99 per month billed yearly, better for turning your spreadsheets into tools.
Business Plan: $249 per month billed yearly, better for turning your databases into software.
Enterprise Plan: $1,000 per month billed yearly, special for deploying powerful software at scale.
Conclusion
New trending no-code app builders have changed how mobile apps are made. They are letting anyone create them even without coding skills. Remarkable platforms like Jotform Apps or other options like Softr, Thunkable, Bubble, Backendless, Bravo Studio, and Glide offer various features and prices to suit the different needs of users. Whether you’re a designer, business owner, teacher, or big company, there’s a no-code app builder for you. We compiled a list of mobile app developers that are most suitable for you, without requiring any coding knowledge.
In this blog, we’ll explore a selection of top-notch plugins designed to simplify your invoicing and document creation processes. Whether you’re running a WooCommerce store, managing orders in WordPress, or seeking versatile solutions for generating professional invoices and documents, these plugins have got you covered.
Why businesses might need PDF invoice and document generation plugins?
PDF invoice and document generation plugins are invaluable tools for businesses and individuals looking to simplify their invoicing and document creation processes. The ability to generate professional-looking invoices, packing slips, delivery notes, and other documents efficiently is essential for maintaining a polished and organized image.
These plugins offer a range of benefits, including saving time by automating the creation of documents, improving professionalism with branded templates, and enhancing organization by centralizing document management.
With the help of PDF invoice and document generation plugins, businesses can simplify their workflow, impress clients with polished documents, and ensure smoother operations overall.
Best PDF Invoice and Document Generation Plugins to Consider
Let’s dive in and discover the top plugins that can enhance your business efficiency.
1- WooCommerce PDF Invoices, Packing Slips and Credit Notes
With the WooCommerce PDF Invoices plugin, generating professional invoices, packing slips, and credit notes has never been easier.
With this user-friendly plugin, you can automate the generation of PDF documents for invoices, packing slips, and credit notes. It allows you to attach these documents to order emails and customize templates to match your brand.
You can also easily download or print invoices and packing slips, choose custom numbering for documents, and even offer a “pay later” option for customers. These features enhance your store’s functionality and contribute to a smoother and more professional customer experience.
By simplifying the invoicing process and providing advanced customization options, this plugin helps you save time and maintain a professional image for your business.
2- PDF Invoices & Packing Slips for WooCommerce by WP Overnight
The PDF Invoices & Packing Slips plugin by WP Overnight is an essential extension that seamlessly integrates into your store. It automatically adds PDF or UBL invoices to order confirmation emails sent to your valued customers.
With a basic template included and the option to customize or create your own templates, you can ensure that your invoices and packing slips reflect your brand’s identity perfectly. You can even attach invoices to WooCommerce emails of your choice and can also download or print documents directly from the WooCommerce order admin page. This will simplify your order management process.
Furthermore, the plugin offers bulk PDF generation, fully customizable HTML/CSS invoice templates, and multi-language support. With its sequential invoice numbers and custom formatting options, you will also have complete control over the numbering of your invoices.
Overall, you can simplify your order management process, enhance your brand’s image, and elevate the customer experience with this indispensable tool for WooCommerce store owners.
3- WooCommerce Shipping Labels, Dispatch Labels and Delivery Notes
WooCommerce Shipping Labels plugin is a comprehensive plugin designed to simplify your order processing by creating professional dispatch labels, shipping labels, and delivery notes for WooCommerce orders. With custom settings and layouts tailored to your business, this plugin simplifies the generation of essential order documents.
It automatically generates fully customized documents. It offers multiple pre-built layouts to choose from. It also allows you to create your own templates by adding, removing, or editing components of the document layouts to suit your business requirements.
The generated documents can be easily accessed from the order edit page of each order. You can add a ‘Print’ button to order status emails for convenient printing directly from the email. You can also easily add multiple labels to a single page and bulk-print them directly from the admin order page for efficient order processing.
It even allows you to add additional order and product-related information, such as meta fields and product attributes, to your WooCommerce documents. Plus, it offers seamless multilingual support. Overall, this plugin is a great option for simplifying your order processing.
4- Sliced Invoices
Sliced Invoices is a user-friendly WordPress invoicing plugin that simplifies your quoting and invoicing processes. With Sliced Invoices, creating professional quotes and invoices that clients can pay for online has always been easier.
The plugin offers many customization options, including pre-defined line items, customizable email templates, and flexible tax settings. You can also personalize your invoices with your logo and business details, ensuring a polished presentation.
Plus, with features like automatic increment of invoice and quote numbers, customizable templates using CSS, and support for bulk CSV import of quotes and invoices, Sliced Invoices empowers you to manage your invoicing efficiently and effectively.
The plugin also offers features like sending automatic payment reminder emails and cloning existing quotes and invoices, further enhancing your invoicing workflow. Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or agency, Sliced Invoices provides the flexibility and support you need to create professional quotes and invoices with ease.
5- PeproDev Ultimate Invoice
PeproDev Ultimate Invoice is a great solution for generating advanced HTML/PDF invoices for WooCommerce orders. This plugin offers unparalleled customization options, allowing you to create beautiful, professional-looking invoices that perfectly reflect your brand identity.
With PeproDev Ultimate Invoice, you can effortlessly download PDF invoices, email-styled invoices, and attach PDF invoices to WooCommerce emails, packing slips, shipping labels, and shipping tracking. You can provide them with downloadable, customizable styled invoices that meet their expectations.
The plugin offers full customization capabilities. You can customize every aspect of your invoices, from the layout to the design, and even create your own invoice templates, PDF invoice templates, inventory report templates, and packing slip templates. You can also alter plugins via Action/Filter hooks.
With PeproDev Ultimate Invoice, you can simplify your invoicing process and elevate your WooCommerce store
6- WooCommerce Proforma Invoices Plugin
The WooCommerce Proforma Invoices Plugin is an advanced tool designed to simplify the creation of custom proforma invoices for all orders in your WooCommerce store. With this plugin, you can effortlessly generate branded proforma invoices that align with your business standards, complete with advanced settings and layout customizations.
It allows you to automatically generate proforma invoices for all orders in your store and easily customize them by adjusting plugin configurations to suit your needs. You can also customize pre-built layouts by adding, removing, or editing components.
It offers custom numbering options to personalize proforma invoice numbers. You can adjust starting numbers, number formats, and lengths to your preference. You can also add custom fields such as special notes, transport terms, sales terms, and custom footers.
These WooCommerce proforma invoice PDFs can be attached to order emails, along with specific order status emails for attachment. Customers can also print invoices directly from the ‘My accounts’ page of your store, either individually or in bulk.
Plus, it offers seamless multilingual support. overall, you can simplify your invoicing process and elevate your business standards with the WooCommerce Proforma Invoices Plugin.
7- WooCommerce PDF Invoice Builder by RedNao
WooCommerce PDF Invoice Builder by RedNao is an innovative plugin that revolutionizes PDF creation for your WooCommerce store. With its intuitive drag-and-drop builder, you can effortlessly create invoices, packing slips, credit notes, and more.
The plugin allows you to easily customize fields such as dates, invoice numbers, and billing addresses, and personalize detail tables with different colors, styles, and columns. Plus, it offers over 500 icons, image support, and style designer, with which you can make your PDF invoice unique and professional.
You can download your PDFs directly from your dashboard or configure them to be sent within WooCommerce emails. It also offers a variety of PDF templates to choose from if you’re short on time. The plugin automatically formats amounts using the currency of the order.
Also, with configurable invoice numbers and file names, WooCommerce PDF Invoice Builder by RedNao offers unparalleled flexibility and convenience for your invoicing needs.
8- Challan
Challan is a comprehensive PDF Invoice & Packing Slip plugin for WooCommerce that simplifies your invoicing process effortlessly. With Challan, you can automatically generate PDF invoices and packing slips, attaching them to order confirmation emails based on the configured order status.
Its intuitive drag-and-drop builder makes creating and printing invoices a breeze. From resizing PDFs to bulk downloading invoices and packing slips, Challan simplifies the sales and purchasing process.
Its customization options ensure your documents reflect your brand’s identity perfectly. Challan allows you to set shipping and billing information, order data, customer notes, tax details, and more with ease. You can also customize invoice numbers, order titles, product details, and templates effortlessly, and tailor the invoice style using custom CSS.
Plus, with features like automatic attachment of invoices and packing slips to order confirmation emails, delivery address generation, and sequential order numbering, Challan empowers you to create professional and organized invoices and packing slips for your WooCommerce store.
9- Flexible PDF Invoices for WooCommerce & WordPress
Flexible PDF Invoices for WooCommerce & WordPress is a versatile plugin that empowers you to create invoices effortlessly, whether for WooCommerce orders or standalone transactions within WordPress. With this plugin, you can issue VAT invoices seamlessly, simplifying your invoicing process across all platforms.
The free version of Flexible PDF Invoices offers a range of powerful features, including the ability to issue PDF invoices for WooCommerce orders and manually create VAT invoices in both WooCommerce and WordPress.
The plugin allows you to easily manage invoices as custom post types, add, edit, and delete invoices with ease, and send them manually as needed. You can also customize your PDF invoice templates to suit VAT taxpayers and VAT-exempt entities and generate and download invoices in bulk by date range for efficient invoicing.
Plus, with options to add payment info, additional notes, and custom numbering of invoices, Flexible PDF Invoices provides the flexibility and convenience you need to manage your invoicing efficiently.
10- Print Invoice & Delivery Notes for WooCommerce
Print Invoice & Delivery Notes for WooCommerce is yet another powerful tool that simplifies the process of printing invoices and delivery notes for WooCommerce orders. With this plugin, you can effortlessly print out invoices and delivery notes, customize them with your company or shop details, and even add personal notes, conditions, or policies.
The plugin seamlessly integrates into your WooCommerce order management system, adding a convenient side panel for administrators on the order edit page. This allows you to print invoices or delivery notes quickly.
Additionally, registered customers can easily print their orders with a button added to the order screen. It also offers features like bulk printing, allows customers to print orders from their account page, and includes print links in customer emails for added convenience.
With support for simple and sequential invoice numbering, as well as compatibility with the WooCommerce refund system, this plugin offers flexibility and functionality to meet your invoicing needs.
Conclusion
Investing in PDF invoice and document generation plugins can revolutionize how businesses manage invoicing and document creation processes.
With the ability to automate tasks, improve professionalism, and enhance organization, these plugins offer invaluable solutions for managing operations and impressing clients. Whether you’re a small business owner or a seasoned professional, integrating these plugins into your workflow can lead to significant time savings and improved efficiency.
