Several weeks ago now, we published a blog entry on how EmailMeForm benefits home-based service businesses. One tip we shared in that content was to create an invoice form to send as a payment form to enable you to collect funds on the fly.
It was recently pointed out that I failed to explain precisely how to create a payment form to connect to PayPal.
Today, we will correct that oversight so you can streamline your process and get that money flooding in faster than you thought possible. All you will need is a smartphone (or a tablet), EmailMeForm and PayPal account.
We will be creating an invoice that doubles as a payment form, connect it to PayPal, and have you working more productively in just a few minutes. Take a look.
But, first…
You need a payment form.
Before you can connect your invoice to your Paypal, you need a payment form. Fortunately for you, the friendly folks over in EmailMeForm’s engineering department have created several options that you can customize to suit your needs.
So, instead of starting from scratch, let’s grab one of those forms and keep it simple to start.
Log in to your EmailMeForm Account and get started
Get logged in to your account, and you will arrive at your Form Manager. In the left-hand corner, you will see a gold “New” button. Click that button.
This will prompt you to choose an option from the “Add Form” prompt. Today, we will select the “template” option.
Now, the fun part begins.
Choose a payment form template
You have now opened up our inventory of templates. As you will see, we offer a tremendous variety of forms. To narrow the search, use the search function to find the form you need.
I typed in the term “Payment Form” and immediately found several options. Hover above the template you like and click the “Use Template” button that appears. I chose the Service Invoice template.
Welcome to the Form Builder
You will open up the Form Builder, and you can customize your invoice form to suit your own needs.
Across the top of the left side, you see three tabs: Form Settings, Field Settings, and Add Field. You may customize these with your company information, add or delete fields, and add security, such as the “mask email” setting (especially since you’ll be sending from a mobile network).
I changed the name of the form to make it more personal looking and clicked the “mask email” option.
Save your form. Then, choose “Take me back to Form Manager.”
Work with your new payment form and connect to PayPal
Congratulations! You’ve created a professional-looking and secure payment form.
Now, you’ll use that online form to connect it to PayPal, the world’s most trusted payment gateway. Knowing that you use PayPal is essential to customers, as they trust it as one of the most secure payment methods (among many options) in the world.
Find your invoice form in the Form Manager, hover over it, and click the “Options” button that appears.
From here, you will opt for “Payment” to add your payment information and connect your online form over to PayPal.
Enter your payment settings
The payment set up screen will look like this:
From there, enter your payment information in sections 1, 2, and 3.
Here are a few hints.
Make sure the “enable payment” option (just above #1) is checked.
#1 - Merchant Set up
Use your PayPal log-in email address, not your business email, if they are different. If PayPal doesn’t recognize this email address, the process won’t work.
#2 - Payment Options
This is where you add your preferred currency and set your receipt preferences.
#3 - Assign Prices
Here, you can set pre-defined prices in a table (which is the default). However, because you are a service provider, you will most likely need to send customized invoice prices, so we will go that route in our example.
Instead, you are going to choose the drop down that says “Select a Price Enabled Field” and choose “Invoiced Amount.” See, fully customizable from every job site.
Finally, save your payment settings before you leave.
Test your form
The last thing you need to do before you begin sending invoices from your service vehicle? Test your form to ensure that it works for you.
Complete your invoice form yourself, click submit, and you will be redirected to PayPal to complete it.
Send Payment Forms Safely and Securely
Now, when it’s time to bill a customer, you can create an invoice right from your job site, and send it right away. This practice both cuts down on the time you spend in the office completing billing-related tasks and also cuts down on your aging reports. Customers will pay faster when you make it as easy as using PayPal.
Rest assured that EmailMeForm secures your online form data. We take data security seriously, and you are protecting your company and your customer’s data when you choose to partner with us.
You’re protected, your customers are protected, and you get your cash faster–what are you waiting for?
Collecting credit card numbers?
If you’re collecting credit card information from customers, we strongly recommend that you use a credit card authorization form. And to store your collected data via our Vault Program to adhere to PCI Compliance.
Deborah Tayloe
Deborah is a blogger and freelancer who often writes for EmailMeForm. When she’s not blogging, you’ll probably find Deborah working on DIY projects around her home in North Carolina.
