Overview

Getting paid should be easy. BlueClerk integrates with Stripe to accept credit card payments directly on your invoices. Customers can pay online with one click, and the money goes straight to your bank account.

Payment Methods

Credit/Debit Cards (via Stripe)

If you've connected Stripe:

Customers see a "Pay Now" button on invoices
They enter card details securely
Payment processes instantly
Status updates to Paid automatically

Other Payment Methods

For payments received outside BlueClerk:

Cash
Check
ACH/Bank transfer
Other

You manually record these payments to mark invoices as paid.

Online Payments (Stripe)

How It Works

Customer receives invoice via email
They click "Pay Now"
Enter payment details on secure Stripe page
Submit payment
Confirmation sent to both parties
Invoice marked Paid automatically

Customer Experience

The payment process is:

Secure (bank-level encryption)
Simple (just card number, expiry, CVC)
Fast (processes in seconds)
Mobile-friendly

Fees

Stripe charges processing fees (typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction):

You can absorb these fees
Or pass to customer (check local regulations)
Fees are deducted before payout

Recording Manual Payments

When to Record

Record a payment when you receive:

Cash or check
Wire transfer or ACH
Payment through another system
Any non-Stripe payment

How to Record

Open the invoice
Click "Record Payment"
Enter payment details:
- Amount received
- Payment method (Cash, Check, ACH, Other)
- Payment date
- Reference number (check number, confirmation, etc.)
- Notes (optional)
Save the payment

The invoice balance updates automatically.

Partial Payments

Receiving Partial Payment

Sometimes customers pay in installments:

Record the payment as usual
Enter the partial amount
Invoice shows:
- Amount paid
- Remaining balance due
- Status: "Partially Paid"

Multiple Payments

Continue recording payments until paid in full:

Invoice Total: $500.00
Payment 1:     $200.00
Payment 2:     $300.00
───────────────────────
Balance Due:   $0.00
Status:        Paid

Payment Status

Invoice Statuses After Payment

Partially Paid: Some payment received, balance remains
Paid: Full amount received

Viewing Payment History

On each invoice, see:

All payments received
Dates and amounts
Payment methods
Who recorded each payment

Payouts (Getting Your Money)

Stripe Payouts

After customers pay via Stripe:

Funds process through Stripe
Payouts sent to your bank account
Default: 2 business days
Check Stripe dashboard for details

Payout Schedule

Configure in your Stripe dashboard:

Daily payouts
Weekly payouts
Monthly payouts

Tips

Connect Stripe for easier payments - most customers prefer card
Record manual payments promptly to keep records accurate
Include payment instructions in invoice notes
Follow up on overdue invoices
Reconcile payments regularly

Common Questions

Q: What if a payment fails? A: Failed card payments show an error to the customer. They can try again with a different card.

Q: Can I refund a payment? A: Refunds are processed through Stripe. Go to your Stripe dashboard to issue refunds.

Q: How do I handle disputed payments? A: Disputes (chargebacks) are handled through Stripe. Respond with documentation of work performed.

Q: Are there transaction limits? A: Stripe may have limits for new accounts. These increase as you build history.

Q: Can I charge a card on file? A: Currently, customers enter payment info each time for security. Recurring billing may be added later.

Accepting Payments