From invoices and statements to purchase orders and repair forms, every business needs various types of business forms. For most businesses, time is money, and business leaders are looking to do things as quickly and efficiently as possible. By using forms designed uniquely for their products and services, businesses can simplify daily activities. The right forms, in the correct size, layout, and design, can help business leaders streamline their order processing, organize their finances, keep operations on track, and advertise their brand.
Of course, each business will be different and have unique needs. Your Safeguard Advisor will work with you to produce forms that meet your requirements and budget.
What are the different types of business forms?
Many types of business forms are essential for a company to pay, get paid, and manage their business. These forms include purchase order forms, service and repair forms, shipping and receiving forms, and statement and invoice forms.
4 Common Business Forms
The proper business forms help companies record sales, facilitate payment, and avoid misunderstandings. Some forms, such as invoices, statements, purchase orders, and sales receipts, are used practically unilaterally by all businesses. These are the four most common business forms:
- Invoices: When businesses allow customers to pay for a product or service at a later date versus when the product or service is delivered, they need to bill customers using an invoice.
- Statements: A business may send a statement each month outlining open invoices payments made to the account. When an account is past due companies may choose to stamp the statement with a past due notice to encourage prompt payment.
- Purchase orders: Businesses can use purchase orders to track purchases and track how they are paying for the orders and when the items are arriving. Issued by the buyer to a supplier in advance of receiving goods or services, purchase orders help to avoid miscommunication as well as serve as a way for the buyer to make sure they got exactly what they ordered.
- Sales forms: Sales forms are provided to the buyers when businesses require payment at the time of purchase or when the goods or services are delivered and paid for. These forms, issued by the seller and given to the buyer, serve as proof the product or service was purchased and paid for.
4 Specialized Business Forms
While many types of business forms are more universal, some businesses have unique needs and may use different forms to help outline potential work or services or record information unique to their business.
- Proposal: Contractors often use a proposal to define what will be done clearly and the costs associated with the work. Typically, a proposal includes a professionally worded disclaimer to prevent misunderstandings about the acceptance and terms of the proposal. The proposal generally consists of a customer sign-off line where they agree to the work being done and commit to cost.
- Repair orders: Automotive businesses will use repair orders to write up service details quickly. These forms track the whole job, including labor, parts, and accessories.
- Service orders: Janitorial, pest control, appliance repair, and other companies that provide an on-site service may use service orders to record labor hours, parts, expenses, and fees.
- Bill of lading: Companies that ship items via freight must complete a bill of lading form detailing the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being carried. A legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper can also serve as a shipment receipt when the carrier delivers the goods to the destination.
Personalized Business Forms Improve Efficiency and Make a Good Impression
Your company image is one of your most important assets, and well-designed forms improve operations for your business. When a pre-designed form doesn’t fit the business needs, your Safeguard Advisor can help create business forms that work specifically for your company. Businesses can customize forms with all the required information fields they need.
Personalized forms can help businesses:
- Strengthen their brand: Include your logo and overall company colors for a consistent, professional image.
- Increase sales: List your products and services to improve customer awareness and grow your sales.
- Save time: Include perforations to make forms easier and quicker to fold.
- Speed cash flow: Eye-catching color forms stand out in the mail and encourage quicker payments.
- Save money: Pre-designed forms use up to 10 times less toner, saving on toner cost, printer wear, and maintenance.
Personalized forms portray a professional image, make a good impression with customers and potential customers, and can improve efficiency by making it easy to capture information specific to the business.
Safeguard knows the proper forms can help your company streamline operations, eliminate errors, and look professional. Contact your Safeguard Advisor for products, services, and advice that make managing your business more accessible and practical. Call 855.778.3124 to get started.
Key Takeaways
- Every business needs a variety of different types of business forms.
- Businesses can simplify and streamline daily activities by using forms designed uniquely for their products and services.
- Personalized business forms help companies record sales, facilitate payment, and avoid misunderstandings.
- Your Safeguard Advisor can help you create personalized business forms that work for your company.