A payment plan with a button for each instalment

A payment plan splits one large price into parts with dates attached. Each part gets its own line and Pay button here, and paid ones tick off, so nobody has to dig through messages to learn what's next. Payments go through your connected Stripe account.

When to use it

• A bathroom refit costs too much to pay at once, but three stages are manageable.
• Stage payments should follow milestones, such as after the rough-in.
• A customer is behind on a bill and has asked to pay it off over a few months.
• A course or a large order is sold with the option of paying in parts.

What a good one includes

• The full amount and number of payments, right at the top.
• A label for each stage. 'After rough-in' tells the customer why that money is due then.
• A due date on each, not just 'monthly', so there's no doubt when one's late.
• What the work is, which ties this schedule to a specific job.
• Instalments that add up exactly to the total. Check this before sending, as rounding is where plans go wrong.

Make one by saying what you need

Text it, type it or say it, the way you'd tell a colleague:

Payment plan for Devon at Willow Landscapes: $6,000 patio, $2,000 now, $2,000 when the slabs are down, $2,000 at the end.

Questions

Can I charge interest on a payment plan?

Be careful. Charging interest or fees for paying over time can bring consumer credit rules into play in many places, so get advice before adding either.

What happens if a payment is missed?

Say so in your notes or agreement, such as pausing work until it's paid. The page shows what's been paid, and it won't chase on its own unless you set up a reminder.

Do later buttons ask for the right amount?

Yes. After a payment, the next button asks for the next part, so the customer doesn't pay twice for the same stage.