How to send quotes and collect payments online
Sending a quote is easy. Getting paid is often the hardest part.
Even though online payments have become standard in many industries, many freelancers, contractors, tradespeople and small businesses still rely on separate tools to manage quotes, invoices and payments. The result is more back-and-forth communication, longer payment delays, late payments and a higher risk of unpaid invoices.
The problem is that solutions designed to connect quotes and payments are often expensive, difficult to set up or built for larger organizations. They rarely meet the needs of freelancers and small businesses looking for a simple and practical solution.
That's exactly why Siklop was created: to help businesses manage quotes, invoicing and online payments from a single platform without complex setup or multiple software subscriptions.
In summary
The simplest way to send quotes and collect payments online is to use software that connects online payments directly to your quotes and invoices.
Why connect payments to your quotes?
Connecting payments to your quotes allows you to adapt your payment process to each project without multiplying tools or creating unnecessary back-and-forth with your clients.
Depending on your needs, you may choose to request a deposit before starting a project, collect full payment as soon as the quote is accepted, or convert the quote into an invoice and collect the remaining balance once the work has been completed.
The goal is not necessarily to get paid immediately, but to create a simple process that makes it easier to move from quote to payment.
With Siklop, all of these options are available within a single platform. You can, for example, convert a quote into an invoice in just a few clicks and request either the remaining balance or the full amount once your work is complete. To learn more, read our tutorial: Convert a quote into an invoice.
This flexibility makes it easy to adapt to a wide range of industries while providing a smoother experience for your clients.
How to add online payments to your quotes?
The simplest way to collect payments from your quotes is to use software that combines quote creation, invoicing and online payments in a single platform.
However, not all quote software offers the same capabilities. Some solutions only allow you to create quotes, while others require additional tools, integrations or modules to handle online payments.
Before choosing a solution, make sure it covers the entire process, from sending a quote to collecting payment from your client.
What features should quote software with online payments include?
| Feature | Spreadsheet | Traditional CRM / ERP | Siklop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Create quotes | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Share quotes online | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Built-in online payments | ❌ | ⚠️ Often requires additional modules | ✅ |
| Deposit management | ❌ | ⚠️ Varies depending on the solution | ✅ |
| Convert quotes into invoices | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Invoice remaining balances | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Electronic signature | ❌ | ⚠️ Depending on the plan or options | ✅ |
| Easy setup | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Affordable for small businesses | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
As this comparison shows, spreadsheets make it easy to create quotes but generally do not provide any built-in way to collect payments. Traditional CRM and ERP systems often offer advanced features, but they usually come with higher costs, more complex setup requirements and additional configuration.
Siklop was designed to offer the right balance between simplicity and functionality by allowing businesses to manage quotes, deposits, invoicing and online payments from a single platform.
FAQ
How do I send a quote with credit card payment?
Credit card payments must be supported by the quote software you use. If you create your quotes with a spreadsheet or basic invoicing software, this functionality is usually not available natively. In that case, you will need additional tools to send payment links or share your banking details, which adds complexity and creates extra steps for both you and your clients.
Some platforms offer online payment integration, but they are often designed for larger organizations and may require additional modules, advanced configuration or expensive annual subscriptions.
Siklop offers a simpler approach by integrating online payments directly into quotes and invoices. As a cloud-based solution accessible from any device, it allows your clients to pay deposits, invoices or full payments using credit cards, Apple Pay and other supported payment methods without complex setup or technical configuration.
How can I request a deposit on an online quote?
To request a deposit on an online quote, your software must be able to connect the quote directly to a payment system. Without this functionality, you will usually need to send the quote first and then request the deposit separately through a bank transfer, check or external payment link.
While this approach works, it often creates additional back-and-forth communication with clients and increases the risk of delayed or forgotten payments.
With Siklop, you can define a deposit directly on your quote. Once the document has been sent, your client can review the quote, accept it and immediately pay the requested deposit from the same workflow. This makes it easier to secure the start of a project, job or service while providing a smoother experience for your clients.
Can I receive payment before starting a project or service?
Yes. In many industries, it is common practice to request a deposit before starting a project, job or service. This helps secure the order, confirm the client's commitment and reduce the risk of unpaid invoices.
To make the process easier, the payment can be linked directly to the quote. Instead of sending a quote first and requesting payment separately afterward, your client receives a single document that allows them to review your proposal and make the required payment.
With Siklop, you can request a deposit when the quote is accepted and receive payment before the work begins without sending additional documents, payment links or banking details.
Is it possible to receive payments without sharing my bank details?
Yes. With software that includes online payments, your clients do not need your bank account details to complete a payment.
With Siklop, you only need to connect a Stripe account once. If you do not already have one, creating a Stripe account is free and usually takes only a few minutes. Once connected, all payments received from your quotes and invoices can be processed automatically.
Funds never pass through Siklop. Payments are securely processed by Stripe and transferred directly to your bank account according to Stripe's payout schedule.
From your client's perspective, the process is similar to any online purchase. When they click the payment button, they are taken to a secure payment page displaying the amount due and your company name. They can then pay using a credit card, Apple Pay or other supported payment methods without ever seeing your bank account details.
The Stripe connection only needs to be configured once. After that, you can send as many quotes and invoices as needed without sharing your bank details or manually creating payment links for each client.
What quote software allows you to collect payments online?
Not all quote software allows businesses to collect payments online. Spreadsheets such as Excel or Google Sheets do not provide built-in payment functionality, while some professional solutions require additional modules, third-party integrations or more expensive subscriptions to enable online payments.
To collect payments directly from your quotes, it is important to choose software that can manage quote creation, online payments, deposits, invoicing and payment tracking within the same platform.
Siklop was built with this goal in mind. The platform allows you to create quotes, request deposits, collect online payments, convert quotes into invoices and collect remaining balances from a single interface. Connecting a Stripe account is all that is required to activate payments and start collecting payments from clients without complex setup or advanced configuration.
