I'm so excited to write my first post for this blog. OK, so technically it's my second post… but this is my first business tip, and it's about money.

One thing that I do in my business is include a receipt with every order I send out. I know my online shop has a function that emails a receipt to the customer when they pay for their order, but I like to include a paper receipt too.

This helps me when I am packing orders as I print out a copy of the receipt and tick it off as I pack each parcel. This helps me and the customer know that everything they have ordered is in the package.

On my receipt template, I include a nice message thanking customers for their order. This helps with customer service as often the only contact I have with customers is through the Internet.

If the order is being sent as a gift, I will send a copy of the receipt in the mail to the person who ordered the gift. This is sent out at the same time as the package with a note confirming the package was sent that day. Again, I know my online shop sends out an automatic confirmation when I tick the box, but having something in the mail is a bit special. I also sometimes include a voucher or something from one of my alliance partners (but that is a topic for another post).

There was one day when I thought I'd sent all packages, and then found a receipt that had slipped off my packing table! Finding the receipt let me know that all packages hadn't been done and the customers order was sent first thing the next day and it wasn't forgotten.

The receipts are generated through Quickbooks, my accounting software. By including a print out of them, I also know that all my orders have been entered into the package.

Love, Erica