I use Billings as my primary tool for building estimates and invoices for my graphic design business. While I don't use many of the built-in reports in my normal workflow, I do get a lot of mileage out of the ability to create reusable items and services. Building invoices and estimates used to be a chore, and now the friction is gone.

I was building invoices in Pages, but that meant copy and pasting client info in each time I made one. It also meant there was no easy system for knowing when an invoice was overdue or paid. I needed a piece of software that could help me build invoices and keep track of the info related to them.

Billings blew me away immediately. I had been test driving it at the same time as MacFreelance, but I found myself having to change how I thought in order to use the other program. With Billings, I feel like the software was created by someone who has a similar workflow to me. And so the tools I need are always right there. Friction is anything in my workflow that slows me down, costs me money or adds to my stress. Billings removes the friction.

I would have to say that there was an added level of respect that came from using Billings. Of course, my clients don't know, or care, what software I use. But it's clear to them that I use something powerful and professional, and that speaks volumes about the quality of the work they will get from me. I have never felt that Billings slows me down; quite the opposite, I feel like it has offered me the room to grow that I needed.

When my invoices "feel" official, they are more effective. Payments have come in faster, and with little to no quarreling. I read about some freelancers who are 60-90 days out on their accounts receivable, and that just blows me away. I get paid right away nearly every time. And I can honestly say that Billings plays a large part in that.