Blog

Plain-English help with invoices, pricing, tax maths, PDFs and more, each with a free tool to do the job.

How to make an invoice: a step-by-step guide

Create your first professional invoice in minutes: what to write, how to number it, how to add tax and how to send it, with a free invoice generator.

5 min read
How to merge PDF files on any device

Combine PDFs into one on any device: built-in Mac and iPhone options, what to do on Windows and Android, and a free private online method.

5 min read
How to convert JPG to PDF on your phone

Turn photos into a PDF on your phone: the built-in iPhone methods, the easiest way on Android, and tips for small, readable files.

4 min read
How to reduce a photo to 100 KB (or any size limit)

Online forms often limit photos to 50, 100 or 200 KB. Learn how to shrink a photo to the size you need without making it unreadable.

4 min read
How to create a WhatsApp QR code for your business

Let customers start a WhatsApp chat by scanning a QR code, with an optional pre-filled message. Free, no app needed, never expires.

4 min read
How to track a parcel with only the tracking number

Find out which courier has your parcel from the tracking number alone, check the number for typos, and what to do when tracking stops updating.

4 min read
What is 2FA? Two-factor authentication explained simply

Two-factor authentication explained: how 6-digit authenticator codes work, SMS vs app codes, backup codes, and how to avoid getting locked out.

5 min read
How to extract text from a PDF

Copy text from a PDF quickly, download it as a text file, and understand why scanned PDFs don't give any text.

3 min read
How to crop a photo for a passport, visa or ID application

Crop a photo to passport proportions at home, avoid the most common rejection reasons, and meet file size limits for online applications.

4 min read
How to write a receipt for a payment

What a proper payment receipt includes, how to show part payments and deposits, and how to create a professional receipt as PDF for free.

4 min read
How to split a PDF and save only the pages you need

Extract the pages you need from a PDF into a new file on any device, without uploading it, plus how to delete or reorder pages.

3 min read
How to write a quotation that wins customers

What to include in a business quotation, how to price it, how long it should be valid, and how to follow up, with a free quotation maker.

5 min read
What to include on an invoice: a complete checklist

The details every professional invoice should include, from invoice numbers and dates to tax, payment terms and bank details, with a printable checklist.

5 min read
Quotation, proforma invoice, invoice or receipt: which one do you need?

Understand when to send a quotation, a proforma invoice, an invoice or a receipt, and what each document means for you and your customer.

4 min read
How to calculate VAT or GST: add and remove tax

Simple formulas to add VAT, GST or sales tax to a price and to work out the tax included in a total, with worked examples and common mistakes.

4 min read
Profit margin vs markup: the difference that costs businesses money

Margin and markup are not the same. Learn both formulas, convert between them, and set prices for the margin you need.

4 min read
How to number your invoices

Practical invoice numbering systems for small businesses, with examples, plus what to do when you make a mistake.

3 min read
Invoice payment terms explained

What common payment terms like Net 30, Due on receipt, 2/10 Net 30 and EOM mean, and how to choose terms that get you paid faster.

4 min read
How to make a PDF smaller for email or upload forms

Practical ways to reduce PDF size: compress images before making the PDF, scan at the right resolution, split large files and remove unneeded pages.

4 min read
How to sign a PDF without printing it

How to add a typed or drawn signature to a PDF on your phone or computer, and the difference between a visible signature and a certified digital signature.

4 min read
QR codes for small business: practical uses and printing tips

Useful ways small businesses use QR codes: menus, payments, Wi-Fi, WhatsApp, contact cards and reviews, plus sizing and printing tips so they always scan.

4 min read
Barcodes for small business: which type do you need?

Which barcode to use for stock, SKUs and retail products, when you need GS1 numbers, and how to print labels that scan reliably.

5 min read
How to turn phone photos into one PDF document

Photograph receipts, IDs or paperwork and combine them into a single, readable PDF, with tips for sharp, straight, small files.

3 min read
Delivery notes, purchase orders and credit notes explained

What delivery notes, purchase orders and credit notes are, who issues them, and how they fit with quotations and invoices.

4 min read

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