Shopify Order Confirmations vs Sufio Invoices: Why Relying on Order Emails Could Cost Your Business

Order confirmation emails certainly have their uses. Chances are, most Shopify merchants have sent out more of these little messages than they can count. They’re great for building trust, confirming purchase details, and keeping customers up to date. However, when it comes to the nitty-gritty of business operations, they don’t quite make the cut.

Leaning too heavily on these emails as a catch-all can leave you in a sticky situation. From a legal standpoint, relying solely on order confirmations is enough to keep an accountant awake at night. Equally, they can be a bookkeeping nightmare for your customers. 11% of customers never even receive an invoice, which is far from the ideal customer experience. This is where invoicing apps save the day.

Let’s explore why order confirmation emails alone aren’t enough and how a Shopify invoicing app like Sufio can soothe those tax season headaches.

Order confirmation emails vs invoicing: what’s the difference?

At first glance, it’s easy to think these documents are two sides of the same coin. Many merchants stick to a single email in the name of efficiency. After all, if one document is doing the trick, why send another? In reality, order confirmations and invoices serve very different purposes.

Let’s take a look at the key differences between the two.

Order Confirmation Emails

An order confirmation is a digital receipt of purchase. Typically, it includes a polite “thank you” message alongside basic purchase details and shipping information. While useful, you may notice that it misses some key pieces of the puzzle.

Invoices

Invoices are legally binding documents that feature vital tax information and detailed payment terms. They’re the formal handshake to the casual high-five of the order confirmation email, ensuring compliance with tax laws. Invoices are also crucial for bookkeeping purposes, both for merchants and customers.

Using order confirmations alone can cause issues. It might seem convenient in the short term, but without the formal structure of an invoice, you open yourself up to legal risks, tax issues, and delayed payments. No one wants to sift through emails trying to figure out what was paid, what wasn’t, and where those VAT details are. Order confirmations are a great start, but they can’t do the job of an invoice.

Why order confirmation emails aren’t enough

Running a compliant, efficient business requires more than order confirmation emails. Here’s why you should re-evaluate how you use them.

Failing to meet legal requirements

Order confirmations don’t tick the necessary legal boxes. Authorities expect clear, detailed reports of all business transactions. Since confirmation emails only provide surface-level information, they don’t meet this standard. Proper invoicing is needed to avoid any legal issues.

Issues with tracking payments

While order confirmations reassure customers that their purchase went through, they don’t help track payment deadlines. Without proper invoices, managing cash flow becomes challenging. Include a link to an invoice to ensure all key details—like payment deadlines and outstanding balances—are recorded for smooth payment tracking.

Meeting Tax Criteria

Invoices capture detailed tax breakdowns. Trust us, future you will be thankful come tax return season. Invoices are built to outline tax amounts for each transaction. Relying on order confirmations could mean missing tax deductions or owing more than expected. Clear, itemized tax documentation helps you avoid these pitfalls.

Transparency around deadlines and terms

Invoices lay out all the key details, keeping both you and your customers on the same page. Unlike order confirmations, invoices clearly outline financial obligations, reducing misunderstandings. It’s the difference between a handshake deal and a signed contract—guess which one holds up better in a dispute?

Keeping up as you scale

Sifting through order confirmations manually becomes a headache as you grow. Invoicing apps like Sufio automate these processes, reducing costly errors and handling all invoicing complexities.

Benefits of Using an Invoicing App for North American Merchants

Now that the limitations of relying on order confirmation emails are clear, you might be wondering how to switch to invoicing without adding to your workload. Enter invoicing apps. Using software like Sufio takes care of it all. Here are some benefits of ditching the emails and switching to invoicing:

• VAT Invoices for EU-Based Customers: An email simply isn’t enough for European customers. If they have to constantly get in touch to request the invoices they need, this could put strain on your relationships. Sufio ensures they have the correct documentation without having to chase.
• Automation Features: From sending invoices to tracking payments, invoicing apps automate everything. No more painstaking paperwork or scatterbrain emails.
• Easy Tax Compliance: With Sufio, every invoice meets local tax requirements, helping you stay compliant without the stress.
• Professionalism and Branding: Customize your invoices with your logo, colors, and fonts to maintain brand identity. Choose invoice templates to suit you.
• Gain Customer Trust: An official invoice reassures customers they’re dealing with a professional and legitimate business.
• Simplified Bookkeeping: Invoicing apps for Shopify make bookkeeping a breeze, ensuring all your data is organized and ready when tax time comes.
• Multi-Currency Invoicing: With multi-currency invoicing features, international transactions are handled smoothly and accurately.

Why Sufio Is the Perfect Shopify Invoicing Solution for You

If you value all these benefits, look no further than Sufio. From automating invoicing and ensuring tax compliance to providing customization and multi-currency features, you’ll never settle for order confirmation emails again.

For example, WANDRD, a North American travel gear company, switched to Sufio and streamlined their invoicing process. They’ve saved countless hours while ensuring tax compliance and maintaining a professional image. What’s more, they now better serve the VAT invoicing needs of their EU-based customers through automation. Efficient invoicing has become one of their most valuable business tools.

Choose Sufio for Your Invoicing Needs

Invoicing isn’t just a good idea—it’s a necessity. Order confirmation emails are helpful, but they don’t hold up in terms of legality, professionalism, or efficiency.

With Sufio, you get a complete Shopify invoicing solution that’s compliant, professional, and easy to use. Ready to wave goodbye to order confirmations and say hello to quality invoicing? Start your 14-day free trial today or explore our pricing plans to get started.