How to Chase an Unpaid Invoice as a Web Designer

Why web designers get paid late

• Final payment is withheld while the client keeps asking for "one more change".
• Launch is delayed by the client's content, so the final milestone never seems to arrive.

How to get paid: advice for web designers

• Do not launch or transfer the domain and admin access until the final invoice is paid.
• Add a clause that the final payment is due a set number of days after the site is ready to launch — whether or not the client has supplied all their content.
• Your clients are businesses, so statutory interest and fixed compensation are available on every late invoice.

A chasing timeline that works

1. 3 days before due: a friendly heads-up.
2. 1 day overdue: a polite reminder.
3. 7–14 days overdue: a firm reminder and a phone call.
4. 30 days overdue: a final notice with a deadline.
5. Still unpaid: a letter before action, then a small claim if needed.

Your legal options

Your clients are businesses, so the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 applies to every late invoice: you can add statutory interest (8% + base rate) and £40–£100 fixed compensation per invoice, even if your contract doesn't mention it. Calculate what you can claim.