Payment Guide
How to Chase Late Payments Automatically — UK Small Business Guide
Late payments hurt cashflow. This guide shows exactly why clients delay payments, how to chase them effectively, and how Simply Link automates reminders so you get paid faster with zero stress.
If you're tired of chasing clients for late payments, you're not alone. More than 48% of UK small businesses say late payments cause cashflow issues, stress, and lost time. But most late payments aren't malicious — they're caused by forgetfulness, disorganisation, or awkwardness about paying late.
Instead of chasing manually, you can now automate the whole process. This guide shows:
- Why clients pay late (and how to stop it)
- How to chase payments politely without feeling awkward
- How automated reminders work (with examples)
- How Simply Link sends reminders at the perfect time
Why Do Clients Pay Late?
90% of late payments come down to one simple reason: people forget.
Not because they don't want to pay you — but because life gets busy. Here are the most common reasons:
- They saw your message at work and forgot to come back to it
- They meant to pay "later tonight" and didn't
- They're waiting for payday
- They lost the link or can't find your original message
- They feel awkward about paying late and avoid the conversation
The good news: all of these can be solved with gentle, automated reminders.
The Problem With Chasing Payments Manually
When you chase payments yourself, you deal with three big problems:
- It feels awkward — nobody enjoys asking for money
- It wastes time you could spend working or relaxing
- It's easy to forget who has or hasn't paid
"If I remind them too soon, I look pushy. If I wait too long, I might never get paid."
This is why automated reminders feel natural — not confrontational.
How Automatic Payment Reminders Work
Automated reminders send a friendly nudge to your client at the right time — without you typing a single message.
A standard reminder schedule looks like this:
Day 0: Payment Link Sent
"Here's your payment link" (sent instantly)
Day 3: Gentle Reminder
Polite reminder (most people pay here)
Day 7: Follow-Up Reminder
Stronger reminder ("Just checking you saw this")
Day 14: Final Reminder
Final reminder ("Let us know if you need help")
Most clients pay by Day 3 or Day 7 when reminded politely.
How Simply Link Automates Payment Chasing
Simply Link is designed for UK freelancers, tradespeople, and mobile businesses who want to stop chasing payments manually. It sends reminders automatically — and you don't have to lift a finger.
- Automatic reminders on Day 0, 3, 7, 14
- Polite messages written for high response
- Clients can pay in one tap with Apple/Google Pay
- You get instant notifications when paid
- No awkward conversations — the system handles it
You stay professional, your client pays faster, and your cashflow becomes predictable.
Need to create a payment link first? Learn how to create payment links in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do automated reminders annoy clients?
No. When phrased politely, reminders are seen as helpful, not pushy. Most people appreciate the nudge.
Can I turn off certain reminders?
Yes — Simply Link allows you to customise your reminder schedule.
What if the client still doesn't pay?
Most clients pay after the Day 3 or Day 7 reminder. If not, you'll see their full tracking history so you know when they opened the link.
Can I send payment reminders by WhatsApp or SMS?
Yes — Simply Link reminders work across all messaging channels.
Is this suitable for trades, cleaners, PTs, and freelancers?
Absolutely — Simply Link is built specifically for small UK businesses.
Related Guides
Continue learning with these related guides:
Create a Payment Link in Seconds
Learn how to create payment links manually and with Simply Link.
Read guideHow to Send Deposit & Balance Payment Links
Learn how to take deposits upfront and collect balance payments later.
Read guideHow to Get Paid Faster as a Freelancer
Stop chasing payments and start getting paid in days instead of weeks.
Read guidePayment Reminder Message Templates (UK)
Professional message templates for reminding clients to pay.
Read guideStop Chasing Payments Manually
Simply Link sends polite reminders for you — so you can focus on your work, not chasing money.
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