Late payments are one of the biggest challenges facing UAE SMEs today. According to recent studies, the average payment delay in the UAE is 67 days – that's more than two months after invoice due date!
If you're tired of chasing invoices and watching your cash flow suffer, this guide is for you.
1. Send Invoices Immediately
The Problem: Many businesses wait days or even weeks to send invoices after completing work.
The Solution: Invoice immediately upon completion of service or delivery of goods. The faster you invoice, the faster you get paid.
Pro Tip: Use automated invoicing systems that generate and send invoices automatically when work is marked as complete.
2. Set Clear Payment Terms Upfront
The Problem: Vague payment terms lead to confusion and delayed payments.
The Solution: Clearly state payment terms before starting work:
- Payment due date (e.g., "Net 15" or "Net 30")
- Accepted payment methods
- Late payment penalties
- Early payment discounts (if applicable)
Example: "Payment due within 15 days of invoice date. 2% discount for payment within 7 days. 1.5% monthly interest on overdue amounts."
3. Implement Automated Payment Reminders
The Problem: Manual follow-ups are time-consuming and easy to forget.
The Solution: Set up automated reminder sequences:
- Day 0: Invoice sent
- Day 7: Friendly reminder (for Net 30 terms)
- Day 14: Second reminder
- Day 30: Payment due notification
- Day 37: Overdue follow-up
- Day 45: Escalation to dedicated credit controller
steady.ae Insight: Our clients see a 45% reduction in payment delays simply by implementing consistent automated reminders.
4. Make it Easy to Pay
The Problem: Complex payment processes lead to delays.
The Solution: Offer multiple convenient payment methods:
- Bank transfer with clear details
- Online payment links (credit/debit cards)
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Payment plans for larger invoices
Bonus: Include a "Pay Now" button directly in your invoice emails.
5. Build Strong Customer Relationships
The Problem: Transactional relationships lead to payment being deprioritized.
The Solution: Maintain regular communication with customers:
- Check in periodically (not just about payments)
- Address issues promptly
- Show appreciation for timely payments
- Be flexible when genuine difficulties arise
Cultural Note: In UAE business culture, relationship-building is crucial. A respected business partner is more likely to prioritize your payments.
The steady.ae Approach
At steady.ae, we combine all these strategies with expert human oversight:
- Automated Smart Reminders – Sent at optimal times with professional, culturally-appropriate messaging
- Bilingual Communication – English and Arabic follow-ups tailored to each customer
- Expert Escalation – When automation isn't enough, our bilingual credit controllers step in with personalized, relationship-preserving follow-up
- Real-time Visibility – Track every invoice status in our dashboard
Results You Can Expect
Our clients typically see:
- 45% reduction in average payment delays
- 94% collection success rate
- 15+ hours saved per week on payment follow-up
- Improved customer relationships (not damaged by aggressive collection tactics)
Ready to Get Paid Faster?
If you're spending more than 5 hours per week chasing payments, it's time to automate. steady.ae handles the entire process for a flat monthly fee – no commissions, no percentage cuts.
Start your 14-day free trial and see how much time (and money) you can save.
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Have questions about payment collection in the UAE? Contact our team – we respond within 2 hours during business hours.