In HoneyBook, projects are the folders that house all of the communication, files, and details related to a specific job. In order to share a file, you need to first have a project and add one or more participants (your clients).

Smart files are your client-facing documents. They allow you to create everything from simple, one-page invoices, contracts, and questionnaires all the way through to, for example, multi-step booking documents that let clients select a service, sign a contract, schedule a call, and make a payment in one fell swoop.

Templates are the pre-created, ready-to-use versions of your smart files. Whenever you need to send a file to a client, you can get started from a template, make any changes, and send it off.

Blocks are, well, the building blocks of smart files. You can mix and match any combination of blocks (invoices, contracts, text, and more) in your smart files, to create highly-customized, pathed experiences for your clients. We’ll be talking a lot about invoice blocks as we walk through the steps to get started with invoices.

Your services are the services/goods you sell. You’ll add services to your invoice along with descriptions, costs, and more.

These are the two types of invoices you can create and share. A standard invoice requires that you outline a set payment schedule, with set amounts. Clients will then be prompted to pay those amounts, on the preset dates. We’ll cover the setup steps for a standard invoice below.

A recurring invoice allows you to automatically bill your clients at the schedule of your choice–perfect for hands-off, recurring charges like subscription fees. Learn more recurring invoices here.

Autopay is a payment setting for your invoices. If turned on, clients will be required to opt-in to autopay–meaning, payments will automatically process from their payment method on file on the set due dates. To take any manual payment reminders out of the equation, we generally recommend turning autopay on.

Gratuity is a payment setting for your invoices. If turned on, clients will be able to add a tip to their payment. We recommend keeping this on as a best practice, unless you’re in an industry that typically doesn’t allow for tips.

Credit card payments are one of your clients’ payment options. Credit card payments take about 2-3 business days to reach your account, and they incur a transaction fee of 2.9% of payment + 25 cents (Cardholder Entered payment) or 3.4% of payment + 9 cents (Card on File payment).

ACH bank transfer payments are one of your clients’ payment options for U.S. accounts. Bank transfer payments take about 7-8 business days to reach your account, since the funds need to clear your client’s bank first. All ACH bank transfer payments incur a 1.5% flat transaction fee.