SalesPalHow to keep track of who owes you money
Selling on credit keeps customers coming back — but only if you actually collect. Forgotten debts are one of the quietest ways a small business bleeds cash. Here's a system that fixes it.
Why a debt book matters
When someone takes goods "on account," that money is still yours — it's just not in your hand yet. If you can't say off the top of your head who owes you, how much, and since when, some of those debts will never be paid. Not because customers are dishonest, but because you both forgot.
A debt book is simply an up-to-date record of every unpaid balance. Kept well, it turns "I think a few people owe me" into "these five customers owe me ₦173,000, and Mrs Okoro's ₦45,000 is three weeks old."
What to record for every credit sale
- Customer name (and phone number, so you can remind them).
- What they took and the total amount.
- The date — so you know how long it's been outstanding.
- Any part-payments, so the balance is always current.
The key rule: one running balance per customer, not a pile of separate slips. If Mrs Okoro owes across three visits, you want to see one number — ₦45,000 — not hunt through three notes.
How to actually get paid
- Remind early and politely. A short, friendly message a few days after the sale works far better than waiting a month.
- Send the balance in writing. A quick WhatsApp with the exact amount ("You have an outstanding balance of ₦45,000") removes any confusion.
- Make paying easy. Include your account number or a payment link in the same message.
- Mark it paid immediately. Update the record the moment money lands, so you never chase someone who already paid.
Do it from your phone
SalesPal keeps this debt book for you automatically. Every unpaid sale becomes part of a customer's balance, the list is sorted biggest-first, and each customer has one-tap buttons to mark them paid, send a statement, or send a WhatsApp reminder with the exact amount. You always know who owes you and how much — without keeping a paper book.
Never lose money to a forgotten debt again
Free to start. See who owes you, biggest first, and remind them on WhatsApp in one tap.
Start your debt book free