15 Questions to Ask Any ASP Before You Sign (Printable Checklist)

Copy the full list and send it to every shortlisted provider, and ask for answers in writing (email, not a phone call) — so you can compare later and refer back when needed.

Pricing (questions 1-3)

What are the one-time setup fees, and the recurring fee (monthly/annual)?
Why it matters: the baseline for any budget comparison.
What exactly is the second-year renewal price?
Why it matters: the most common trap is a low introductory price that jumps at renewal.
Is there a per-invoice fee, and is there a cap on the plan?
Why it matters: your peak-activity volume may exceed the plan at a much higher rate.

Technology & integration (questions 4-6)

Do you have a ready, actually-tested integration with my specific accounting system?
Why it matters: "we can build it" is not "we have it ready" — weeks and extra cost apart.
Do you support receiving inbound invoices, and how do I view them?
Why it matters: many focus on sending and forget you'll also receive invoices from suppliers.
Is there a sandbox environment to test before going live?
Why it matters: you catch integration issues before they hit production.

Accreditation & compliance (questions 7-9)

Is your Ministry of Finance accreditation final, or still under review/testing?
Why it matters: full details in Final vs provisional accreditation.
What's your first-time invoice acceptance rate among current clients?
Why it matters: a real indicator of technical execution quality, not just a marketing promise.
Are future regulatory updates included in the price, or billed separately?
Why it matters: rules will keep changing through 2026-2027; ongoing updates are a core part of the service.

Security & data (questions 10-12)

Where is my data stored geographically, and what security certifications do you hold (e.g. ISO 27001)?
Why it matters: your invoices reveal customers and pricing — commercially sensitive data.
Do you have a written SLA for downtime and response time?
Why it matters: a verbal support promise is not a written commitment with numbers.
Is my data used or shared for any marketing or analytics purpose on your end?
Why it matters: a simple privacy question most serious contracts already answer in writing.

The long-term relationship (questions 13-15)

What's the contract lock-in period? Can I switch providers with no exit fees?
Why it matters: your first contract isn't forever — a clean exit clause protects you later.
How do you handle peak activity (month-end/year-end) in terms of performance?
Why it matters: a system fine under light load may struggle under real pressure.
Do you have clients in my sector and size? Can I get two references to contact directly?
Why it matters: a real customer's experience under your exact conditions beats any marketing pitch.

Practical tip Tell every provider outright that you're comparing 2-3 offers. Simply knowing there's competition is often enough to improve the offer — especially at a stage where providers are racing to build a client base ahead of the 2027 wave.

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15 questions to ask any provider before you sign