When you’re new to business like we are, it can be hard finding the funds to hire a lawyer to write a contract. Just last week we found ourselves having to create a contract for a potential client and had to draw upon our resources quickly. We turned to RocketLawyer.com, having reviewed them in our list of websites for entrepreneurs.
Although Rocket Lawyer provided everything we needed, we eventually closed the tab when we reached the dreaded page requiring us to insert the credit card information. Surely we can find a document online and tweak it right? Well eventually we did.
But we admit there’s room for better. Take for example these 6 free or inexpensive tools that let you write, sign and manage contracts electronically, then store them in the cloud.
Form repositories
1. FindLaw Small Business Forms & Contracts
This resource features a range of forms, contracts, checklists and other resources for creating, managing and dissolving a business. It includes a Business Balance Sheet, Business Deductions Checklist, Debt Collection Documents, Going Public Due Diligence Checklist, Federal Consumer Credit Laws Checklist, Notice and Articles of Dissolution, Operating Budget, Profit and Loss Statement, Settlement and Distribution of Assets Checklist and Software License Agreement Provisions. You can preview the documents before you download them as mobile apps.
Mobile apps
2. Shake
This mobile app allows you to create and sign agreements for a range of purposes. There’s a DJ agreement, several freelance agreements and agreements for confidentiality, renting, buying and loaning money. Shake was named a top app to watch in 2014 byBusiness Insider, and has been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, TechCrunch and VentureBeat.
Contract source web apps
3. Docracy
Docracy is a collection of contracts and other legal documents socially curated by everyday users. The service offers reputable, transparent sources and social proof to ensure quality documents. Docracy provides a place to share your documents and download new ones, as well as sign them electronically.
4. LegalZoom
You can download contracts and other legal forms individually, for $14.95. The extensive library of documents houses affidavits, bills of sale, and agreements relevant to business, entertainment, event-planning, household issues, human resources/employment, intellectual property, internet/technology, landlord/tenant, lending, loans/promissory notes, nondisclosure agreements, retail and service-related topics.
Contract management web apps
Once you already have the contracts you need, these services will help you manage and use your contracts.
From Contractually, you can import existing documents to create your company’s template library. You can then edit the contract within the site and collaborate with others to change the document before each party signs it, using the site’s s e-signature feature. Contractually keeps records of all changes to the document and who made them, and also automatically sends a PDF of the contract once it’s been signed.
6. SignNow
With SignNow, you can collect signatures by email or create a link that you can post anywhere. You can collect signatures on any device, and signatures will look like real ink. Manage the users in your organization with SignNow’s teams feature. You can collect information from forms into CSV format. With SignNow, you can send contracts in bulk, obtaining up to 1,000 signatures at a time. SignNow integrates with SalesForce, Office365 and Google Apps. Want to set up your iPad so that users can complete a single document without access to the rest of your account? Put SignNow in kiosk mode.
-Brownie Communication Concepts