Creating contracts used to mean printing paper, mailing documents back and forth and filing away signed copies. Have you ever waited days for a contract to come back signed?
That workflow is slow and costly: U.S. businesses spend about $8 billion each year managing paper documents, with the average corporation paying $20 to file a single document and $120–$220 to find or replace lost paperwork.
As more companies adopt digital‑first processes, electronic signature usage has exploded and the e‑signature market is projected to grow from $3.2 billion in 2024 to $13.4 billion by 2030.
Moving the contract process online helps organisations save time, reduce errors and close deals faster. This guide explains how to create contracts online, what to look for in a digital contract tool and why modern solutions like digital sales rooms can give your business an edge.
Why create contracts online?
If you’re used to printing, signing and scanning, it might feel strange to move the whole process online. But there’s a reason so many businesses are making the switch: going digital solves the biggest pain points of paper‑based workflows and adds a few surprising perks.
-
Faster turnaround and lower costs – Imagine sending a contract at breakfast and having it signed by lunch. Electronic signatures save an average of $28 per agreement and can shorten the time to revenue by 28 %. Instead of waiting days for a contract to be signed, stakeholders can review and sign documents from any device.
-
Improved accuracy – Templates act like guardrails, reducing errors by standardising language and clauses. Because employees simply fill in missing details, you waste less time on revisions and mitigate legal risk.
-
Better customer experience – Buyers expect a smooth, digital journey. In 2025, most sales interactions occur in digital channels, so offering online contracts meets your customers where they already are.
-
Stronger security and visibility – Modern e‑signature platforms create a secure audit trail and make it easy to see who has viewed or signed a document.
Step‑by‑step: how to create a contract online
Regardless of industry or contract type, most digital contract workflows follow a similar path. Here’s how to get from idea to ink – without the ink.
1. Prepare and plan your contract
Every successful contract starts with a solid plan – think of this step as laying the foundation for a house. Identify the types of agreements you use most often – employment, non‑disclosure, SaaS subscriptions, rental agreements and so on – and map out the information each one requires. Preparing standardised templates up front reduces drafting time and ensures compliance down the line.
2. Choose a template and collect information
Think of this step like following a recipe: choose the right template so you don’t miss any ingredients. Gather the necessary details about the parties, terms and key clauses. Starting from legally‑vetted templates and using smart fields to auto‑populate names, dates and payment terms keeps you consistent and speeds things along. Some workflows even include a simple form to capture standard information such as notice periods or penalties for non‑compliance. This prep work makes the drafting phase a breeze.
3. Draft and customise the contract
Populate the template with the collected data. Automation tools can replace placeholders with names, dates, pricing and other variables and generate a clean document in seconds. This is where your contract starts to take shape. Customise clauses, attach addenda or include optional sections such as confidentiality agreements or termination clauses. Many contract tools provide a built‑in editor that lets you edit terms in your browser without exporting to Word or PDF. Think of this stage as tailoring a suit: you start from a pattern and adjust it to fit just right.
4. Review, collaborate and assess risk
Before sending for signature, gather everyone around a virtual table. Share the draft with colleagues and legal experts to ensure it’s complete and compliant. If the contract value is high, your system may automatically assign a risk assessment task. Collaboration features – commenting, version control and redlining – help teams negotiate terms without getting lost in email threads. It’s like hosting a roundtable discussion where everyone can speak their mind and see the latest version in real time.
5. Send for e‑signature and track status
When you’re ready, hit send and let technology handle the rest. Modern providers let you schedule delivery, set signing orders and allow clients to e‑sign from any device – no account required. You can manage access permissions and even add a passcode if needed. Built‑in notifications let you know when a document is opened, viewed and signed, and automated reminders keep deals from stalling. Watching a contract move from your outbox to “signed” in real time feels like magic.
6. Store, organise and renew
Once everyone has signed, don’t let your contract disappear into a black hole. Store it in a centralised repository with version history and search capabilities. Look for tools that offer organised folders, tagging and renewal reminders, as well as secure e‑signatures. Having a digital filing cabinet means you can find and audit documents in seconds and never miss a renewal date again.
What to look for in online contract tools
With hundreds of solutions on the market, the right tool should feel like an extra member of your team – saving you time and helping you close deals faster. Keep an eye out for these key features:
-
Template library and customisation – Pre‑approved templates help non‑lawyers create compliant contracts quickly. The best tools offer clause libraries, conditional sections and drag‑and‑drop editing so you can assemble agreements without a law degree.
-
Collaboration and negotiation – Real‑time commenting, redlining and version control make it easy to negotiate terms without duplicating files. Some platforms, such as GetAccept’s Contract Room, let sellers invite buyers into an interactive workspace to edit contracts and chat in real time. It’s like having your own virtual war room.
-
Analytics and engagement tracking – Knowing when recipients open, view and comment on a document helps sellers follow up at the right moment. Advanced contract platforms provide deep analytics and automatic reminders to keep deals moving – no more guessing when to call.
-
Secure e‑signature and compliance – Make sure your provider complies with regulations such as eIDAS, ESIGN and UETA. Look for tamper‑evident audit trails and optional multi‑factor authentication so you can rest easy.
-
Integration and scalability – The more your contract software can talk to your CRM, CPQ or document storage system, the less data entry you’ll need to do. Many platforms integrate with Salesforce, HubSpot and other CRMs.
How digital sales rooms and proposal software support contract creation
A digital sales room (DSR) is like a virtual showroom where buyers and sellers meet in one space. It’s a secure, shared environment where you can host proposals, case studies, demo videos and contracts – everything a buyer needs to make a decision. As buyers increasingly expect self‑service experiences, DSRs streamline the purchasing process and give sellers real‑time insights into buyer behaviour.
Digital sales rooms complement your contract workflow by:
-
Centralising content – Instead of sending multiple email attachments, house proposals, demo videos and contracts in one branded microsite. Clients always know where to find the latest version.
-
Enhancing the buyer experience – Buyers can review materials at their own pace, invite stakeholders and redline proposals in real time. It’s like giving them the keys to their own private meeting room.
-
Accelerating negotiation and closing – Sellers can edit proposals after sending and set signing orders for multiple approvers. Buyers sign from anywhere – often on the same page where they reviewed the offer – so deals wrap up faster.
-
Providing deal analytics – Engagement metrics reveal when to follow up, and automated reminders prevent deals from getting stuck. No more chasing down “just checking in” emails.
Proposal software
adds further value by automating pricing, product configurations and approvals. Tools such as CPQ (Configure‑Price‑Quote) help build accurate quotes and merge them seamlessly into contracts. When integrated with a DSR and contract management platform, proposals flow smoothly into signed agreements.
Final thoughts
Creating contracts online is no longer a trend; it’s the new standard. As sales interactions move to digital channels and businesses adopt digital‑first strategies, organisations that still rely on manual documents risk losing customers and revenue.
'By adopting standardised templates, collaborative drafting tools, secure e‑signatures and centralised repositories, you can streamline your contract lifecycle and provide a better experience for everyone involved. Digital sales rooms and proposal software take this a step further by unifying the entire buyer journey – from first meeting to signed contract – in a single, interactive workspace.
In other words, it’s time to retire your paper clip – there’s a better way to build and sign agreements. Whether you’re a growing start‑up or an established enterprise, modernising your contracts helps you close deals faster and leaves a better impression on everyone who signs your documents.
