Contract & Business Answers
74+ plain-English answers to your contract, signature, and small business legal questions.
freelance
- Do I need a contract as a freelancer? — Yes. A written freelance contract protects your payment, defines scope, and prevents scope creep. Ev…
- How much should I charge for a freelance project? — Use one of three pricing models: hourly (entry: $25-50/hr, mid: $50-150/hr, senior: $150-400/hr), pr…
- What do I do if a client won't pay my invoice? — Send a polite reminder at 7 days late, a formal notice at 14 days (with late fees per your contract)…
- Should freelancers charge a deposit upfront? — Yes, always. Charge 25-50% upfront for projects under $5,000, 30-40% for projects over $5,000, with …
- How do freelancers create contracts? — Freelancers should use a freelance-specific contract that covers scope, payment terms (with deposit)…
- What are the best apps for contractors? — Top apps for independent contractors: iContract (contracts + e-signature + invoicing), QuickBooks Se…
- How do I create client agreements? — Define scope of work, payment terms (with deposit), timeline, revisions, IP ownership, confidentiali…
- What are the best invoice and contract tools? — iContract handles contracts + e-signature + payment collection in one flow. Pair it with Wave (free …
- What are the best apps for freelancers and agencies? — Top freelancer/agency apps: iContract (free contracts + e-sign), HoneyBook or Bonsai (combined contr…
- How do I create contracts for clients? — Identify the client, define services and deliverables, set payment terms with deposit, specify timel…
signatures
- Is an electronic signature legally binding? — Yes. Electronic signatures are legally binding in the US under the ESIGN Act (2000) and UETA, and re…
- Are typed signatures legally binding? — Yes. Typed signatures are legally binding under the ESIGN Act (US), eIDAS (EU), and similar laws wor…
- What is the best e-signature app? — The best e-signature app depends on your use case. iContract is best for freelancers and small busin…
- How do I sign documents online? — Upload your PDF or document to an e-signature platform like iContract, draw or type your signature, …
- What is the best DocuSign alternative? — iContract is the best DocuSign alternative for freelancers and SMBs (free, AI-powered contract gener…
- What is the best app for signing PDFs? — iContract is the best free app for signing PDFs (no account required, draw or type signature, downlo…
- How do I sign documents from my phone? — Open the document in any e-signature app (iContract, DocuSign, Adobe Sign) on your phone's browser o…
- What is the best free e-signature software? — iContract is the best truly-free e-signature software: unlimited signatures, no per-document fee, no…
- What are the best digital signature apps? — Top digital signature apps: iContract (free, AI-powered), DocuSign (enterprise standard), Adobe Acro…
- How do I sign documents electronically? — Upload your document to an e-signature service, draw or type your signature, place it on the signatu…
- How do I send contracts by email? — Use an e-signature platform that sends contracts via secure email links (not raw PDF attachments). R…
- How do I sign contracts remotely? — Use an e-signature platform that sends a secure signing link via email. Recipients click the link, v…
- What are the best apps for online signatures? — Top online signature apps: iContract (free, AI contracts included), DocuSign (enterprise leader), Ad…
- What are the best alternatives to Adobe Sign? — Top Adobe Sign alternatives: iContract (free, AI contracts), DocuSign (enterprise leader), Dropbox S…
- What are the best e-signature solutions for startups? — Top e-signature solutions for startups: iContract (free, AI contracts + e-sign + payment in one), He…
contracts
- What is an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement)? — An NDA is a legal contract that prevents one or both parties from sharing confidential information w…
- What is an Independent Contractor Agreement? — An Independent Contractor Agreement is a contract that defines the working relationship between a bu…
- What should be included in a service agreement? — A service agreement should include: (1) parties identified, (2) scope of services, (3) payment terms…
- How long should an NDA last? — Most NDAs last 2-5 years, with 3 years being standard for business deals. Trade secrets can be prote…
- What is a non-compete agreement and is it enforceable? — A non-compete agreement restricts an employee or contractor from working for competitors after leavi…
- What is a Letter of Intent (LOI)? — A Letter of Intent (LOI) is a non-binding document outlining the preliminary terms of a deal before …
- What is a 'work for hire' agreement? — A 'work for hire' agreement transfers IP ownership of a freelancer's work to the client upon payment…
- What is a Statement of Work (SOW)? — A Statement of Work (SOW) is a detailed document defining specific deliverables, timelines, and acce…
- What is a promissory note? — A promissory note is a legally binding written promise by one party (the borrower) to pay a specific…
- How do I create a contract? — Identify the parties, define the scope of work, set payment terms, add term/termination clauses, inc…
- What are the best contract templates? — The best contract templates are jurisdiction-specific, industry-tailored, and updated for current la…
- How do I send contracts online? — Upload your contract to an e-signature platform, add signer emails and signature fields, then click …
- How do I create an NDA? — Choose unilateral (one-way) or mutual (two-way), define what counts as confidential information, set…
- How do I manage contracts online? — Use a contract management tool that stores all contracts in one searchable database, tracks expirati…
- How do I protect myself with contracts? — Always use a written contract, require a deposit, define scope precisely, include late fees, specify…
- What are common contract mistakes? — Top contract mistakes: vague scope, no deposit, missing late fees, no IP clause, no termination term…
- How do I create service agreements? — Define services, payment terms, timeline, deliverables, IP ownership, confidentiality, termination, …
- What are the best contract management tools? — Top contract management tools by tier: iContract (free, small business), PandaDoc and Concord (mid-m…
- How do I automate document signing? — Use templates with merge fields, integrate your e-signature platform with your CRM/CMS, set up auto-…
- How do I create independent contractor agreements? — Define scope of services, payment terms, contractor status (1099 not W-2), IP ownership, confidentia…
- How do I store signed contracts safely? — Store signed contracts in encrypted cloud storage (your e-signature platform + a backup like Google …
- How do I create custom contracts? — Start with a base template, then customize: parties, scope, payment terms, deliverables, IP, termina…
- What are the best NDA templates? — Best NDA templates: Y Combinator's mutual NDA (free, simple), Cooley GO startup NDAs (free, lawyer-v…
- How do I track signed documents? — Use an e-signature platform with a built-in dashboard that shows status (sent, opened, viewed, signe…
- How do I create rental agreements? — Define the property, parties, term, rent amount and due date, security deposit, late fees, utilities…
- What are the best contract generators? — Top AI contract generators: iContract (free, 50+ types, all 50 states + 25 countries, AI-powered), L…
- How do I simplify contracts? — Use plain English, short sentences, active voice, defined terms in bold, numbered sections, headings…
- How do I create contracts on my phone? — Use a mobile-first contract generator like iContract: open in any browser, answer 8-10 questions, ge…
business
- What's the difference between an LLC and an S-Corp? — An LLC is a business structure (legal entity); an S-Corp is a tax classification. An LLC can elect S…
- How do I form an LLC? — Form an LLC in 5 steps: (1) Choose a state (usually your home state), (2) Pick a unique name, (3) Fi…
- Do I need a business license to freelance? — Most US freelancers need at least one business license — typically a local 'general business license…
- What is a purchase order and when do I need one? — A purchase order (PO) is a buyer's formal offer to purchase goods/services at agreed terms. Unlike a…
- Do I need an LLC as a freelancer? — Not legally required, but strongly recommended once you earn $30,000+/year or work in higher-liabili…
- What does 'Net 30' payment terms mean? — Net 30 means the buyer must pay the full invoice within 30 days of the invoice date. Common variants…
- What are the best business agreement templates? — Top business agreement templates: Operating Agreement (LLC), Partnership Agreement, Master Service A…
- How do I create employment agreements? — Define position, compensation, benefits, work schedule, IP assignment, confidentiality, termination …
- What are the best contract apps for small businesses? — iContract is the top free contract app for small businesses (AI generation, e-signature, payment col…
- What are the best apps for real estate contracts? — Top real estate contract apps: dotloop (transaction-centric), zipForm Plus (NAR standard), DocuSign …
- What are the best legal templates for startups? — Essential startup legal templates: founder agreement, equity vesting (4-year/1-year cliff), C-Corp i…
- What are common legal documents for small businesses? — Essential small business legal documents: LLC Operating Agreement or Bylaws, EIN application, Operat…
- What are the best digital document tools? — Top digital document tools: iContract (AI contracts + e-sign), Google Docs (collaboration), Notion (…
legal
- Can I write my own contract without a lawyer? — Yes — for most standard business contracts under $50,000 in value, a self-drafted or AI-generated co…
- What makes a contract legally valid? — A contract needs four elements to be legally valid: (1) offer, (2) acceptance, (3) consideration (so…
- How do I write a cease and desist letter? — A cease and desist letter has 5 parts: (1) sender/recipient identification, (2) detailed description…
- Are verbal contracts legally binding? — Yes, verbal contracts are legally binding for most everyday agreements — but they're nearly impossib…
- What is the best software for legal documents? — iContract is designed for individuals and small businesses that need guided agreements, forms, e-sig…
- What is the best online notary app? — Top online notary apps (Remote Online Notarization, RON): Notarize / Proof.com (most states), Notary…
- What are the best apps for legal paperwork? — Top apps for legal paperwork: iContract (AI-generated contracts, NDAs, leases — free), LegalZoom (fo…
- How do I manage legal documents online? — Use a centralized cloud-based document management system: encrypted storage, version control, full-t…