Building
​Contracts
​with Qwilr


Note: Some of the features shown
​here are only available on our
​Business and Enterprise plans.

Sometimes, you just need a straightforward document to outline an agreement and gather a signature.


​Qwilr is great for building and sharing contracts on the web. In this guide, we’ll look at how to create a contract, get it signed, and deliver a file copy to your client.

(If this is your first Qwilr Page, we also have a Getting Started Guide.)

Step 1: What about legality?


Are electronically-signed contracts legally binding?

When you build a contract in Qwilr, you'll always want to review it with your own legal advisor.
​

If you use our e-signature feature to collect signatures, here's what you need to know:

Our e-sign functionality complies with the requirements of Australian law, which align with the basic requirements provided for by the ESIGN Act and UETA in the USA and are recognized in many countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, and more.

We recommend seeking legal advice on the effectiveness of e-signatures in your own country, however. Although e-signed documents are recognized as legally binding in many countries, what actually makes the document “legally binding” is in the text your client agrees to, the type of agreement, and the context of the agreement. 

So an e-signature can support a legally binding contract, but it does not, by itself, make the contract legally binding. In some cases, for example, adding the following text around your Accept button might help: "By clicking 'Accept' below and completing the 'Accept' form, I am confirming that I have read and understood the contents of this document/agreement and agree to be bound by them."

Step 2: What’s the structure of your contract?

Before you start building your Qwilr Page, it's a good idea to take stock of what needs to be included in your contract.
​

  • How many sections does it contain?
  • What order should they be in?
  • How do you want the signer to move through the contract?

    • These details will help you decide on a layout.

    You can take 2 basic approaches to laying out your contract.


    ​With a multiple-block layout:

  • You can use folded blocks and a navigation menu to help guide a viewer through the document.
  • The Compact PDF version will have fewer pages while Presentation PDF will have more pages.
  • Click the buttons to see a sample!
    ​

    • With a single-block layout:

  • You won't be able to add navigation.
  • Using the Compact PDF layout, the PDF version will have fewer pages.
  • Click the buttons to see a sample!


    • Step 3: Getting it signed

    With Qwilr's e-signature feature, you can:

  • Collect 1 signature or multiple signatures
  • Add yourself as a signer (if you need to countersign)
  • Pre-fill the names of the signers so they display in the contract
  • See at a glance who has signed and who hasn't.

    • Here's how to set up your contract signers:


    If you want to collect any specific details from your clients while they're signing the contract, you can add some custom form fields to the acceptance form.

    Step 4: What about a file copy?

    Once the contract is signed, you and each signer will receive a confirmation email.

    Those emails contain a link to download an "Audit Trail" PDF, which also includes copies and timestamps for each signature.


    Hopefully, by now you're ready to build your first contract.


    Questions?

    Feel free to email us at help@qwilr.com, or click the ? Help button in Qwilr.