7 Common Types of Business Contracts (Legal Templates)...

Business contracts are the foundation of any business. As a business owner, have you ever been confused about the different types of business contracts out there and wondered which one you need for your business?

A contract is something you absolutely must-have in your small businesses, whether you are just starting out or have been in business for a long time.

With so many businesses moving online, it’s more important now than EVER to cross your t’s, dot your i’s, and make sure your business is safe from damaging lawsuits.

You could consult with a lawyer for $350 to $500 per hour … OR, you could save a TON of time and money with these contract template bundles written by a business lawyer after years of experience (the best way to get legal protection).

Watch this video to learn more (subscribe to my YouTube channel)

Most online businesses fail to recognize that, despite operating in an online environment, they are still a “business.”

And, as a business owner, you need business agreements to ensure that you are not only legally protected, but also that you are following certain federal and state laws.

If you have a website, which most online businesses do, then you’ll need 6 types of general business contracts, at the very least for your business transactions.

Let’s look at what those business contracts are, as well as a brief explanation of why they’re required and how they’ll protect your business.

Before we get started, grab your FREE legal guide to find out if you are making these 3 common legal mistakes and how to avoid them!

Table of Contents

7 Different Types of Contracts in Business You Need

Below are the most common types of business contracts you need for your own business:

1) Privacy Policy

A privacy policy informs visitors about how you collect and use their personal information, and they have the legal right to obtain this information. So as a general rule, a privacy policy is legally required.

Think of the privacy policy as a type of business contract between you and your site visitors.

If you don’t have a Privacy Policy on your website AND you collect information from your visitors, you’re breaking the law. You could face serious consequences if someone filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Many business owners have been audited, fined, and sued for failure to have a proper Privacy policy on their website, as shown here. So it’s a good idea to have a privacy policy posted on your website right away.

You must comply with the privacy laws out there including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that you may have heard about! Failure to comply with GDPR results in serious hefty fines, and learn all about them in this blog post.

As an online business, you are most likely operating all over the world. So you need to ensure compliance with all these privacy laws and protect your business from being audited or sued.

Learn more about it in this blog post.

Fortunately for you, my Starter, Premium or VIP legal bundles include a privacy policy template that’s GDPR compliant and you can begin using it right away!

Example of a Privacy Policy

In this video, you’ll see why having a proper privacy policy is so important! Kristen purchased my legal template because one of her customer’s actually asked her how she was protecting their data and privacy.

2) Independent Contractor Agreement or Freelance Contract

The second essential type of business contract every entrepreneur needs is an independent contractor agreement. It’s also known as a Freelance Contract.

Many entrepreneurs overlook the importance of this contract until they run into a costly legal mistake (just like my dad did!)

Watch this video to avoid the $90,000 legal mistake my dad made with his freelancer, and I also share 13 biggest legal mistakes to avoid in your business (please don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel too!)

An independent contractor agreement or freelance contract is a type of agreement that outlines the specific expectations and provisions for a freelance project or assignment. It is a legally binding agreement that can be used when two businesses work together on a project, or when an individual hires a contractor to provide a specific service. This is different than employment contracts.

An independent contractor agreement is important because it protects both the business and the contractor. It ensures that both parties understand the terms of the project and what is expected of each party. It also outlines how payment will be handled, what happens if the project is canceled, and any other important details.

If you’re considering hiring a contractor, it’s important to have an independent contractor agreement in place. This will help protect you and ensure that both parties are clear on the expectations for the project.

Read this blog post to learn the 15 essential things to include in your Freelance contract (as a client or contractor).

I’ve also put together a freelance contract template that already includes everything you need OR save more money and grab my Freelance contract bundle here to protect your business (these are the same business contracts my dad wished he had and we could have avoided a massive lawsuit).

Related Post: How to Write a Freelance Writer Contract

3) Confidentiality Agreement (aka Non-Disclosure Agreement)

When it comes to the types of business contracts that every entrepreneur needs, one of the most easily overlooked is a Confidentiality Agreement (also known as NDA).

A non-disclosure agreement, or NDA, is a written agreement between two or more parties that outlines confidential information that will not be shared with any third-party individuals or businesses.

NDAs are commonly used in business settings, such as when two companies are considering joint ventures, a potential partnership, but can also be utilized in personal relationships, like when sharing trade secrets with a new employee or freelancer you hire.

There are a few key reasons why entrepreneurs should consider using a non-disclosure agreement:

1. To protect sensitive information –

Whether it’s the details of your upcoming product launch or your company’s proprietary formula, protecting your confidential information is essential for safeguarding your business interests. An NDA can help ensure that this information remains confidential.

2. To avoid legal repercussions –

If someone breaches the terms of your NDA, you may be able to take legal action against them. This can help protect your business in the event that confidential information is leaked.

3. To create a level of trust –

When two businesses are considering working together, having an NDA in place can help build trust between the parties involved. This can be especially important when sharing sensitive information.

Learn all about a nondisclosure agreement in this blog post.

If you have no idea how to put together a proper NDA agreement then grab my template here or purchase my VIP legal bundle here that includes this business contract template along with 15 other essential legal documents you’ll need.

4) Partnership Agreement

If you are thinking about going into business with someone else then one of the most common types of contracts you’ll need is a Partnership Agreement.

A partnership agreement is a legal document that outlines the essential terms and specific information about the business arrangement between two or more business partners.

It can be used to clarify the roles and responsibilities of each partner, payment terms, as well as how profits and losses will be shared. Partnership agreements are especially important for entrepreneurs, who often need to protect their investments and business interests.

If you’re considering starting a business with someone else, it’s important to draft a partnership agreement early on instead of relying on verbal agreements. This will help avoid any disagreements or misunderstandings down the road.

What to include in a partnership agreement?

A good partnership agreement should include the following:

1. The name of the partnership

2. The purpose of the partnership

3. The ownership structure of the partnership

4. The management structure of the partnership

5. The financial arrangements of the partnership

6. The termination procedures of the partnership

7. Any other relevant information

A well-drafted partnership agreement like this one can help ensure a smooth and successful business partnership. It’s something that all entrepreneurs should consider before starting a new business.

Read this blog post to learn more about a partnership agreement.

5) Media Release Agreement

If you want to use other people’s photos, videos or audios legally then protect yourself with a media release agreement in place. It’s a type of contract that will protect both you and the person whose content you are using.

A media release agreement is a type of business contract that you should have access to at all times. This legal document will help ensure that you’re using other people’s intellectual property legally and prevent any potential legal troubles.

Without this mutual agreement, you could be sued for copyright infringement.

Learn all about it in this blog post.

Grab this Media Release agreement and simply incorporate it as part of your website terms to get electronic legal consent. It also comes in my VIP legal bundle here.

6) Terms and Conditions (or Sales-related contract)

Terms and conditions are one of the essential types of business contracts every entrepreneur needs because they are a set of rules that govern the relationship between an entrepreneur and their customers. These are a sales agreement that govern the sale of goods.

By having clear terms and conditions, entrepreneurs can protect themselves from legal action, ensure that they are paid for their products or services, and set expectations for how customers should behave.

Terms and conditions are also a great way to build trust with customers by demonstrating that you are a reputable business.

Many entrepreneurs forget about this legally binding contract, thinking that they are not necessary. However, without them, you may be opening yourself up to legal action if something goes wrong.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so make sure you have clear terms and conditions in place before starting your business.

Learn all about them in this blog post.

Plus here’s a Terms and Conditions template that you can instantly use instead of wasting time trying to figure out how to write them yourself.

Other Types of Agreements Business Owners Might Need

Depending on the type of business you have, it’s best practices to have certain legal agreements in place. These usually deal with the terms of business and ownership as stated above, but can also include other types of agreements depending on your field.

Commercial contracts

Commercial contracts are legal agreements that are used to govern business transactions between two or more parties. These types of contracts typically include a wide range of topics, including payment terms, contract duration, and the responsibilities and obligations of each party involved.

In order to enter into a commercial contract, it’s important to understand all the different factors that can affect the terms of the agreement. Some key considerations may include industry regulations, legal requirements, financial considerations, and more.

If you are entering into a commercial contract and need guidance on how to draft or review an agreement, it’s recommended to consult with a legal professional who can help ensure that all your needs are met.

General Employment contract or employee contract (Employment Agreements)

General employment contracts, also known as employee contracts, are legal agreements between employers and employees that govern the terms of employment. These contracts typically include information about salary and benefits, job duties and responsibilities, working hours, termination policies, and more.

In order to be legally enforceable, it is recommended to have an employment contract in place before starting any employment relationship. This will help to protect both employers and employees by clearly outlining the terms of the relationship, as well as establishing guidelines and expectations.

If you are an employer or employee considering entering into a general employment contract, it’s important to have terms of an agreement being reviewed by a business lawyer who can help ensure that all your legal rights and obligations are properly addressed. This will help to ensure a smooth and successful employment relationship for all parties involved.

LLC Operating Agreement

An LLC operating agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions of the ownership and operation of an LLC. This agreement typically includes important information such as membership shares, ownership percentages, voting rights, rules for distributing profits and losses, and more.

In order to be legally valid, it’s recommended to have an operating agreement in place for any LLC. This will help to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the members, as well as protect their rights and interests.

If you are considering forming an LLC (book this service with me) or are looking for help drafting an operating agreement, use this operating agreement template written by a lawyer to ensure that all your needs are met.

With the right guidance, you can be sure to have a strong and successful operating agreement that will help support your business for years to come.

Learn more about LLC’s, registered agents, and when to form one for your business here.

Franchise agreement

A franchise agreement is a legal contract between the owner of a business, called the franchisor, and an individual or company that wants to operate under the franchisor’s brand and trademark.

This agreement typically includes information about the rights and responsibilities of both parties, as well as operational guidelines for running the franchise location.

Related Blog Post: What Can I Trademark?

Sales contracts

Sales contracts, also known as purchase agreements or sales agreements, are legal documents that outline the terms of a specific sale transaction. These contracts typically include information about the products being sold, payment and delivery terms, warranty policies and protections, and more.

For example, if you are selling digital products online then you will need this Terms and Conditions template as your sales contract with the customers who buy your products.

Benefits of Business Contracts

There are many benefits to business contracts such as minimizing risk, clarifying expectations, and protecting your interests. By clearly defining the terms of your agreement in a contract, you can help reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings or disputes down the road.

A well-written contract can also serve as a valuable reference point if disagreements do arise.

Another important business contract you need with your affiliates is called an Affiliate Agreement. Learn more about it in this video:

Final Thoughts on the Types of Business Contracts Every Entrepreneur Needs

In conclusion, business contracts are important for entrepreneurs because they help to protect the interests of both the entrepreneur and the business.

Contracts can help to clarify the expectations and responsibilities of each party, and can also help to resolve disputes if they arise.

As mentioned above, you’ll need different types of business contracts depending on what you are doing and who you are going to work with.

Additionally, business contracts can be used as a tool to help attract potential investors or partners to a business. By having a well-drafted contract in place, entrepreneurs can rest assured that their business is protected and have peace of mind knowing that any potential disputes will be resolved in a fair and timely manner.

Get instant access to valid contracts we discussed above in my VIP legal bundle (plus you’ll receive 16 incredible bonuses with it!) for your legal needs.

Also, here’s a helpful video on how to make your website legal and other legal obligations you need to know about as an entrepreneur.

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7 Common Types of Business Contracts (Legal Templates)

7 Different Types of Contracts in Business You Need