Sales contract guide for small businesses [free template for 2024]

Sales contracts are a necessary part of any business. They protect the buyer and the seller and can help both parties avoid misunderstandings and legal issues down the road. But many people either don't know how to create a sales contract or feel intimidated by the process.

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Our sales contract guide is designed to change that. Here, you'll find a simple explanation of what a sales contract is, plus a free template you can use for your business.

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What is a sales contract?

A sales contract is a legally binding agreement between two parties (the buyer and the seller) that outlines the terms of a sale. The contract should include information like the price of the product or service being sold, the delivery date, and any warranties or guarantees.

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Why do you need a sales contract?

A sales contract protects the buyer and the seller. In addition, it helps both parties avoid misunderstandings and legal issues down the road. For example, the contract can be used as evidence in court if there's a dispute.

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A sales contract should include the following information:

• The names and contact information of the buyer and the seller
• A description of the product or service being sold
• The price of the product or service
• The delivery date
• Any warranties or guarantees

Remember that every sales contract is different, and you may need to include additional information.

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Types of sales contracts

There are many different types of sales contracts, each designed for a specific purpose. However, here are some of the most common types of sales contracts.

General sales contracts

A general sales contract is the most basic type. You can use this type of contract for any sale, from software to delivered services.

Conditional sales contracts

A conditional sales contract is used when the product being sold must meet certain conditions from the buyer before the sale is final.

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For example, businesses might use a conditional sales contract to sell software that the seller retains ownership of until the buyer has made all payments.

International sales contracts

An international sales contract is used when the buyer and seller are located in different countries. This type of contract is often used for business-to-business sales.

Addendums

An addendum is a document added to a contract to make changes or additions. For example, if the product's price changes, you would create an addendum to reflect the new price.

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Sales contract template and example

You can use this template for any type of sale. Just fill in the information below and have both parties sign the contract. You can also download this sales contract template as a PDF:

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To complete the contract, the seller and the buyer will need to fill in the following information:

• The name of the product or service being sold
• The date of delivery
• The price of the product
• The term of the contract
• Their signatures

Once the contract is complete, both parties should keep a copy for their records.

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Here is an example of a completed contract:

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Ramp can help with contract negotiations and more

If you're looking to streamline your contract negotiations, Ramp can help. With industry knowledge in vendor management, we can provide specialized services to make your life easier. Let us take care of the details so you can focus on what's important: running your business.

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Additionally, we can provide guidance on what to look for in a contract, identify key terms and clauses, and help negotiate favorable terms for your business.

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Thousands of businesses trust Ramp to help them with contract negotiations and more. So when you want to automate the tedious and time-consuming tasks for your business, Ramp is the answer.

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Check out our interactive demo today.

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