How to Start Your Legal Template Business Using Fillout: A Step-by-Step Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Looking to start your own legal template business similar to LegalZoom? With Fillout, you can create a streamlined system for selling legal documents online, complete with automated PDF generation and payment processing. This guide breaks down how to set up your own legal document sales platform without any coding required.
What You'll Need
- A Fillout account
- Legal document templates (in PDF format)
- A Stripe account for payment processing
- Basic understanding of form creation
Setting Up Your Document System
1. Prepare Your Template
Start with your legal document template in a format like Google Docs. While the formatting doesn't need to be perfect, ensure all necessary fields are clearly marked. Export this document as a PDF to use with Fill Out.
2. Create Your Form
- Log into Fill Out (fillout.com)
- Click "Make a Fillout"
- Start with a blank form
- Choose your preferred theme
3. Add Form Fields
Fill Out offers two approaches for adding fields:
- Manual: Add fields one by one using the left sidebar
- AI-Assisted: Copy-paste your document text, and let Fill Out's AI suggest appropriate fields
Key form elements to include:
- Basic information fields (names, dates, addresses)
- Conditional fields (e.g., furniture list that only appears if "furnished" is selected)
- Email field for sending documents
- Custom date formatting options as needed
4. PDF Integration
- Navigate to the "Integrate" tab
- Select "Generate PDF by Fill Out"
- Upload your template PDF
- Map form fields to PDF fields
- Configure email notifications for both you and your clients
5. Set Up Payment Processing
- Add a payment page to your form
- Configure one-time payment options
- Set your price
- Connect your Stripe account
- Add any branding elements
6. Final Configuration
- Add a PDF download option to the confirmation page
- Configure email notifications
- Test the entire process using the preview feature
- Publish your form and get a shareable link
Making It Professional
To create a successful legal template business:
- Organize multiple templates into a searchable catalog
- Create a professional landing page
- Consider adding your branding throughout the process
- Set up automated email follow-ups
- Ensure clear pricing and terms
Use Cases Beyond Legal Documents
This system isn't limited to legal templates. It can be adapted for:
- Accounting firms
- Financial services
- Real estate documents
- Consulting agreements
- Any business requiring standardized document generation
Final Thoughts
Creating a legal template business with Fillout provides a professional, automated system for selling and delivering legal documents. The platform handles all the technical aspects - from form creation to payment processing and PDF generation - allowing you to focus on growing your template library and marketing your services.
Remember to always ensure your templates are legally sound and consider having them reviewed by legal professionals before selling them to clients. With the right preparation and attention to detail, you can create a profitable automated business selling legal templates online.
