A legal contract is an agreement binding you to perform the services your client has paid for. In most cases the terms and conditions of the contract has to be put in writing as it will be difficult to recall them one by one. A written contract makes clients more particular about the policies and term; at the same time, it can be used in court in conditions that warrant it. Misunderstandings and similar situations, too, can be prevented when everything is laid out in black ink.

Unfortunately, many businessmen are scared of using a contract, thinking that it's too serious that may turn off potential clients. Find out what your clients think of this; who knows, some of them may actually favour this for their own protection, too. If they find it too intimidating, try a different approach, such as one in the form of a letter agreement.

On the other hand, a written contract is something you cannot really get away from when you are in business. There are standard contract forms that you can find online, but of course it's going to be more than just a "copy-paste" kind of thing. The contract must look professional in every way, free from typo errors and inappropriate clauses, which can cause a lot of confusion. It is always wise, then, to employ the services of a business lawyer to go through with the contract and make sure that you are well protected.