If You’re Still Using Word Docs and DocuSign to Close Software Deals, You’re Losing

At Salesbricks, we’ve been tracking how 30,000 B2B SaaS transactions happen on our platform this year alone. The data is clear- more and more revenue flows through a click-to-purchase checkout as opposed to legacy contracting via word docs and DocuSign.

‍

Data Behind the Shift

Out of 30,201 transactions processed on the Salesbricks platform this year, only 15% still rely on traditional offline transactions where a buyer and seller sign a contract. For the new generation of SaaS and AI startups, that model is quickly being left behind. Salesbricks offers 3 methods of deal execution which includes credit card checkout, ACH (Automated Clearing House) checkout, and an order form contract signing flow.

‍

Shift in behavior: Buyers want checkouts, not contracts

What does this mean? Buyers are already conditioned to EXPECT checkout experiences in B2B — just like how they buy B2C products and services online. New-generation tech companies that adapt to how modern buyers prefer to purchase through checkout are closing deals faster, removing friction, and transforming what was once the most painful part of B2B sales into a seamless buying experience. Those who cling to Word documents and DocuSign are unknowlingly delaying revenue and increasing buyer friction.

‍

‍

‍

‍

How It Started

The shift began when tech founders started sending Stripe payment links that included basic information like product names and quantities, instead long document style contracts. As these companies scaled and achieved product market fit ( PMF), they often graduate to manually creating contracts using word documents and create homegrown subscription tracking on excel spreadsheets. Businesses then tact on disparate billing systems, and hired offshore contractors to help stitch and run the process manually creating rigid and complex processes that create friction in their  go-to-market processes. This adds to complexity to the buyer experience. There was no middle ground, even as software buyers were already gravitating toward the ease of a checkout experience.

‍

Why Founders are Paying to Get Paid

"Your number one responsibility as a founder is to not run out of cash."
- Jeff Erickson, head of strategic partnerships at Forecastr

‍

Based on transactions processed on Salesbricks, when a transaction is executed with a traditional order form, e-sign and a manually generated invoice, cash collection happens 7 times slower compared to transaction happening with a credit card swipe or bank transfer (ACH).

‍

These delays affect not just the sales team but the overall financial health of the business. This is why founders prefer allowing customers to execute a purchase with a credit card or ACH payment. Though these methods result in a 2.9% payment processing fee or $5 ACH fee, the cost of managing delinquent customers and accounts receivables is even greater.

‍

‍

‍

The Salesbricks Solution

Salesbricks built and powers the first B2B checkout that combines the experience of Stripe Payment Links with enterprise-grade quoting. Salesbricks checkout is a happy medium that simplifies the complexities of B2B sales with the simplicity everyone has learned and adopted in the B2C world. Checkout is quickly becoming the preferred way to buy software for executives and founders some of the most iconic tech companies from OpenAI, Anthropic, Cursor, Writer, a16z, Deel, ElevenLabs, Linear, and Sardine are starting to purchase software from vendors that use Salesbricks. Soon, all software will be purchased with B2B Checkout.

‍