Getting Started with Baseflow

Beginner8 min read

Welcome to Baseflow! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start managing contracts and collecting e-signatures. By the end of this guide, you will be ready to streamline your entire contract workflow.

What is Baseflow?

Baseflow is a complete contract lifecycle management (CLM) and e-signature platform built specifically for businesses operating in Africa. We help you create, send, track, and store contracts digitally - all while ensuring compliance with local e-signature laws across Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and more.

Contract Management

Create, organize, and manage all your contracts in one central location.

Legally Binding E-Signatures

Collect signatures that are legally valid across African jurisdictions.

Built for Africa

Local currency support, compliance tools, and templates designed for African businesses.

Creating Your Account

Getting started with Baseflow takes less than two minutes. Follow these simple steps to create your account.

Sign Up Process

1
Visit baseflow.com/register
Click the "Get Started" button on the homepage or navigate directly to the signup page.
2
Enter your email address
We recommend using your business email for better deliverability of contract notifications.
3
Create a secure password
Use at least 8 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
4
Verify your email
Check your inbox for a verification email and click the link to activate your account.

Screenshot: Baseflow Sign Up Page

Image placeholder - signup form interface

Email verification required

Look for an email from "Baseflow" with the subject "Verify your email address." Click the verification link within 24 hours. If you do not see it, check your spam folder.

Setting Up Your Workspace

After verification, you will be guided through setting up your workspace. This information will appear on your contracts and helps build trust with signers.

Company Details

Company name and registration number
Business address and contact info
Industry and company size

Logo Upload

Upload your company logo (PNG, JPG, or SVG)
Recommended size: 400x100 pixels
Appears on contracts and signing pages

Brand Colors

Set primary and accent colors
Customize email templates
White-label signing experience

Your Profile

Full name and job title
Phone number for account recovery
Profile photo (optional)

Screenshot: Workspace Setup Screen

Image placeholder - workspace configuration interface

Creating Your First Contract

Now that your workspace is set up, let us create your first contract. Follow these step-by-step instructions.

Step 1: Click New Contract

From your dashboard, click the "New Contract" button in the top right corner. You will see options to start from scratch or use a template.

Screenshot: New Contract Button

Step 2: Choose a Template or Start Blank

Browse our library of professionally-designed templates (NDAs, employment contracts, service agreements) or upload your own document. Templates come pre-configured with signature fields and dynamic variables.

Screenshot: Template Library

Step 3: Fill in Contract Details

Add the contract title, description, and fill in any custom fields. Use dynamic variables like {{client_name}} and {{contract_date}} to personalize contracts automatically.

Step 4: Add Signature Fields

Drag and drop signature fields, initials, dates, and text fields onto your document. Assign each field to a specific signer. You can also add checkbox fields for terms acceptance.

Screenshot: Contract Editor with Signature Fields

Pro tip: Save as template

If you will be sending similar contracts frequently, save your contract as a template. This preserves your formatting, fields, and default settings for future use.

Sending for Signatures

Once your contract is ready, it is time to send it to signers. Here is how the process works.

Add Recipients

Enter the email addresses of everyone who needs to sign. You can assign different roles: Signer, Viewer, or Approver. Set the signing order if signatures need to happen in a specific sequence.

Customize Email Message

Add a personal message that will be included in the signing invitation email. This helps provide context and increases response rates.

Set Deadline (Optional)

Set an expiration date for the contract. Signers will receive automatic reminders as the deadline approaches. Expired contracts can be extended or re-sent.

Review and Send

Preview the contract one final time, then click "Send for Signature." Each recipient will receive an email with a secure link to view and sign the document.

Screenshot: Send for Signature Dialog

Image placeholder - recipient and message configuration

Tracking Contract Status

After sending, you can track every contract in real-time from your dashboard. Here is what each status means and how to take action.

Pending

Awaiting Signatures

The contract has been sent but not all signatures have been collected. You can view who has signed and who is still pending. Send reminders to nudge non-responders.

Viewed

Document Opened

The recipient has opened and viewed the contract. This is a good sign - they are engaged with the document. If they do not sign within a day or two, consider sending a follow-up.

Completed

Fully Signed

All parties have signed the contract. A completed copy with the certificate of completion is automatically sent to all signers. The signed document is securely stored in your account.

Expired

Deadline Passed

The signing deadline has passed without all signatures being collected. You can extend the deadline or create a new version of the contract to re-send.

Screenshot: Contract Dashboard with Status Filters

Image placeholder - contracts list with status indicators

Real-time notifications

Enable email and in-app notifications to get instant updates when contracts are viewed, signed, or completed. Configure your notification preferences in Settings.

Quick Tips for Beginners

Here are some best practices to help you get the most out of Baseflow from day one.

Use Templates

Start with our pre-built templates to save time. They are designed by legal experts and comply with local regulations. Customize them to match your needs.

Organize with Folders

Create folders to organize contracts by client, project, or type. Use tags for additional categorization. This makes finding contracts much easier as you scale.

Set Up Reminders

Enable automatic reminders for pending contracts. You can configure reminder frequency and messaging. This significantly improves signing completion rates.

Add Team Members

Invite your team and set appropriate permissions. Define who can create, send, and manage contracts. Collaboration features help larger teams stay organized.

Complete Your Branding

Upload your logo and set brand colors. A professional, branded signing experience builds trust and improves your company's image with clients.

Explore Integrations

Connect Baseflow with your existing tools like Google Workspace, Slack, or your CRM. Integrations help automate your workflow and reduce manual data entry.

What is Next?

You are now ready to start using Baseflow! Here are some recommended next steps to continue your learning.

Need help getting started?

Our support team is available 24/7 to help you succeed with Baseflow.

Visit Help Center Contact Support