The original Docstoc technology allowed users to upload, share or embed documents on their website. Features such as DocShots allowed users to hover over an embedded document link and view a preview without having to download it. Documents could also be set to private, and shared with selected people.
In 2010, The Docstore Marketplace was launched, and Docstoc encouraged professional users such as lawyers, accountants and real estate brokers to earn revenue from selling their own business documents on the site. Users could sell their commercial documents (such as contracts, business templates, technical guides or academic papers) and split the revenue with Docstoc. All of these seller documents had to be approved by Docstoc before being placed in the Docstore, in order to manage professional quality. Document owners could also register for DocCash, a service which generated 50/50 revenue from advertisements between Docstoc and the user.
In 2011, Docstoc focused on producing its own high-quality business content, with the goal of creating 10,000 professional documents internally by the end of that year; these premium documents were in addition to the over 20 million documents already uploaded by users. It also developed partnerships with content providers such as LegalZoom and ProQuest Dissertations, and produced its own articles and videos featuring tips for business professionals. For users interested in frequent use, the website launched Docstoc Premium, a subscription service that allows users to access premium business documents and packages using credits, and surf the website without advertisements. Users could also access Docstoc Premium documents remotely through the iPad app, which was launched in May 2011.
