A signature is the final step that turns plans into reality. Signing critical business contracts with clients, partners, or teams on time can make or break important deals.
The old process of printing, signing, and scanning contracts is outdated and inefficient. Today, businesses embrace eSignatures—a faster, more convenient, and more secure way to manage agreements.
In this blog, we will explore everything you need to know about how to eSign a contract for your business, ensuring it is secure, legally binding, and simple to execute.
How to sign a contract? Signing a business contract seals an agreement between parties and sets things in motion. Traditionally, this meant dealing with ink and paper, but modern enterprises now prefer eSignatures.Â
They simplify the entire process; creating contracts is faster with templates, signing is streamlined with options for bulk or sequential signing, and automated follow-ups ensure no delays. Once signed, storing and accessing documents is seamless, saving time and effort for businesses.
To sign a contract electronically, follow these steps:
Choose an eSignature solution : Select a platform that meets your business needs, which offers seamless signing capabilities. Upload the document : Add your contract to the platform, either by uploading from your device or pulling it from a cloud storage service.Prepare the document : Add any necessary fields for signatures, initials, or dates.Sign the document : Simply click on the designated areas to sign. You can either draw your signature or upload an image of it.Verify and send : After signing, the platform will often provide verification steps to ensure the document’s integrity before sending it to the other party.Watch this video to learn how to effortlessly create and sign a contract for your business, step by step.
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“We chose Signeasy after evaluating Adobe Sign, thanks to its powerful features. We’ve eliminated 10,000 printouts monthly, reducing costs and accelerating our digital transformation. The turnaround time on contracts has gone from weeks to days.” How to send and sign a contract for your business Sending and signing contracts is quick and efficient with eSignature tools. Businesses can streamline the process with features like automated reminders, tracking signing progress, and ensuring legal compliance.Â
Once completed, the signed contract is securely stored, making it easy to access and manage. These tools not only save time but also enhance professionalism and reliability in handling business agreements.
Here’s a quick two-minute video that shows how to send a document to your client for signature.Â
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Steps to send contracts and secure signatures quickly with Signeasy: 1. Upload the contract Start by uploading your document. With Signeasy, you can either upload a file from your device, use pre-built templates, import documents from integrated tools like Google Drive or Dropbox, or work directly with originals.
2. Prepare the contract A. Enter recipient information: Add the email addresses of all signers. Use features like two-factor authentication (2FA) to verify recipient identities for added security. You can also request additional documents as attachments from recipients.
B. Specify signing order: If the contract requires signatures in a particular sequence (e.g., manager first, client second), set the signing order to ensure a smooth workflow.
3. Add fields Drag and drop common fields like signatures, initials, dates, text boxes, checkboxes, or company stamps to the document.Â
For lengthy or multi-page contracts, Signeasy simplifies the process with features like one-click to add signatures to all pages and tools to quickly identify pages that require signatures. This saves significant time in reviewing and ensures no fields are missed.
4. Review with AI Use Signeasy’s AI-powered review feature to check if the important clauses are covered, set renewal reminders, and get quick summaries of the contract.Â
5. Send the contract Once everything is ready, send the contract. Recipients will receive an email with a secure link to review and sign electronically.
6. Send auto-reminders Signeasy sends automatic reminders to follow up with recipients, ensuring contracts are signed without delays.
7. Track progress Monitor the document status in real-time from your Signeasy dashboard. Know exactly who has signed, who is pending, and take action if needed.
8. Store and access securely After completion, the signed contract can be stored securely within Signeasy or archived in cloud storage platforms like Google Drive or OneDrive. Finding documents is hassle-free with Signeasy’s advanced search function, making it easy to locate contracts when you need them.
This process ensures that contracts are signed swiftly, without the hassle of scheduling meetings or mailing paperwork.
6 Elements of the contract signing process The contract signing process involves several essential elements that must be in place to make the agreement legally binding. These are:
Offer and acceptance : One party makes an offer, and the other party accepts it. This mutual consent is the foundation of every contract.Consideration : There must be something of value exchanged between the parties, such as goods, services, or money.Competence : Both parties must be legally capable of entering into the contract, meaning they are of sound mind and legal age.Mutual consent : Both parties must agree to the terms and conditions set forth in the contract.Legal purpose : The contract must be for a lawful objective.Signature : Finally, the contract is signed, either physically or electronically, to indicate that both parties agree to the terms.These elements ensure that the signed contract is enforceable and legally binding.
More features for eSigning contract for business eSignature platforms like Signeasy offer advanced features to streamline and secure the contract-signing process for businesses. These include:
Templates : Create and reuse templates for common contracts like NDAs or service agreements, saving time and ensuring consistency.Audit Trails : Ensure legal compliance with a detailed, tamper-proof log of every action taken on a contract.Bulk Sending : Send the same contract to multiple recipients at once, ideal for onboarding or policy acknowledgments.Multiple Signatures : Handle agreements requiring signatures from multiple parties across different locations effortlessly.Sequential and Parallel Signing: Set workflows for documents requiring signatures in a specific order or allow all signers to sign simultaneously.Smart Notifications : Stay updated on contract status with instant notifications for pending, viewed, and signed documents.Custom Branding : Add your company’s logo and colors for a professional, branded signing experience.Cloud Storage : Automatically sync signed contracts with platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive for secure and organized storage.Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) : Assign specific roles and permissions to team members, ensuring sensitive documents are only accessed by authorized individuals.SSO (Single Sign-On) : Simplify login and enhance security by integrating Signeasy with your existing SSO provider, ensuring only authenticated users can access your account.Digital Certificates : Add an extra layer of authenticity with digital certificates that verify the integrity of the signed document.Team Usage Reports : Monitor activity at the team and individual levels, helping businesses track document usage and identify bottlenecks.Mobile Access: Manage contracts anytime, anywhere, with Signeasy’s mobile app.Integrations: Seamlessly connect with tools like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and popular CRMs for efficient workflows. eSign requirements for businesses Not all electronic signatures are created equal. To ensure that your eSignature is legally binding and compliant with regulations, businesses must meet certain requirements:
Legality : Electronic signatures are recognized under laws such as the ESIGN Act in the U.S. and eIDAS regulation in the EU.Security : Ensure that the eSignature platform offers encryption and secure storage of signed documents.Authentication : Use multi-factor authentication to verify the identity of the signers.Tamper-Proof : Signed documents should be locked to prevent any unauthorized changes after signing.By meeting these requirements, your business can confidently rely on eSignatures for legally binding contracts.
Best practices for businesses when signing a contract Understand the Terms: Thoroughly review the contract to ensure all terms align with your business’s expectations and requirements. Seek legal advice if necessary.Ensure Document Integrity: Use eSignature platforms that provide tamper-proof technology and audit trails to guarantee the authenticity of the document and prevent unauthorized changes.Verify Signer Identities: Implement security measures like two-factor authentication (2FA) to confirm the identities of all signers, especially for sensitive or high-value agreements.Customize Signature Fields: Clearly define all required fields such as signatures, initials, dates, and any additional inputs. For multi-page contracts, use features like automatic field identification to avoid missing key pages.Set Up Signing Order: If multiple parties are involved, determine whether signatures need to be collected sequentially or in parallel, based on the agreement’s requirements.Communicate Expectations : Provide clear instructions to all signers about the signing process, including deadlines and any supporting documents they may need to attach.Use Custom Branding: Enhance trust and professionalism by including your company’s logo and colors on contracts, ensuring recipients feel confident about the process.Leverage Auto-Reminders: Avoid delays by setting up automated reminders to nudge signers to complete their part on time.Secure Storage and Organization: Once the contract is signed, store it securely in an easily accessible system like Signeasy or cloud storage platforms. Use tagging or advanced search functions to organize documents for quick retrieval.Monitor and Track Activity: Use tracking features to monitor the contract’s progress, ensuring there are no bottlenecks or missed steps.Keep an Audit Trail : Retain a detailed record of the signing process, including timestamps and signer actions, to provide evidence of compliance and accountability if needed.Start signing contracts quickly with electronic signatures Time is money in business, and electronic signatures can save both. Whether you're finalizing a sales agreement, hiring new employees, or onboarding new clients, electronic signatures enable you to sign contract and get it approved within minutes.Â
With platforms like Signeasy , you can expedite contract workflows and improve efficiency, allowing your business to focus on more critical tasks.
“Rappi onboards thousands of restaurants and merchant partners every month, and with that comes tedious contract management processes. Signeasy has helped us eliminate paperwork backlogs, accelerate onboarding, and scale our internal and external workflows seamlessly." Choosing the right eSignature platform for your business Selecting the right eSignature platform is key to streamlining workflows, ensuring document security, and creating a smooth signing experience for users. Here’s a breakdown of what to consider when choosing the best platform for your needs:
1. Define your business needs Start by identifying how your business will use the eSignature platform. Consider your document types, the volume of signatures required, and if there’s a need for collaborative reviews. Knowing these specifics helps narrow down platforms that best align with your organization’s requirements.
2. Prioritize security and compliance When handling sensitive documents, security should be a top priority. Look for platforms with features like data encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and compliance with regulations such as ESIGN (U.S.) or eIDAS (EU). Platforms like Signeasy provide secure audit trails, tracking document access and actions, which is essential for high-compliance industries like finance or healthcare.
3. Ensure ease of use A user-friendly eSignature platform simplifies adoption and speeds up workflows. Look for intuitive designs, drag-and-drop tools, and step-by-step guidance that make it easy for all parties to sign documents. Mobile accessibility is another must-have, allowing users to sign from smartphones or tablets, ideal for professionals working on the go. Platforms with customizable templates can also save time for businesses that reuse similar contracts.
4. Check for integration with current tools Seamless integration with existing tools is crucial for maximizing productivity. Look for platforms that connect easily with CRM systems (like HubSpot ), document storage (such as Google Drive ), or ERP tools. If your business requires custom workflows, prioritize platforms with API access, which allows e-signature capabilities to be embedded into your own applications.
5. Review scalability and pricing Opt for a platform that scales with your business. Many eSignature providers, such as Signeasy, offer free trials, which can help you test the platform’s features and usability. Check for flexible pricing plans that suit your current needs, with options for per-document or per-user pricing. If you anticipate growth, consider platforms with enterprise features like advanced reporting, custom integrations, and priority support.
6. Assess customer support and reliability Good customer support is essential, especially for mission-critical signing processes. Look for platforms with accessible support channels (live chat, email, phone), and consider 24/7 support if your business requires it. Educational resources like FAQs, tutorials, and webinars are also valuable for onboarding users and resolving minor issues.
By focusing on these factors, you can select an eSignature platform that enhances your document workflows, provides top-level security, and supports your business as it grows. For businesses starting out, Signeasy offers a secure, intuitive platform with mobile-friendly features, making it a versatile choice for both small businesses and larger enterprises.
Conclusion eSignatures have changed the way businesses manage contracts. By moving away from paper-based processes, companies can reduce turnaround times, cut down on costs, and enhance security. With the right eSignature platform, such as Signeasy, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and simplify their contract-signing workflows. Ready to make the switch? Start eSigning today and experience the benefits firsthand.
Experience Signeasy, the easiest way to sign, send, and manage business contracts. Contact our sales team to learn how Signeasy can help your business streamline signatures and contract management.
