- December 21, 2021
- Stanley Chow, Sr Product Marketing Manager
So, you’ve put a digital version of your handwriting on a PDF form or other digital document. How does that work?
What are e signatures anyway?
An electronic signature, also known as an e signature, is a digital version of a traditional handwritten signature. E signatures are legally binding in many countries and are commonly used to sign contracts, fill out forms, and approve documents.
Legally, an electronic signature can be used whenever you require a signature.
There are situations where you require simplicity, security, convenience, affordability, and cost-effectiveness. Electronic signature are perfect for these situations.
Reasons to Utilize Electronic Signatures:
- You need an easy and intuitive solution. Electronic signatures can streamline your HR services. Use them for time-sensitive documents such as time sheets, tax forms, or onboarding forms for new employees.
- It is very important to have 100 percent security when dealing with sensitive information. This includes retention or fee agreements and confidentiality agreements. An eSignature can provide this security by providing a comprehensive audit trail.
- You need speed and convenience. Sometimes legal services such as class actions communications may need to be sent to hundreds or thousands of people. You could save hours, or even days by disseminating a batch of documents with electronic signature requests. eSignatures can be used quickly in retail to sign purchase orders, invoices and make sales. It will impress techno-minded business associates and keep your business moving.
- You need to reduce your costs. This is important for finance. You can do this by opening, maintaining, and closing accounts with eSignatures. This will save you money on shipping fees and insurance costs.
An online form allows you to collect electronic signatures from anyone without having to wait for physical forms to be returned. This way, you can get signed documents from anyone without any hassle. You can create signature forms for your website by using online tools.
This allows you to get legally binding signatures from your customers or clients. You can also use online forms to collect payments. This way, you can get paid for your services quickly and easily.
Electronic Signatures are Increasingly Common
A large number of cases in the past three years have allowed people to use electronic signatures for things like family law, real estate deals, and certain health contracts.
This trend is likely to continue, as electronic signatures offer a number of advantages over traditional paper-based signatures. They are more convenient, can be completed faster, and are less likely to be forged or tampered with. In addition, they can provide a higher level of security and accountability, as they can be linked to a specific individual’s identity.
There are still some best practices and tips to be aware of.
Let’s look at how to succeed with electronic signatures.
Best Practices for eSignatures
- Use an online platform to make the process easier and faster. This is the best way to ensure that all elements of an agreement are legal and in place. Each party can view and track the acceptance and consideration of terms.
- Make sure all parties can sign. Every party that signs must be legally competent and have the right to do so.
- Plan for storage requirements. Electronic documents that have been signed should be stored in a way that is accessible and also very secure.
To make the most of digital signatures, make sure that your document is complete and ready to go. Also, have access to electronic signature tools like Foxit eSign that can take care of the process for you.
If you’re signing a contract, be sure that you understand the terms and conditions. If you’re not comfortable with them, ask for clarification or walk away from the deal. Once you’re ready to sign, simply follow the instructions provided by the e-signature service.
Getting Started with Foxit e-Sign
E-signatures are a legally binding way to sign documents electronically, allowing you to get signatures from anyone, anywhere in the world.
Foxit eSign is a powerful e-signature solution that makes it easy to get started with e-signatures.
eSign lets you get signatures from lots of people at the same time. You can also see what stage your document is in and get notifications when someone signs it. Plus, there’s a free trial so you can try it before you buy it.
To get started with eSign, first create an account. Then, upload the document you need to be signed. Once it’s uploaded, you’ll be able to add fields for each signer’s name and email address.
You can then send the document out for signature and track the status of the document in real-time. When all parties have signed the document, eSign will notify you by email.
You can then download the signed document or share it with others via email or social media. With eSign, getting signatures on your important documents is quick, easy, and legally binding.
Thanks for this article. I use eSignature already for 2 years. It’s very convenient.