The Time You Didn’t Know You Were Wasting: How eSignature Workflow Automation Saves Hours Every Day

We’ve all been there: endless back-and-forth emails, reminders to sign a document, and the frustration of waiting for approvals that seem to drag on forever. What we may not realize, however, is how much time and energy are consumed by manual processes in getting documents signed — tasks that feel simple but often take up far more time than we’d like to admit.

In fact, there’s a strong chance that your team could be wasting hours every week just on document signing alone. But here’s the good news: there’s a much more efficient way to handle document signing through eSignature workflow automation. Let’s explore how adding a streamlined signing solution can save you valuable hours.

How Much Time Are You Really Wasting?

When it comes to document signing, the traditional process might feel harmless, but when you break it down, it’s a huge time sink. According to industry research, the average employee spends several hours a week just managing paper-based processes — including signing, scanning, and emailing documents. That time adds up quickly when you consider how many contracts, agreements, and forms most businesses go through.

Additionally, a staggering 46% of SMB employees waste time on inefficient paper processes every day. This is time that could be spent on more productive, strategic work — like engaging with clients, building projects, or developing new initiatives.

The Pain of Traditional Signing Processes

It’s easy to overlook just how much time we spend on document signing and management. Here’s a quick scenario:

Imagine an employee trying to get a contract signed. They send it out via email, follow up, wait for responses, then receive it back only to find the wrong section was signed, or worse, the document gets lost somewhere in the shuffle. The back-and-forth continues, wasting valuable time, and creating frustration on both ends. The entire process can take days — days that could have been spent on more productive tasks.

This is the reality many businesses face. And it’s not just time wasted — it’s the impact it has on productivity, stress levels, and even client satisfaction.

The Hidden Costs of Manual Processes

It’s not just about time. The hidden costs of manual document signing go beyond just lost hours:

• Time Wasted: On average, businesses can waste up to 10 hours per week on manual document signing. For larger organizations, this can add up to hundreds of hours per year.
• Impact on Productivity: The time spent on paperwork could be better used for more strategic work. Client meetings, project development, and internal collaboration often get delayed or postponed due to constant distractions from paperwork tasks.
• Emotional Toll: The frustration that comes from constantly chasing down signatures or waiting on someone else to complete a form is real. These inefficiencies lead to stress, burnout, and a drop in employee morale.

What is eSignature Workflow Automation?

So, how can we tackle these inefficiencies? eSignature workflow automation — a solution that can take the headache out of document signing and help you reclaim hours every week.

At its core, eSignature workflow automation streamlines the entire signing process. Documents are sent automatically, tracked digitally, and signed securely with just a few clicks. No more printing, signing, scanning, and sending documents back and forth.

Key features of eSignature workflow automation include:

• Instant Notifications: Automated reminders that ensure no document gets forgotten or delayed.
• Secure Cloud Storage: All documents are stored securely in the cloud, making access, retrieval, and sharing a breeze.
• Easy Integration: eSignature tools integrate seamlessly with your existing software tools (like CRMs and document management systems), allowing you to automate from start to finish.

Why eSignature Workflow Automation Is a Game-Changer

So, what are the tangible benefits of adopting eSignature workflow automation?

• Time Savings: On average, businesses save up to 80% of the time spent on manual signing processes. With automation, what once took days can now be completed in minutes.
• Improved Accuracy: Automation ensures that no fields are missed and that documents are signed correctly every time. No more backtracking to correct mistakes.
• Better Customer Experience: Clients no longer have to wait for days or deal with unnecessary paperwork. Faster processes mean happier clients and faster deal closures.
• Environmentally Friendly: With paperless processes, your company also reduces its environmental footprint — a win for the planet.

What Are Foxit Customers Saying?

Don’t just take our word for it — hear from businesses that have successfully implemented eSignature workflow automation:

“One thing that I prefer about Foxit eSign is how often I can use it as a means of doing away with signing reliably. I think it makes a huge difference whether it is agreement with the client or approval internally. It has an audit trail which makes everything very much clear, especially when it comes to compliance. One advantage of this is how easy it is to merge with our current programs and avoid having to use additional software to switch between documents.” Mauricio D., G2 Reviewer

“It is so much easier to use. Electronic signatures go out and come back in faster. Our Clients find it easier to use as well.” Ashley A., G2 Reviewer

“The most striking feature in Foxit eSign is that it has a rather clear and intuitive interface that makes working with documents and their signatures quite easy. This is well supported by Google Drive and Microsoft Office where document interaction as well as signing is easily facilitated without interruption. The other great benefit of the system is the automated approval workflows which has boosted the rate of processing of documents to higher levels. Certainly, Foxit eSign has immensely enhanced our functionality in dealing with documents.” Gerardo J., G2 Reviewer

“I love the value and ease of use. I can add signatures, route so that it automatically goes from one signer to the next without me acting as a router for the documents. Very intuitive and the price is amazing.” Leslie L., G2 Reviewer

Reclaim Your Time with eSignature Workflow Automation

It’s clear: the time and effort spent on manual document signing is more than just an inconvenience. It’s a productivity drain that impacts every aspect of your business. By embracing eSignature workflow automation, you can save countless hours, reduce stress, and create a smoother, more efficient workflow for your team.

Don’t let outdated processes hold you back. Embrace automation, and start saving time today. Download your Free Trial of Foxit eSign today and see how you can improve your document workflows.