Remember the old way of signing documents? Print it, sign it, find a scanner, send it, and then wait. And wait. That clunky, time-consuming process is a relic.
In today's fast-paced digital world, waiting for a physical signature is a bottleneck that costs you time, money, and momentum. Whether you're closing a sales contract, onboarding a new employee, or approving an invoice, the speed and efficiency of your document workflow matter.
This is where electronic signatures, or eSignatures, come in. They are the modern solution to an age-old problem, allowing you to sign and send documents securely from anywhere, on any device, in just a few clicks.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make an eSignature and revolutionize how you handle digital documents like PDFs and DOCX files.
Key Takeaways
- Effortless Creation: You can create a legally binding eSignature in minutes by typing your name, drawing it with a mouse or finger, or uploading an image of your signature.
- Legally Binding & Secure: Modern eSignature platforms like eSignly are compliant with regulations like the ESIGN Act in the US and eIDAS in the EU, making them legally valid. They are backed by robust security, including encryption and detailed audit trails.
- Boosts Efficiency Dramatically: Switching to eSignatures eliminates the print-sign-scan cycle. Companies using digital document workflows report significant increases in operational efficiency and productivity.
- Sign Anywhere, Anytime: The true power of eSignatures lies in their flexibility. You and your signers can complete documents from a computer, tablet, or mobile phone, accelerating agreements and approvals.
- Cost-Effective: By reducing reliance on paper, ink, printers, and postage, eSignatures deliver a strong return on investment, with many platforms offering free plans to get started.
Why Bother with an eSignature? The Business Case for Going Digital
Adopting eSignatures isn't just about convenience; it's a strategic business decision. The manual handling of documents is fraught with hidden costs and inefficiencies.
According to industry reports, employees can spend up to 40% of their time just searching for documents. Digital workflows change that equation entirely.
Companies that embrace digital document management see tangible results:
- Increased Productivity: Digital document management can boost productivity by up to 40% compared to traditional methods. This frees up your team to focus on high-value work instead of administrative tasks.
- Reduced Operational Costs: Transitioning to digital can cut document-related costs by over 50%. Think of the savings on paper, ink, printer maintenance, and shipping.
- Accelerated Turnaround Times: Sales contracts, HR forms, and vendor agreements can be completed in hours or minutes, not days or weeks. This speed can be the difference between winning and losing a deal.
- Enhanced Security: Unlike a piece of paper that can be lost or misfiled, a digitally signed document comes with a secure, unchangeable audit trail that records every action taken, from sending to signing.
Creating Your eSignature: A Simple 3-Step Guide
Getting started with an eSignature is incredibly straightforward. With a platform like eSignly, you can create your signature and sign your first document in minutes.
Here's how it works:
- Upload Your Document: Start by uploading the PDF or Word document you need to sign. You can typically drag and drop the file directly into the platform from your computer or a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox.
-
Create Your Signature: This is where you make your mark. You have a few options to create a signature that is uniquely yours:
- Type It: Simply type your name, and the system will render it in a variety of professional-looking signature fonts.
- Draw It: Use your mouse, trackpad, or a stylus on a touchscreen device to draw your signature, just as you would with a pen. This is a great way to create a handwritten e-signature to use on your online documents.
- Upload an Image: If you already have a scanned image of your signature, you can upload it directly.
- Place and Send: Drag your newly created signature onto the document where it's needed. If you need others to sign, you can add fields for their signatures, initials, dates, and other information before sending it to them via email. They'll receive a secure link to review and sign the document.
Ready to Ditch the Printer and Scanner for Good?
Experience the speed and security of digital document signing. Create your free eSignly account and send your first document in the next 5 minutes.
Start Signing for Free.
Get Started NowIs an Online Signature Legally Binding? Understanding the Essentials
This is one of the most common and important questions, and the answer is a resounding yes. In the United States, the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce (ESIGN) Act of 2000 and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) grant electronic signatures the same legal status as handwritten ones.
Similarly, the eIDAS regulation governs eSignatures across the European Union.
However, for an eSignature to be legally enforceable, it must meet certain criteria, which reputable platforms like eSignly are built to handle:
- Intent to Sign: The signer must demonstrate a clear intention to sign, which is usually done by clicking a button or drawing their signature.
- Consent to Do Business Electronically: Parties must agree to conduct the transaction electronically.
- Record Retention: The signed document must be stored and available for future reference by all parties.
- Attribution and Authentication: The signature must be linked to the correct person. This is managed through methods like email verification and secure audit trails.
For more detailed information, explore our guide on how to make an electronic signature for legal documents.
Electronic vs. Digital Signatures: What's the Difference?
While often used interchangeably, there's a technical distinction between 'electronic' and 'digital' signatures.
Understanding this can help you choose the right level of security for your needs.
An electronic signature is a broad term for any electronic process that indicates acceptance of an agreement.
This could be your typed name, a drawn signature, or even a clicked 'I agree' box.
A digital signature is a specific, highly secure type of electronic signature. It uses a cryptographic technology called Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to create a unique, tamper-evident 'fingerprint' on a document.
If the document is altered after signing, the digital signature is invalidated.
Here's a simple breakdown:
| Feature | Electronic Signature (eSignature) | Digital Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Any electronic symbol or process signifying intent to sign. | A specific type of eSignature using cryptographic encryption. |
| Security | Secure, with verification through email, IP address, and audit trails. | Highest level of security, with a certificate-based digital ID to verify identity and seal the document. |
| Best For | Most commercial agreements: sales contracts, HR documents, vendor agreements. | Highly regulated industries or transactions requiring irrefutable proof of integrity: legal filings, financial documents. |
To dive deeper, see our article on the difference between online signature, electronic signature, and digital signature.
Signing Documents on Any Device: The Key to Modern Business
The modern workforce is no longer tied to a desk. Business happens on laptops at home, on tablets in the field, and on smartphones between meetings.
Your document signing process needs to keep up. A key benefit of a platform like eSignly is its device-agnostic nature.
Whether you're sending a proposal from your desktop or your client is approving it on their iPhone, the experience is seamless.
This flexibility is crucial for maintaining momentum and providing a superior customer experience. There's no need to download special software; all signing happens within a secure web browser. This accessibility ensures that you can finalize agreements with anyone, anywhere, making it easier than ever for businesses that need to be adding a digital signature to documents using a computer, tablet, or mobile device.
2025 Update: The Future of Digital Agreements is Smarter and More Integrated
The world of eSignatures continues to evolve. Looking ahead, the focus is on deeper integration and greater intelligence.
Expect to see AI playing a larger role in verifying signer identity and analyzing contract risk. Furthermore, eSignature solutions are becoming less of a standalone tool and more of a core component of larger digital transformation strategies, integrating seamlessly with CRMs, ERPs, and other business-critical software.
The core principle, however, remains evergreen: making business faster, simpler, and more secure. The technology will get smarter, but the fundamental need to create a legally binding agreement with a simple, intuitive action will always be at its heart.
Platforms that prioritize security, compliance, and user experience will continue to lead the way.
Conclusion: Your Signature is Now as Digital as Your Business
The transition from paper to pixels is complete. Making an eSignature is no longer a novelty; it's a fundamental requirement for any modern business that values efficiency, security, and a professional customer experience.
The process is simpler, faster, and more secure than its paper-based predecessor. By embracing a robust platform like eSignly, you can eliminate workflow bottlenecks, reduce operational costs, and accelerate the pace of your entire business.
About the Author: This article is provided by the expert team at eSignly. With over a decade of experience since our founding in 2014, we have empowered over 100,000 users to streamline their document workflows.
Our platform is backed by leading security and compliance certifications, including ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR, ensuring your documents are always in safe hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of documents can I sign with an eSignature?
You can sign virtually any type of digital document. The most common formats are Adobe PDF (.pdf) and Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx), but platforms like eSignly also support other formats like spreadsheets and image files.
This includes sales contracts, NDAs, offer letters, onboarding paperwork, invoices, and legal agreements.
Do the people I send documents to need an eSignly account to sign?
No, they do not. Signers receive an email with a secure link to the document. They can open, review, and sign it on any device with a web browser without needing to create an account or pay any fees.
This frictionless experience is key to getting documents completed quickly.
How can I be sure my eSignature is secure?
Security is paramount. Reputable platforms like eSignly use multiple layers of protection. This includes SSL encryption for all data in transit, secure storage, and a comprehensive, unalterable audit trail that captures every action taken on the document, including IP addresses, timestamps, and signer information.
Our compliance with standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 further attests to our commitment to security.
Can I customize documents with my company's branding?
Yes. Professional and business plans typically allow you to add your company logo and customize the colors of the signing interface and email notifications.
This ensures a consistent and professional brand experience for your clients and partners.
Is there a free option to try making an eSignature?
Absolutely. eSignly offers a robust free plan that allows you to create your eSignature and sign a limited number of documents each month.
It's the perfect way to experience the benefits of digital signing firsthand before committing to a paid plan.
Ready to Transform Your Document Workflow?
Stop waiting and start signing. Join over 100,000 users who trust eSignly for fast, secure, and legally binding electronic signatures.
The future of your business is digital.
