Your document signing process is only as effective as the e signature software you are using. If you’re not sure what needs improving, and how to increase your efficiency, here are six ways to do just that.
Know what you need
Before you begin your document-signing process, it’s important to have a clear idea of what you need. This can be achieved by taking the following steps:
Know the purpose of your software: Do you want to digitize documents? Do you want customers to sign documents online? Or are there other objectives that could benefit from e signature software? Answering these questions will give you an idea of why you want to implement e signature software in the first place.
Know what needs to be accomplished with the software: What is its primary function, and how does it accomplish that function? For example, if you’re looking for a tool for digital signatures and electronic contracts, does it allow users to sign documents by clicking on a button or using their fingerprint or other biometrics? It’s also helpful if an e signature solution includes features such as document management or workflow automation capabilities.
Know who will use the system: It’s best if everyone involved understands how they’ll benefit from adopting this new process so they can provide input on requirements or identify potential issues before implementation begins.
Make sure your software is easy to use
To make your document signing process more efficient with e signature software, it’s important to ensure that the software you choose is easy for both you and your customers. To do so, look at the type of browser or computer that both you and your customers will be using. Make sure the e signature software you are considering are compatible with these devices, such has iPhones or PCs.
Also, take into account whether or not there are any other programs on either of these devices that need to run alongside the e signature software for it to work properly. If this is the case, then consider using a different brand of electronic signature that can operate on multiple platforms at once.
Have a clearly defined process
When you define your process, make sure that each step is clearly defined and documented. When you make it clear what information needs to be gathered, who needs to gather it, and where it should go, you are making the steps in the process less confusing for everyone involved. By creating a more efficient process for signing documents, you can reduce errors and increase customer satisfaction.
Keep things efficient and organized
A document signing workflow should be simple, easy to use, and flexible enough to accommodate the needs of everyone involved. By keeping your tech set up as efficient as possible, you can streamline the process while still making sure everyone is comfortable with their role in the e signature workflow.
Make sure your e signature software will integrate with your other business software
Integrating your e signature software with other business software is an important factor in making the document signing process more efficient. The ability to integrate makes it easy for your employees to get their documents signed quickly and efficiently, without having to worry about how they’re going to send them or how their clients will access them.
Integration isn’t just about saving time and hassle—it can also help reduce costs by eliminating the need for additional hardware and software. For example, if you’re integrating with a standalone CRM system like Salesforce, then it’s probably not necessary for everyone on your team to buy Salesforce licenses and subscriptions, especially when when most people only use a few functions from this platform.
Do a cost analysis, if it’s worth it, move forward
Once you know what your budget is, it’s time to do a cost analysis. If this is not the right tool for your business needs, don’t buy it. On the other hand, if you find a good fit in terms of features and price point, go ahead and make the purchase.
Once purchased and installed on your computer or device—and with proper training—your company will see many benefits from using e signature software including reduced costs related to printing documents, and reduced costs related to postage from sending out documents to customers, clients, and vendors.
Conclusion
This article is intended to inspire you to start thinking about how e signature software could improve your business’s document signing process. While it may seem like an unnecessary expense, there are many benefits to making this investment. With e signature software, you’ll have more time and resources available for other tasks, you’ll save money on postage and paper costs, and you can increase productivity by streamlining operations between departments or even across the globe. If all of these reasons aren’t enough for you, then consider the fact that e signature software is now legally required for many transactions, particularly ones that are conducted online.
