E-signature

Once a client agrees to a quote, you usually want a signature. E-signature tools let you upload a quote, proposal or contract, place fields for signatures, initials and dates, and send it to the people who need to sign. Each signer gets a link, signs on any device, and everyone receives the completed document.

The main differences are in templates, signing order, branding and the audit trail. A completion certificate that records who signed, when and from what device helps if a signature is questioned later. Templates save time on documents you send often, and bulk sending helps when many clients sign the same terms.

Many proposal tools include signing already, so you may not need a separate e-signature tool. A dedicated one makes sense when you sign many kinds of documents, need a specific level of identity checking, or want to embed signing in your own app through an API.

Check legal fit for your situation. E-signatures are widely accepted for business agreements, but some document types and some countries have special rules. Ask a lawyer if you are unsure about a particular contract.

Also look at volume limits and pricing per sender, since plans often cap documents per month. A small business sending a few contracts a month needs something different from a sales team sending hundreds.