Implementing e-Signatures in Your Application: A Starter Guide

The digital age we live in did not just happen. This digital everyday life has been created under the pressure of many new obligations and requirements, and the idea is only one – to simplify and speed up each of the processes to make things more accessible. That is why a large part of the services and obligations can be completed online. With that, you can get the opportunity to receive all certificates and documents of high importance generated electronically, that is, to be generated with an electronic signature.

The revolution of working without printing not only protects the environment but also makes everything easier for customers and businesses alike. There is no more need for excessive contacts, creating crowds of customers, or downtime due to system crashes, printer malfunctions, etc. Today, every business can integrate electronic signatures into its work system and issue all important documents electronically. Ready to integrate electronic signing into your business? Need a how-to guide for beginners? You are in the right place, let’s get started!

What you need to know about electronic signatures

Before we get down to the things you need to know, let’s go over the basics first. Electronic signatures are a digital translation of the signature, which can be used for digital documents to verify the document as official and approved. It has the same importance as printing the document and signing it, which makes the whole procedure legal. Of course, electronic signatures are legally regulated and allowed. There are several types of signatures to be aware of:

Simple electronic signatures – this is a basic type of signature that you can most often see as a typed name and surname, that is, uploaded as a picture. Of course, the image has certain protective elements that make the signature itself verified and valid.

Advanced electronic signatures – these signatures are placed exclusively through a previous security procedure. Anyone who signs before generating the signature is required to go through the verification process and receive a one-time OTP password via SMS or email that they enter before generating the signature.

Digital signature – this is a secure option that uses a background security system, through which a digital certificate is generated for the signer. With the help of this security certificate, the identity of the signatory is verified, but it also gives validity, officiality, and confirmation that the document is approved and official, so it can be used.

Advantages that every business can enjoy from electronic signatures

In the course of everyday business, businesses generate a huge number of documents that they print, and each official signs if he agrees with its content and purpose of issuance. To speed up the process and give it a smoother flow, it is good to incorporate electronic signatures that bring the following benefits:

Saving time and speeding up processes – You no longer need to wait for the document to be printed, signed by you or a colleague and then sent. There are electronic signatures that come in several forms, one of which is the eSignature API. Save time and start completing your obligations to clients a little faster and thus increase efficiency and work done in record time.

Increase customer satisfaction – If you save customers time, it will surprise them, and at the same time you will gain more trust, more respect. You will gain loyal customers who will appreciate your consideration of their time and their commitment to securing your electronically issued document with an electronic signature.

Cost reduction and greater savings – By stopping the preparation and printing process, you will reduce paper costs, printer toner costs, printer maintenance, and the cost of electricity used by printers. On the other hand, you will be efficient and you will be able to respond to every document requested by clients and colleagues using an e-signature.

Increased security and reduced risk of document forgery – Today it is very easy to copy someone’s signature that is placed on a piece of paper, and e-signatures do not allow such a thing because they are certified. Automatically, by using e-signatures on official documents you bring security to your business and reduce the risk of document forgery, as e-signatures do not allow this.

You can simplify the process of working globally – If your business operates internationally, you will be significantly faster in issuing and sending documents if you incorporate e-signatures. You no longer need to go through complex processes, now all you need is to digitally create the document, attach it to the already written email, and send it.

Provider sourcing, implementation, and testing process

Before you begin this change, it is most important to find an electronic signature provider that will be secure for you. Providers need to have a license to work with electronic signatures, a portfolio of successful clients and companies behind them, and a sufficiently secure system of approvals and certifications. If you have found such a provider, all you have to do is go through the following:

Integrating with the API system – The first step after choosing your provider is to match and integrate your provider’s API system. It is important to establish a secure connection, to complete the process thoroughly between the application you are using and the electronic document registration platform. If you finish this quickly and simply, the next stage follows.

Electronic signature preparation and testing – The next step requires you and the provider to prepare the application so that each important document can be signed. It is a process that should be performed by the professional from the provider’s side to prepare the ground for signing documents. When this part is sorted out, there will be a testing phase that can last for some time until it is determined that everything is in order and documents can be signed electronically.

Monitoring the process – After enabling your application to sign documents using the e-signature from the provider, the monitoring phase of the process follows. This will determine if everything is in order, if some improvement is needed, or if your business is still fully ready to sign documents with an e-signature.

This is a great opportunity that can bring progress and fast work for many businesses, including yours. Take advantage of the opportunities of the new era, increase security, reduce costs, and start signing electronically with the help of a trusted e-signature provider. Bring your company a digital revolution that will enable it to be more accessible and closer to satisfied customers.