Electronic signature apps are well-known for driving a substantial return on investment (ROI). Companies that implement digital signature management solutions typically see improvements in a range of areas, including employee productivity, storage costs, document workflows, and more.
In this short article, we’re going to outline five straightforward steps for researching and picking the best possible e-signature platform for your business. If you follow the guidance, you’re guaranteed to find an app with a set of features that is uniquely suited to your requirements.
How to Identify the Best E-signature Software for Your Business
Follow these five tips to find the perfect e-signature app for your business:
- Decide on the specific features you need – Apps often have substantially different feature sets. A pared-down tool like HelloSign, for example, allows you to upload documents and send them to clients for e-signing. But it offers little extra functionality beyond this. A more comprehensive tool, like PandaDoc, will provide access to an array of advanced features, like workflow management, integrations, document editing, rich media libraries, and more. Evaluate your organization’s requirements in the context of your current document workflow, especially with a view to streamlining and automating existing processes, and ask what features are essential. Once you have made a comprehensive list of these must-have features, you can use it to filter the various options available to you.
- Compare providers based on pricing – Pricing varies between apps, sometimes significantly. DocuSign, for example, offers a paid plan with a limit of five e-signatures per month. PandaDoc, on the other hand, has a free plan that allows for unlimited e-signing. Similarly, packages are often priced based on the number of users, meaning that costs can quickly rise for multi-employee corporations. Once you have found several plans that fit your requirements, make sure you clearly understand the monthly subscription cost for each one.
- Pay attention to usability and ease of onboarding – Before committing to software, always trial it. If employees are unable to use a new app efficiently, the learning curve, and resultant costs, will be much higher. Also check if any assistance is offered during the onboarding process. A dedicated onboarding manager can make a sizable difference.
- Account for support and account management packages – Issues will inevitably arise both during and after the implementation phase. Having access to a good support team is a must. Look for 24/7 customer service and if you have a preferred communication method (live chat, email, or phone), make sure that it’s included. Always check reviews on third-party sites when evaluating support options. You may even want to explore the possibility of picking a package that comes with a dedicated account manager.
Ensure your chosen app fits into your existing tech stack – Organizations often overlook this essential point. If your chosen app doesn’t fit into your current “stack” of programs, then you will needlessly lose out on efficiency gains. Ensure that your preferred electronic signature platform integrates with your accounting, email, online storage, project management, and any other relevant tools.