Everything is online now. From ordering food delivered at your doorstep, shopping for clothes, buying a plane ticket, and even getting an appointment. Of course there are still other things you have to do manually, but in today’s time. The majority of the work is done quickly because of the technology, and it is no surprise because it is a demand that needs to be filled economically.

Which is why we, consumers, need to be adaptive as quickly as we can in order to catch up to the technological trends. One of them would be e-signatures. And what are e-signatures? And how are they helping in our day-to-day lives?

 

What Is an E-Signature?

An e-signature is a digital method of signing documents that shows that you agree to what's written on the paper. It is equally the same as signing documents on paper, but electronically. 

 

How E-Signatures Work

There are a few ways you can do it. In most cases, you just type your name and click a button that says “Sign” and then do your signature using whichever finger you are comfortable with as a pen to do your signature in a space provided. Other times, you can use your mouse to draw your name. 

Some apps even let you choose a fancy-looking signature and just tap to use it. It’s super simple and way faster than printing it out.

Here is an example:

Step 1:

You got hired for a new job, and they sent you a contract through email. Now, in the email, they asked you to sign it in a field where your position is, or sometimes it already has your name on it. 

Step 2:

The system will automatically give you suggestions if you would just like to type it instead and make the font seem like a signature or do it by hand.

Step 3:

After signing, you save the document and then send it back through email, and you are done.

Now there’s something called a digital signature too, but that is different because a digital signature is more technical and is extra safe because it has codes to keep it even more secure. An e-signature is what you see and use, and a digital one is like the invisible lock that helps protect it.

Are E-Signatures Legally Binding?

Yes it is! Laws like ESIGN Act (from the year 2000) and UETA allow e-signatures to be as effective as the traditional pen and paper method. Just as long as all of the stipulations found in the document are truthful and just.

Just like a regular legally binding document, both parties need to sign in order for it to be enforceable. Both must be in sound mind by the time the document is being signed, and both must understand what they are signing for.

E-signatures are legal as well in places like Canada and Europe and have already been widely used since the early 2000s, but prominent use started in the early 2010s.

 

Benefits of Using E-Signatures

First, it saves a lot of time. You don’t have to wait for someone to mail you something or send it back. It happens in just a few clicks.

You also don’t need to print anything. No scanning, no mailing, no wasting paper. It’s all done on your computer or phone, which means  less mess on your desk and no broken printer problems

Also, you can see who signed what and when, and everything is saved in one place. No more looking through drawers to find papers. It is also environmentally friendly because it demands zero paper. Less paper means more trees stay in the ground. Oh, and it saves money too since you don’t have to buy ink or stamps anymore.

 

Who Uses E-Signatures?

Virtually everyone in every industry who has ever and will ever sign documents uses e-signatures because they are faster and more efficient.

People working in the HR Department, Legal, Real Estate, Healthcare, Government, Construction, Education, and Finance.

And for the booming industry of online or remote work, this has especially helped a lot of businesses save time and resources. Freelancers, agency or business owners use this to create an even more efficient workflow.
 

Are E-Signatures Safe and Secure?

Some people worry if signing something online is really safe. But don’t worry, e-signatures use something called encryption to protect your info. That means the document is locked up with special codes so nobody can change it or sneak a peek unless they’re supposed to. It's kind of like putting your paper in a safe that only you and the right person can open.

There’s also something called an audit trail, which is just a fancy way to say it keeps track of everything. It shows when you opened the file, where you signed it, and even what time you did it. So if someone tries to say they didn’t sign, you got proof.

Most e-signature tools also check who you are before you can sign. They might send a verification email, or use your IP address to track where the sign-in came from. Some even use passwords or text messages for extra safety. That’s why it’s really important to use a provider you can trust—like SignFast. They make sure everything stays secure and in the right hands.

 

How to Start Using E-Signatures Today

All you really need is a device like a phone, tablet, or computer, an internet connection, and your email. That’s it! You don’t need to buy anything fancy or download a bunch of stuff.

To sign something, someone sends you a document. You click the link, follow the steps, and either type, draw, or tap to add your name. Then you press “Finish,” and the signed paper goes right back to them. If you’re the one sending it, you just upload the document, pick who needs to sign it, and hit send.

When you use SignFast, it’s even simpler. The website shows you exactly where to sign and lets you drag and drop boxes where other people need to sign too. You can track everything, get notifications, and store signed files safely in one spot. It's fast and easy, and you don’t have to be a computer expert to figure it out.

 

Conclusion

Everything is going digital now—shopping, school, work, even how we talk to each other. So it just makes sense that signing documents should go digital too. It’s way faster than using paper, and you don’t have to deal with printers or waiting for the mail anymore.

E-signatures help you save time, stay organized, and keep things secure. You can sign stuff from anywhere, anytime. That’s why more people and businesses are using them every day. It’s just easier and smarter than doing it the old way.

If you want to try it out, SignFast is a great place to start. It’s simple to use, safe, and works for all kinds of documents!
 

 

FAQs Section
 

What documents can be signed electronically?
Contracts, leases, forms, and etc.

Can I use e-signatures on my phone?
Yes, it works on phones and tablets.

Do both parties need an account to sign?
No, only the sender needs one.