Beyond data collection: Exploring the uses for online forms - Part III (E-signatures)

We are back with another intriguing blog post in our series about the endless capabilities of online forms beyond data collection.

Most of us have probably signed a lease agreement or other rental property documents at some point in our lives. The steps involved in the traditional manual signature workflow are quite similar whether you're renting an apartment, leasing a car, or signing a commercial property agreement. Imagine getting legally binding signatures on important documents in seconds and closing business deals faster than ever before.

In this post, we will discuss how online forms can transform the way you obtain signatures on your documents, enhance convenience and efficiency, and streamline signature workflows with automation. And, of course, we'll highlight the comprehensive features Zoho Forms offers to expedite and simplify signature collection.

If you are new to this blog series, make sure to check out our previous posts on using forms for payments and approvals.

Leave manual processes behind

Did you know that one of the oldest recorded signatures dates back to ancient Egypt? Around 3,000 years ago, the pharaohs would affix a unique seal, known as a cartouche, to official documents.

Today, manual methods often involve printing, signing, scanning, and mailing or hand-delivering documents for signature. These methods can be time-consuming, require coordination between the parties involved and are prone to errors.

If you find yourself still relying on manual processes to obtain signatures with stamps and seals on your contracts, agreements, applications, and other documents, it's time to embrace the power of automated signature workflows.

What's an e-signature? 

An e-signature, or electronic signature, is a digital version of your handwritten wet signature. It's a simple, modern way to commit to the terms outlined in a document.

So, what's the big deal with automating signature workflows for your business? 

Let's take a look at some of the benefits.

 First off, it saves you a ton of time. With e-signatures, documents can be sent digitally, signed remotely, and returned in a matter of minutes, eliminating the delays associated with physical handling. This frees up valuable time and resources, allowing your team to focus on higher-value tasks.

 Manual processes leave room for errors, such as missing or incomplete signatures, misplaced documents, and mis-entered data. By automating signature workflows, you minimize the risk of errors and ensure the accuracy and completeness of your signed documents.

 You'll save money. Automated signature workflows eliminate the printing, postage, and storage costs associated with paper-based document signing. Additionally, they reduce administrative overhead, enabling your organization to save money and allocate resources more effectively.

 Automated signature workflows provide a seamless and convenient signing experience to your clients or partners. They can sign documents digitally from anywhere, at any time, without the need for physical presence or complex logistics. This improves customer satisfaction and expedites business transactions.

 Multiple stakeholders can collaborate on and sign documents simultaneously, simplifying the review and approval process. This means you can close deals faster.

 How does Zoho Forms streamline your signature workflows? 

With Zoho Forms' streamlined and automated signature process, you can obtain legally binding signatures on your documents in a matter of seconds. Close business deals faster than ever, while eliminating manual paperwork and delays.

Zoho Forms provides a dedicated Signature field that you can drag and drop onto your forms. Respondents can fill in the field with a digital signature.

Here's how Zoho Forms e-signature workflows, integrated with Zoho Sign, work in a nutshell:

 Custom templates
Get creative and customize your document templates in Zoho Sign. Then, seamlessly integrate them with your forms.

     Easy data collection 
    Collect all the necessary data and information from your customers using Zoho Forms.

       Automated processes
      Zoho Forms automatically sends pre-filled documents for e-signature.
      You can send a document to be signed manually, email the document's link to a recipient, or redirect a user to the Zoho Sign document once the form is submitted.

         Simplified tracking
        You can keep track of signature status in real time, so you're always in the loop.