How to Have Clients Sign Contracts Electronically With signNow
Award-winning eSignature solution
What electronic contract signing means
Electronic contract signing is the process of sending a contract to clients, collecting their electronic signature, and storing the signed record with a verifiable history. In practice, the sender uploads or creates the document, places signature fields, and invites the client by email or link. The client reviews the contract, signs on a phone or computer, and the system records the action, time, and document version. signNow supports this workflow with templates, reminders, audit trails, and mobile signing for U.S. business use.
Why electronic signatures matter
They reduce printing, mailing, and follow-up delays while creating records that are generally enforceable under ESIGN and UETA when consent, intent, and attribution are captured.
Frequent signing workflow issues
Clients may delay signing when the document is hard to open on mobile devices or requires too many steps. Weak signer verification can make it harder to show who actually signed the contract later. Missing audit details can create disputes about timing, document version, or signer intent. Poor workflow setup can send the wrong contract version or leave required fields incomplete.
Who uses electronic contract signing
Real estate
Real estate teams use electronic signing for leases, rental applications, and closing documents.
Regulated industries
Healthcare, finance, legal, education, and insurance teams use it for consent forms, approvals, and agreements.
People who benefit most
A director of NetSuite operations at a distribution company uses signNow to route the right contract to the right signer in the right format. Xerox’s Kodi-Marie Evans described that flexibility as useful for NetSuite-based workflows that need accurate signature routing and fewer manual handoffs. A founder in real estate uses signNow to execute leases and related forms online, including mobile signing when parties are off-site. Martin Properties’ Tim Martin said the workflow helped him process documents with built-in security and 100% compliance in his own operations.
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Core features for contract signing
signNow supports a practical signing workflow with controls that help teams send contracts, collect signatures, and keep records organized.
Templates
Templates keep recurring contracts consistent, so teams can send the same agreement structure without rebuilding fields each time.
Mobile signing
Mobile signing lets clients review and sign on phones, which helps reduce delays when they are away from a desk.
Audit trail
Audit trails record signer actions, timestamps, and document history, which supports internal review and later dispute handling.
Reminders
Reminders and notifications help keep unsigned contracts visible, so follow-up does not depend on manual tracking.
Routing
Role-based routing sends each document to the right signer in order, which matters for approvals and multi-party contracts.
Unlimited users
Unlimited users on paid plans let teams add reviewers, senders, and approvers without extra per-seat friction.
How the signing flow works
The workflow follows a simple sequence from document preparation to signed record storage, with each step tracked for later review.
Prepare document: Upload or create the contract and place signature fields. Send request: Send the request to the client by email or link. Client signs: The client reviews, signs, and completes any required fields. Store record: signNow stores the signed file and audit trail for review.
Quick setup steps
Use a short setup sequence to prepare the document, direct it to the right people, and confirm completion.
Upload file:
Upload the contract and add required fields. Set recipients:
Assign signer roles and signing order. Send contract:
Send the document for signature. Review status:
Track completion and download the signed copy.
Recommended workflow settings
Use settings that support attribution, record integrity, and retention requirements for U.S. contract workflows.
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Authentication method | SMS OTP for higher assurance |
| Signature type | SES for routine contracts |
| Audit trail | Enable full event logging |
| Document retention | 6 years for HIPAA records |
| Encryption | TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256 |
Browser and device support
Clients can sign on desktop or mobile using supported browsers and operating systems, with secure transport and app-based signing options.
Desktop browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge supported. Operating systems Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android supported. Mobile apps signNow mobile apps available for iOS and Android.
For managed deployments, confirm device policies, browser updates, and access controls before rollout. Regulated teams should also review authentication, retention, and export needs for HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11, or internal recordkeeping rules.
Security and compliance controls
Transport security:
Data at rest:
SOC 2 Type II:
ISO 27001:
HIPAA:
Legal framework:
Real-world signing examples
Customer stories show how different teams use electronic signing to reduce delays, improve routing, and keep records organized.
Distribution operations
A distribution company needed faster customer agreements across internal systems and external clients.
- Tech Data used signNow to improve speed to revenue.
Bob Dutkowsky said signNow improved internal and external customer service while increasing speed to revenue, which fits contract workflows that need faster turnaround without losing control over document handling.
Real estate founder
A property founder needed to execute documents online with security and mobile access.
- Martin Properties processed forms online with built-in security.
Tim Martin reported 100% compliance and efficient returns from mobile and offline-friendly workflows, showing how electronic signing can support real estate documents that move between office and field use.
Practical signing best practices
A disciplined setup reduces signing errors, supports attribution, and makes the final record easier to defend if questions arise later.
Define signing order
Prepare complete fields
Monitor pending signatures
Set appropriate verification
FAQ and troubleshooting
These answers cover plan limits, compliance questions, mobile access, identity checks, and audit record retrieval for U.S. signing workflows.
signNow Business starts at $8/user/mo billed annually. It includes legally binding eSignatures, audit trails, templates, mobile apps, ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR support.
signNow supports ESIGN and UETA compliant workflows. For healthcare records, HIPAA use requires a BAA, and signed documents should be retained for 6 years under 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).
If a signer cannot complete the document on mobile, confirm browser support in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge, or use the signNow iOS or Android app.
For stronger identity proof, use SMS OTP or advanced signer authentication where available. Higher-risk workflows may need stronger evidence than email-only access.
If the audit record is missing, check that audit trail logging is enabled and that the completed PDF was downloaded from the signed document record, not a draft copy.
For regulated records, use the plan and controls that fit the rule set. signNow supports HIPAA workflows with a BAA, and 21 CFR Part 11 controls include timestamps, access controls, and history retention.
Vendor comparison at a glance
The table compares core signing capabilities across leading vendors using verified baseline data and current pricing references.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESIGN and UETA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audit trail | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo |
| Envelope cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/year | Not verified |
Rollout and retention timeline
This timeline combines rollout milestones with retention and policy facts that matter for contract records and regulated documents.
Day 0:
Day 1:
Week 1:
HIPAA retention:
21 CFR Part 11:
ESIGN consent:
Trial period:
Post-launch:
Risks of poor setup
Weak attribution
Missing audit trail
No BAA
Short retention
No consent record
What the audit trail records
The audit trail captures identity, timing, document integrity, and retrieval details that support later review or dispute resolution.
Authenticate signer:
Timestamp events:
Create document hash:
Seal record:
Preserve audit trail:
Export history:
Pricing and plan features
The pricing table uses verified entry-tier data and plan notes, with HelloSign treated as Dropbox Sign.
| Plan / Feature | signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo | |
| Free trial | 7 days | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | |
| Bulk send | Yes, Business Premium | Not verified | Not verified | Yes | Not verified | |
| Audit trail | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | |
| HIPAA compliance | BAA required | Available | Available | Not verified | Not verified |
Key performance indicators that demonstrate SignNow's proven track record.