Make Your Signature Electronic With signNow
Award-winning eSignature solution
What it means to make your signature electronic
To make your signature electronic means signing a record with a digital method instead of pen and paper. In signNow, a document is uploaded or created, sent to a signer, and completed through a browser or mobile device. The platform records signer identity, time stamps, document activity, and the final signed file. That creates an electronic signature workflow that is easier to track than paper, while keeping the signing process tied to a specific document and signer intent.
Why electronic signatures matter
Making your signature electronic reduces paper handling, shortens turnaround time, and supports remote approvals. Under ESIGN and UETA, an electronic signature can be enforceable when the signer intends to sign and the record is retained properly.
Common challenges with electronic signatures
Signers may abandon the process if the document is hard to open, read, or complete on mobile. Weak identity checks can make it harder to show who signed and whether the signature was authorized. Missing audit details can create disputes about timing, document version, or signer intent. Poor retention practices can leave teams without the signed record when they need it later.
Who uses electronic signatures
Real estate
Real estate teams use electronic signatures for leases, disclosures, and rental applications that need fast turnaround.
Healthcare
Healthcare organizations use them for intake forms, consent documents, and HIPAA-covered records with controlled access.
People who benefit most
A director of NetSuite operations at Xerox uses signNow to route documents through connected business systems and keep signature requests aligned with internal approvals. The workflow matters when the right signer, format, and record need to match the transaction without manual rework. A founder at Martin Properties uses signNow to execute lease and property documents online, including mobile signing and offline access. That setup helps real estate teams move rental and closing paperwork faster while keeping a clear record of who signed and when.
Best ROI. Our customers achieve an average 7x ROI within the first six months.
Scales with your use cases. From SMBs to mid-market, airSlate SignNow delivers results for businesses of all sizes.
Intuitive UI and API. Sign and send documents from your apps in minutes.
Core features for electronic signatures
signNow combines signing, tracking, and recordkeeping tools that help teams manage electronic signatures with less manual handling.
Document routing
Upload or create a document, then send it for signature with a clear signing order and tracked completion status.
Mobile signing
Collect signatures on desktop or mobile while keeping the same document version and signer history in one place.
Reusable templates
Use templates for repeat agreements, forms, and approvals so teams do not rebuild the same workflow each time.
Audit trail
Track each action in an audit trail that records who signed, when they signed, and what changed.
Unlimited users
Support team-wide use with unlimited users on paid plans, which helps larger groups avoid per-seat friction.
Record storage
Keep signed records organized for later review, export, or internal retention without relying on paper files.
How the signing flow works
The signing process follows a simple sequence from document preparation to completed record storage.
Prepare: Upload a document or start from a template. Set routing: Add signers, fields, and signing order. Deliver: Send the document for electronic signature. Complete: Store the completed file with its audit trail.
Quick steps to get started
Use a short setup sequence to prepare a document and send it for signature.
Upload:
Upload the document you want signed. Add signer:
Add the signer’s name and email. Add fields:
Place signature and form fields. Send:
Send the request and monitor status.
Recommended workflow settings
A practical setup balances signer convenience, record integrity, and retention needs for U.S. business and regulated workflows.
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Authentication method | SMS OTP |
| Signature type | SES |
| Audit trail | Enable full event log |
| Document retention | 6 years for HIPAA records |
| Encryption | TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256 |
Platform and device requirements
signNow works in modern browsers and on mobile devices, so users can sign from office desktops, laptops, tablets, or phones.
Desktop browsers Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari Operating systems Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android Mobile access signNow mobile apps available
For regulated or enterprise deployments, managed devices, SSO, and controlled browser settings can help standardize access. Keep browsers updated, use supported operating systems, and confirm mobile app policies before rollout.
Security and compliance
Encryption:
Data protection:
Independent review:
Security management:
Healthcare use:
Legal framework:
Real-world examples
These examples show how signNow fits operational and compliance needs in different business settings.
Enterprise operations
A Xerox operations leader needed flexible routing across systems and document formats.
- NetSuite-connected workflows
- Right signatures on right documents
The result was faster routing, fewer format mismatches, and a cleaner path from request to completed record across internal and external approvals.
Real estate
A Martin Properties founder needed online execution for property paperwork without losing compliance control.
- Mobile and offline signing
- 100% compliance and built-in security
The workflow supported remote execution, preserved signing evidence, and reduced paper handling for lease and property documents across mobile and office use.
Best practices for electronic signatures
A few setup choices can improve signer experience, record quality, and long-term defensibility.
Match routing to document type
Keep forms concise
Preserve signing evidence
Define retention in advance
FAQ and troubleshooting
These answers focus on plan limits, compliance needs, and signNow features that affect electronic signature workflows.
signNow Business includes legally binding eSignatures, audit trails, templates, and mobile apps. If you need HIPAA support, confirm a BAA and use the right account settings for PHI handling.
signNow Business Premium adds bulk send. If your team needs high-volume distribution, that plan is the relevant starting point, while Enterprise adds advanced signer authentication and formula fields.
HIPAA use requires a BAA and controls for access, integrity, and audit logging. signNow’s compliance posture supports HIPAA workflows, but the covered entity still needs proper configuration and policies.
ESIGN and UETA support electronic signatures when the signer intends to sign and the record is retained. signNow’s audit trail helps show attribution, timing, and document integrity.
If a signer cannot open the document on mobile, check browser support, app access, and file format. signNow supports Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, iOS, and Android.
The Site License adds SSO, full API access, and phone support. If your deployment needs centralized identity or system integration, that plan is the relevant option.
Vendor comparison
The table below compares widely used eSignature vendors on a few practical workflow and compliance points.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audit trail | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Envelope cap | No cap | 100/user/year | Not verified |
| Starting price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo |
Rollout and retention timeline
Adoption timing and retention rules can be planned together so rollout and recordkeeping stay aligned.
Day 0:
Day 1:
Week 1:
7-day trial:
HIPAA retention:
ESIGN consent:
Enterprise rollout:
Record review:
Risks of poor implementation
Weak attribution
Missing audit trail
No BAA
Poor consent capture
What happens inside the audit trail
The audit trail captures technical evidence that supports attribution, integrity, and later review of the signed record.
Signer authentication:
Timestamp capture:
Document hashing:
Tamper-evident sealing:
Audit log storage:
Audit-trail export:
Pricing and plan snapshot
Pricing and feature availability vary by vendor and plan, so the table below keeps the comparison focused on verified entry-level details.
| 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-day trial | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified |
| Bulk send | Business Premium | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | 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.