Why online signing beats print-sign-scan
The old way of signing a contract, print it, sign it by hand, scan it, email it back, has quietly become a friction point that costs you deals. Every extra step is a chance for the client to put it off, and "I will print it later" is where signatures go to die. Many clients no longer even own a printer, so you are asking them to solve a small logistics problem before they can say yes.
Online signing removes all of it. The client opens the contract on their phone or laptop, reviews it, and signs with a click. What used to take days of back-and-forth takes minutes, and the experience feels modern and professional rather than like homework. Faster signatures mean faster starts, and a smoother first impression of how you work.
What to have ready before you send
A smooth signing starts with a contract that is genuinely ready. Before you send, make sure:
- The terms are final and reflect what you and the client agreed.
- The scope, price, and dates are clear and unambiguous.
- You know who needs to sign, and in what order if more than one person.
- The document is clean and easy to read on a small screen.
Sending a contract that still has open questions just creates another round of edits after signing, which defeats the speed you were after.
How to send a contract for online signature
The actual process is short and the same across most tools:
- Prepare the contract with clear, final terms.
- Add signature fields and any required details.
- Send it to the client for online signature.
- Let the client review and sign from any device.
- Get notified on completion and keep a copy for both sides.
- Store the signed contract on the client record.
The two steps people skip are the last two: capturing the notification so you know the moment it is signed, and storing the signed copy somewhere sensible instead of letting it sit in an inbox. Both take seconds and save you a headache later.
Are e-signatures valid?
For most everyday business agreements, electronic signatures are widely recognized. Laws such as the ESIGN Act in the United States and eIDAS in the European Union established the validity of electronic signatures for many kinds of documents, and online signing is standard practice across industries.
That said, this is general information, not legal advice. Rules vary by country and by document type, and certain high-stakes documents can have special requirements. For important or jurisdiction-specific contracts, it is worth confirming the details with a legal professional. For routine client agreements, though, e-signature is normal, accepted, and expected.
Keep the signed contract with the client
Getting the signature is only useful if you can find the contract again. The signed copy should live with the client it belongs to, on the same record as their proposal, projects, files, and invoices, so the whole agreement stays in context. A contract buried in an email thread or a generic downloads folder is the one you cannot find during a dispute or a renewal. Storing it on the client record means the answer to "what did we agree?" is always one click away.
A separate signing app, or signing built in
A standalone e-signature tool means one more app, one more login, and a signed PDF that lives away from the client. Arpixa sends and signs documents on the same record as the project.
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ArpixaAll of it, connectedTools that make it easier
You can use a standalone e-signature app, but it adds another tool and another place your contracts live. It is smoother when signing is built into the platform where your proposals and clients already are, so the contract goes out, comes back signed, and files itself against the client automatically.
Arpixa includes e-sign documents connected to your proposals and client records, so you can send a contract for online signature, get notified when it is signed, and keep the signed copy on the same client record as everything else. You can send scope and agreement together, and once signed, the work can flow straight into a project. For related reading, see handing off a proposal into a project.
Send contracts and get them signed in minutes
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Frequently asked questions
How do you send a contract and get it signed online?
Prepare the contract, send it to the client through an e-signature tool or a platform with built-in e-sign, and the client reviews and signs from any device with a click, no printing or scanning. You get notified when it is signed, and both sides keep a copy. Keeping the signed contract attached to the client record means it stays easy to find later.
Are electronic signatures legally binding?
In many countries, electronic signatures are widely recognized for most everyday business agreements, supported by laws such as the ESIGN Act in the United States and eIDAS in the European Union. That said, rules vary by country and by document type, and some high-stakes documents have special requirements. For important or jurisdiction-specific contracts, confirm with a legal professional.
What is the easiest way to get a contract signed?
Send it for online signature so the client can sign from their phone or laptop in seconds. The easier you make it, the faster it comes back. Sending the contract alongside the proposal, in the same place the client is already reviewing the work, removes friction and speeds up sign-off.
Do clients need to print and scan to sign?
No. That is exactly what online signing replaces. With e-signature, the client reviews the document on screen and signs digitally, with no printer, scanner, or paper involved. Asking a client to print, sign, and scan in this day and age feels dated and adds friction that slows everything down.
Where should signed contracts be stored?
Store the signed contract with the client it belongs to, ideally on the same client record as their projects, files, and invoices, so you can find it instantly. Contracts scattered in email or a downloads folder are the ones that go missing exactly when you need them. Keeping them on the client record keeps the whole agreement in context.
Can I send a proposal and contract together?
Yes, and it is often the smoothest approach. When the proposal and contract live in the same place, the client can review the scope and sign the agreement in one flow, rather than bouncing between a proposal tool and a separate signing app. It shortens the path from yes to signed.