How eSign APIs build trust

Long gone are the days when eSignatures were considered cutting-edge technology. Now they’re expected as part of any modern business, and are a key value-add for companies hoping to scale their product to new customers.

Companies need to be able to grow, find new customers quickly and keep them; one way to do this is investing in an eSign API.

API stands for Application Programming Interface. It refers to a set of online programs and protocols that businesses can integrate into their tech stack. APIs you might know include Stripe’s range of payment APIs or social media integrations like the Hootsuite API.

They integrate into your product’s backend to improve work from behind the scenes.

A bank may need an eSign API to make it more convenient for their customers to sign basic financial documents or approve transactions. A larger corporation might request an internal API for employee management and HR-related tasks. 

They’re commonly used in sales to close deals, in financial services to quickly facilitate agreements, in real estate to make paperwork more efficient and in law to sign important legally binding documents.

In cases where eSignatures are frequently used – such as companies with regular vendors or clients – a high-quality eSignature API is a core tool for solidifying the relationship and ensuring a positive business experience. 

APIs help strengthen the internal processes of a company, improve digital security and dramatically improve efficiency, all of which go a long way to improving brand trust and loyalty.

Can I build my own eSignature API?

The simple answer is “yes”, but the more accurate response is “do you really want to?”. eSignatures need to meet international legal standards, require robust security and be simple to use. It’s not just a development minefield; it’s a legal one, too.

Building an eSignature API internally would require months or even years of expensive work. Why build when you can buy?

A useful API can be found with just a few minutes of basic Googling. These products are built by a team of developers whose job is to ensure the API is efficient, free of bugs and secure. They often include a sandbox that allows your own developers to play around and get to know the environment before you purchase the API.

Because of the complicated engineering and the sheer amount of hours required, purchasing an API from a third party is usually more affordable than trying to build it internally. These engineers have already spent years working out the kinks and killing bugs, so there is no need for a company to waste time and resources doing that itself.

The API provider will usually guide a company step-by-step through the integration process, so hugely technical know-how isn’t always required. 

No matter how long the process is, it’s always guided by specialist experts who are there to help fix any problems along the way.

eSign APIs: your brand's best friend

The most obvious benefit of an eSign API is that it gets deals across the finish line.

A high-quality eSignature API will allow the product to be integrated into the company’s website, meaning the customer can often complete the entire process themselves. This allows them to agree to deals on their own time, while freeing up employees for other tasks. 

APIs can also allow a company to include its branding in the process, providing one final avenue for a company to remind its customers of its value.

Imagine getting 75% through a partnership process only to spook the potential client with complicated paperwork that takes them off-site and asks them to trust a third party they’ve never heard of.

Improved security and compliance

A good eSignature API will provide modern, robust security and industry-standard compliances without compromises.

Security protocols can take various forms, but they commonly utilize two-factor authentication to ensure that the signatory is a real person intending to sign the document. This second level of security helps clients feel more comfortable that their information will be protected.

eSignatures that grow with your company

Crucially, eSign API providers must be able to scale with a company’s growth. As clients grow in number, so do signatures; an API is better equipped to handle the increased workload. 

Scaling can be stressful for any business. Choosing the right eSignature API can make at least one area of the process much easier to handle. 

Look for an API that offers dedicated customer success managers and specialist support teams. These providers won’t disappear after the API’s been set up. They’ll stick around to pre-empt any future challenges you face, and adjust the product according to your changing needs.

Don’t make an eSignatures another headache along the high-growth highway. Whether it’s ease of use, security or scaling, an eSign API will help a company on its journey to success.