Adding an eSign API solution to your platform, website, or marketplace is a guaranteed method of improving sales, enhancing efficiency, and closing deals faster. As a business or individual, it gives you several features to track who signs your documents.
But to get the most out of any e-signature API, you have to follow the best practices for implementing and using the solution. This will streamline your business workflows and protect the data in the documents you share.
In this article, we’ll focus on the best practices for implementing an eSign API. By the end, you’ll understand how to create digital signatures in PDFs and other document formats.
Who can use eSign API?
An eSign API is an electronic signature solution that you can embed in your marketplace, website, or document management platform to make it easier for people to sign documents.
Apart from businesses, non-profits and individuals can implement this API into their workflows to improve efficiency.
Since the eSign API is compliant, it can be used in the following industries:
- Banking and finance
- Legal and compliance
- Retail and eCommerce
- Housing and real estate
- Arts and entertainment, etc.
Best Practices for Implementing eSign API
Here are some of the best practices to follow when adding an API solution for electronic signatures.
Choose the right API solution
The first step is to choose the proper eSign API solution for your business. This starts by evaluating your needs. Do you want an eSignature tool for a personal project or commercial purposes? Answering this question will help you understand the type of solution you need to acquire.
You also need to consider ease of use and pricing. Look at e-signature API solutions that meet your budgetary requirements. You can even opt for free tools if you need them for only a few documents. The main thing is to choose a tool that allows you to insert signatures in PDF files.
Use the correct authentication protocols
Security is a primary concern when implementing an eSign API. Users want to know that the tool will protect the sensitive information in their files when they upload it online. Besides, you want only authorized users to be able to access the platform.
That’s why you need authentication protocols such as Basic Auth, OAuth, and multi-factor authentication to beef up security. For commercial use, consider using access tokens and additional firewalls.
Consult engineers to understand the best implementation methods
Working with APIs can be tricky, especially if you lack a technical background. That’s why you need to consult engineers and developers to figure out the best implementation options.
If you want to embed the eSign API as a tool within your remote team, you need to reach out to engineers to understand how to configure callbacks, webhooks, and events to gain access to real-time, relevant data. They can also recommend additional security features.
Train users and staff to use the solution
Although the eSign API is easier to use than most solutions out there, you still need to educate your staff on how the features work. This involves showing them how to embed electronic signatures in PDF as well as other fillable fields.
Consider using explainer videos, illustrations, and hands-on walkthroughs to show your teams how the solution works. This will also give them the knowledge needed to guide clients through working with eSign API better.
Monitor API performance
Use testing and monitoring tools to track the usage and performance data for your eSignature API. This will help you understand failures and retries as well as the expected interval between each recovery attempt.
Staying up to date about performance will give you a faster reaction time to troubleshoot the solution or contact support before outages harm your business. You can consult the documentation for more information.
Create user-friendly signing workflows
The most important thing when implementing an eSign API is to create workflows that anybody within the organization can use without stress. By default, the API has an intuitive interface that simplifies signature loans online. But you can tweak the configurations to add or remove features according to your preferences.
How to use the eSign API for your documents
Now that we understand the best practices to follow when implementing an eSign API, let’s look at ways your business can use the solution for your documents.
Add or insert signatures
Lumin Sign’s API provides an intuitive, self-explanatory interface that allows users to insert signatures in PDF files from local devices as well as cloud storage platforms such as Dropbox and Google Drive. If you have signature files stored on your marketplace, you can also upload them directly from the source or use the drag-and-drop option.
The built-in canvas also makes it possible for users to draw signatures online. It also gives you the option to add multiple signatures to your repository and retrieve them for future contract negotiations.
Delete or remove signatures
Users need to understand how to delete digital signatures in a PDF in case they make mistakes and want to remove their signatures from a document. The process is simple: To remove the online PDF signature, click on the embedded signature and delete it.
Assign signatories
Lumin Sign’s API supports fillable fields, which you can embed in your documents. These fields can contain values such as names, phone numbers, and due dates.
The solution also provides an option to assign signature fields to people via email or direct invitation. This feature guarantees that only authorized users can insert electronic signatures in PDF files.
Besides, the eSign API assignment feature makes it possible to track any foul play if the wrong person signs instead of the person the field was initially assigned to.
Track user activity
The API allows you to track various events on the interface. For example, you can find out when someone creates a signature, declines to sign, approves the signature, views the document, or adds an invalid value to the fillable field.
In addition, you can obtain the user ID, email, and name—which is vital for identity verification and authentication for your online PDF signature.
Conclusion
Adopting best practices when implementing eSign API solutions will help you improve efficiency and guarantee security. You need to choose the right tool and the appropriate authentication and security protocols. It is also essential to choose an easy-to-use solution and train your staff on how to use it.
Whether you want to add an online signature PDF or remove one from your document, the eSign API has the solution for you.
