DocuSign
DocuSign replaces paper contracts with legally binding electronic signatures. Small businesses use it for vendor agreements, employee onboarding, client contracts, and lease renewals: saving time, paper, and trips to the printer.
Getting Started in 5 Steps
Create your DocuSign account
Sign up at docusign.com. The free trial lets you send a limited number of envelopes. For ongoing use, the Business Pro plan includes unlimited sending and advanced fields.
Upload your first document
Upload a contract, agreement, or form. DocuSign supports PDF, Word, and image files. The document stays private and encrypted.
Add signature and date fields
Drag signature, initial, date, and text fields onto the document where signers need to act. Assign each field to the correct recipient.
Send for signature
Enter recipient emails, add a personal message, and hit Send. Recipients get an email with a secure link: no DocuSign account needed to sign.
Track and manage signed documents
Monitor who has opened, viewed, and signed in real time. Download the completed PDF with an audit trail for your records.
Pro Tips for Small Business Owners
- Save frequently used documents as templates: employment agreements, vendor contracts, and client onboarding forms.
- Set automatic reminders so signers who forget get a gentle nudge after 3 and 7 days.
- Use bulk send to distribute the same document to dozens of recipients at once: perfect for seasonal staff agreements.
- Enable SMS delivery for urgent documents so signers get a text link in addition to email.