How to Send Your First Document for eSignature

In today’s digital world, printing, signing, scanning, and emailing documents feels outdated. Whether you are sending an offer letter, agreement, NDA, freelance contract, or client proposal, eSignature makes the entire process faster and more professional.

If you are sending your first document for eSignature and feeling unsure about the process, this detailed step-by-step guide will help you understand everything in simple English.

What is an eSignature?

An eSignature (Electronic Signature) is a digital way to sign documents online. Instead of printing and signing by hand, you sign electronically using your mouse, mobile device, or by typing your signature.

Some popular eSignature platforms include:

DocuSign
Adobe Sign
HelloSign
Zoho Sign

These tools are secure, widely accepted, and legally valid in many countries.

Why Should You Use eSignature?

Before learning the steps, let’s understand why eSignature is important:

Saves time
Eliminates printing and scanning
Speeds up approvals
Looks professional
Keeps documents organized
Allows real-time tracking

If you are a freelancer, HR professional, business owner, or startup founder, eSignature can improve your workflow significantly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Send Your First Document for eSignature

Now let’s go step by step.

Step 1: Choose an eSignature Platform

The first step is selecting a platform that fits your needs. Many tools offer free trials or basic plans.

For example:

DocuSign is widely used and beginner-friendly.
Adobe Sign works well with PDF documents.
Zoho Sign is suitable for small businesses.

Choose based on your budget, document volume, and required features.

Step 2: Create an Account

Visit the platform’s website and sign up.

You will typically need:

Email address
Password
Basic details

After registration, verify your email to activate your account.

Step 3: Upload Your Document

Once logged in, click on “New Document” or “Send for Signature.”

Upload your file. Most platforms support:

PDF
Word documents
Image files

You can usually drag and drop the file directly into the upload area.

Step 4: Add Recipient Details

Now enter the details of the person who needs to sign the document.

Provide:

Full name
Email address

If multiple people need to sign, you can define the signing order. For example:

First signer
Second signer
Final approver

This ensures the document moves in the correct sequence.

Step 5: Add Signature and Other Fields

After uploading, you will see a document editor.

Here you need to:

Drag and place the signature field
Add date field
Add name field if required
Insert text boxes if needed

Place these fields exactly where the signer needs to fill in details.

Take a moment to check alignment and placement before moving forward.

Step 6: Add a Message (Optional)

Most platforms allow you to include a short message before sending the document.

For example:

“Hi John,
Please review and sign this agreement. Let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you.”

Adding a message makes your communication clear and professional.

Step 7: Review Everything Carefully

Before clicking send, double-check:

Document content
Correct recipient email
Signature placement
Signing order

Reviewing prevents delays and errors.

Step 8: Send the Document

After confirming everything, click the “Send” button.

The recipient will receive an email with a secure link to review and sign the document.

What Happens After You Send the Document?

Here is what usually happens next:

The recipient opens the email.
Clicks on the document link.
Reviews the document.
Adds their signature.
Clicks “Finish” or “Complete.”

You will receive a notification once the document is signed.

Most platforms also provide:

Status tracking
Automatic reminders
Secure storage of signed documents

Is eSignature Legally Valid?

Yes, in many countries such as the United States, India, the United Kingdom, and European Union countries, eSignatures are legally recognized under digital transaction laws.

However, always verify local regulations for specific legal requirements, especially for high-value contracts.

Tips for First-Time Users

To ensure a smooth experience:

Use professional email addresses
Name your files clearly (Example: Employment_Agreement_2026.pdf)
Add expiry dates if needed
Enable automatic reminders
Keep document versions organized

These small practices improve professionalism and efficiency.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Sending to the wrong email address
Forgetting to add signature fields
Uploading the wrong document version
Skipping final review
Not setting signing order properly

Avoiding these mistakes will save time and prevent confusion.

Why Businesses Prefer eSignature

Today, businesses of all sizes use eSignature because it helps with:

Faster hiring processes
Quick contract approvals
Remote work management
Client onboarding
Paperless operations

It reduces operational costs and increases productivity.

Final Thoughts

Sending your first document for eSignature may seem technical at first, but the process is simple once you understand the steps.

To summarize:

Choose a platform
Upload the document
Add recipient details
Insert signature fields
Review carefully
Send