If you’re in sales, you know the pain: you send a proposal or contract and then…crickets. Did they open it? Did they share it with the team? Or did it just rot in someone’s inbox? If you’re using Getaccept, you actually have tools to see what’s happening with your documents. But not every feature is as useful as it sounds, and some “engagement” data can be more noise than signal. Here’s how to cut through the fluff and use Getaccept to honestly track who’s opening your docs, what they’re really doing, and what’s worth your time.
Step 1: Understand What Getaccept Tracks (And What It Can’t)
Before you jump in, know what’s actually possible:
What you CAN reliably track: - When a recipient first opens your document - How many times it’s been viewed - Which pages are getting attention (and for how long) - If the doc’s been forwarded or opened by others - When someone interacts (comments, signs, downloads, etc.)
What you CAN’T really know: - If they actually read the doc (staring at a page ≠ reading) - Who’s in the room during a group review (unless they interact) - If they printed it out and shared it old-school
Pro tip: Don’t obsess over every metric. The basics—opens, time spent, shares—are usually all you need to keep deals moving.
Step 2: Set Up Your Document for Tracking
Getaccept gives you tracking by default, but you’ll get better results if you set things up right from the start.
2.1. Use Unique Links for Each Recipient
When sending a document, always assign it to a specific recipient (with their email). This way, you’ll see exactly who opens what—not just that “someone” did.
- How: In Getaccept, add your recipient’s details before sending. Avoid generic “view link” sharing unless you’re okay with anonymous stats.
2.2. Avoid Sending PDFs as Attachments
It’s tempting to just email a PDF, but you’ll lose all tracking. Always send documents through Getaccept’s platform so every open and click is logged.
- What to ignore: Any requests to “just send the file as an attachment.” Push back, politely. You’re not being difficult—you're making your own job easier.
2.3. Enable Page Analytics
Getaccept can show you which pages people linger on. This is gold if you want to know what’s actually interesting (or confusing) to your prospect.
- How: Most templates have this on by default. Double check under “Document Settings” before sending.
Step 3: Track Opens and Views in Real Time
Once your doc is out, here’s how you monitor what’s happening:
3.1. Use the Document Timeline
Each sent doc in Getaccept has a timeline showing every action—opens, downloads, comments, etc.
- How: Go to the document in your Getaccept dashboard. The timeline is usually on the right or bottom (depends on your view).
3.2. Set Up Notifications (But Don’t Overdo It)
You can get an alert every time someone opens or acts on your doc. This is great—until your phone blows up with every page turn.
- How: In your profile/settings, choose which notifications you want (email, SMS, app push).
- What works: Alerts for first opens, signatures, or comments.
- What doesn’t: Getting pinged every single time someone glances at page 4. Turn those off unless you love distractions.
3.3. Watch for Shares and Forwards
If your doc is forwarded, Getaccept tries to log new viewers (based on device, IP, or email if they interact). It’s not perfect, but you’ll usually see when “someone new” opens it.
- What to watch: If you see a “New viewer,” that’s a sign your doc is making the rounds. Good for multi-stakeholder deals. Bad if you’re worried about leaks—so adjust accordingly.
Step 4: Make Sense of Engagement Metrics
Not all “engagement” is created equal.
4.1. Opens vs. Real Interest
Just because someone opened your doc doesn’t mean they’re ready to talk. But…
- Multiple opens over several days? That’s real interest or internal discussion.
- One quick open, never again? That’s a red flag. Follow up, but don’t chase ghosts.
4.2. Page-by-Page Analytics
If you’re sending a big proposal or contract, see which pages they focus on.
- Long time on pricing or terms? Expect questions—prep your answers.
- Skipping pages entirely? Maybe those sections are fluff, or not relevant. Consider trimming next time.
Pro tip: Don’t read too much into one person’s behavior. Patterns over several deals are more telling.
4.3. Comments and Interactions
If someone leaves a comment or question in Getaccept, that’s gold. - Always reply quickly. This is peak engagement. - Don’t let technical questions sit—loop in your team if needed.
Step 5: Use Engagement Data to Prioritize (Not Paralyze) Your Follow-ups
The real value in tracking is knowing when and how to follow up—without creeping out your prospect.
5.1. Timing Your Outreach
If you see a doc was opened today (or several times this week), that’s a good trigger to reach out. Reference the activity, but don’t get weirdly specific (“I see you spent 7 minutes on page 3…” is too much).
- What works: “Just checking in—let me know if you have any questions about the proposal we sent over.”
- What to avoid: Overanalyzing every view. Focus on moving the deal forward.
5.2. Spotting Bottlenecks
If your doc gets opened and then nothing happens, check which pages stalled them. Maybe legal or finance is hung up on something.
- How to use this: Ask targeted questions: “Anything in the contract terms you’d like to discuss?” Instead of a generic “Did you have a chance to review?”
5.3. Don’t Let “Engagement” Become a Crutch
It’s easy to get addicted to metrics and forget to actually sell. Engagement tracking is a tool, not a replacement for conversations.
- Use data to guide, not to obsess.
- If someone goes cold, a quick check-in is still your best move—not waiting for another view to magically appear.
Step 6: What to Ignore (Most of the Time)
Not every “feature” is worth your time. Here’s what you can skip:
- Advanced heatmaps: Fun for a demo. Rarely actionable in real life.
- Device/browser tracking: Unless you’re in security or legal, nobody cares if they used Chrome on a Mac.
- Open location: IP-based “location” is flaky. Don’t read into it.
Stick to the basics: opens, time spent, shares, and comments.
Step 7: Integrate With Your CRM (If You Need To)
If you’re using Salesforce, HubSpot, or another CRM, Getaccept can push activity data straight into your deal records.
- What works: Automatic logging of opens, signatures, and comments—less manual work for you.
- What doesn’t: Expect some hiccups in the integration. Don’t assume every view will sync perfectly.
- How to set up: Check Getaccept’s integrations section and follow the step-by-step guide for your CRM.
If you’re a small team, this might be overkill. Start simple.
Keeping It Simple: The Bottom Line
Don’t get lost in the weeds. Track the basics, use the insights to time your follow-ups, and skip the features that just look good in a demo. Start with what matters—opens, time spent, and comments—and adjust as you go. The best sales teams aren’t the ones with the fanciest dashboards; they’re the ones who use their tools to actually move deals forward.
Keep it simple, keep it honest, and iterate as you learn what works for your team.