If you’re still chasing down wet signatures or playing “find the PDF,” you’re probably losing deals—or at least wasting hours you’ll never get back. This guide’s for sales teams, account managers, and anyone who needs a signed contract yesterday. We’ll cut through the fluff and show you how to use e-signatures in Clientpoint to actually get deals closed faster, not just talk about it.
Why e-signatures? (And why Clientpoint?)
Let’s be real: e-signatures aren’t magic. They don’t close deals by themselves. But they do slash the time between “we’re ready” and “it’s official.” No printing, no scanning, no “I’ll sign it when I’m back in the office.” Just a couple of clicks and done.
Clientpoint’s built-in e-signature tools are solid for one reason—they’re baked into the sales document workflow. You don’t have to juggle DocuSign tabs or copy-paste the same contract into six tools. Everything lives in one place, and your prospects don’t need any special accounts or apps.
But no tool is perfect. More on that later.
Step 1: Prepare Your Sales Document in Clientpoint
Before you get a signature, you need something worth signing. Here’s how to get set up:
- Start with a template: Don’t reinvent the wheel. Use your team’s standard proposal or contract template in Clientpoint. If you’re starting from scratch, upload your own doc (PDF, Word, whatever) and save it as a template for next time.
- Fill in the details: Make sure all the blanks are filled—client name, pricing, scope, dates, etc. Typos and missing fields are deal speedbumps.
- Double-check for errors: Nothing slows down a deal like a client spotting a mistake after you’ve sent it for signature.
Pro tip: If this is a complex document with multiple signers, map out who needs to sign where. Saves headaches later.
Step 2: Add Signature Fields
Clientpoint lets you drop signature fields right onto your document. Here’s how to not screw it up:
- Drag and drop: Use the built-in editor to place signature, date, and initials boxes exactly where you want them.
- Assign signers: Each field needs an owner. Assign every signature or initial box to the correct person—your client, your boss, whoever.
- Set the signing order: If the deal needs to go through a chain (say, your manager first, then the client), specify the order. Otherwise, people can sign in any sequence.
What to ignore: Don’t overcomplicate with a dozen unnecessary fields. Only ask for what you need. Every extra step is another chance for someone to stall.
Step 3: Send for Signature
Here’s where you actually send the document out for e-signature:
- Click “Send for Signature”: Sounds obvious, but double-check you’ve got the right email addresses. Typos mean lost days.
- Personalize the message: Write a quick, clear note in the email—“Hi Sam, here’s the contract we discussed. Let me know if you have any questions.” People are more likely to sign when they know what’s coming.
- Set reminders: Clientpoint can nudge people automatically if they forget to sign. Use it, but don’t spam—nobody likes a nag.
Watch out for: Overly aggressive reminders. If your client gets three emails a day, you’ll end up in the spam folder—or worse, the “annoying vendor” box.
Step 4: Track Progress (and Actually Follow Up)
Just because you sent it doesn’t mean it’ll get signed. Here’s how to keep things moving:
- Live status updates: In Clientpoint, you can see who’s opened, viewed, or signed the document. Use this info to time your follow-ups.
- Manual follow-up: If someone’s viewed but hasn’t signed after a day or two, pick up the phone or send a short, polite email. Don’t just rely on automated reminders.
- Audit trail: Every action is logged. If there’s ever a dispute, you’ve got proof of who did what, when.
Reality check: Some deals stall for reasons no tool can fix—internal politics, budget cuts, “decision by committee.” E-signatures can’t solve that, but at least you’ll know where things stand.
Step 5: Get Notified and Store Signed Docs
When the last signature lands, Clientpoint will notify you automatically. Here’s what to do next:
- Download and store: Save a PDF copy for your records (even though Clientpoint stores it, too). Don’t rely 100% on any single system.
- Share with your team: If someone else needs the signed doc—legal, finance, whoever—send it right away.
- Archive and move on: Mark the deal as closed and keep your files organized. You’ll thank yourself later.
Pro tip: Set up a simple folder structure—by client, by year, whatever works. Future you will appreciate it.
What Works, What Doesn’t, and What to Ignore
What works: - Speed: E-signatures in Clientpoint genuinely cut turnaround time, especially if your clients are used to digital workflows. - Simplicity: Everything in one place means fewer mistakes and lost docs. - Visibility: You can see exactly where deals get stuck.
What doesn’t: - Offline clients: If your client is old-school and insists on printing and signing, e-signatures won’t magically fix that. - Complex approvals: If your process involves legal reviews, finance checks, or board approvals, e-signatures help, but they won’t eliminate delays.
What to ignore: - Over-customizing: Fancy layouts, tons of optional fields, or heavy branding don’t close deals faster. Focus on clarity. - Chasing every signature instantly: If someone’s on vacation, no tool’s going to make them sign from the beach.
Common Pitfalls (And How to Dodge Them)
- Wrong signer info: Double-check emails and signing roles before sending. One typo can mean a week of chasing.
- Missing documents: Attach everything the client needs—terms, appendices, whatever. “Can you resend?” is a time-waster.
- Legal compliance: E-signatures are legally binding in most places, but if you’re in a regulated industry or selling across borders, ask legal to review your template once.
Quick FAQs
Are e-signatures in Clientpoint legally binding?
Generally, yes—if you’re in the US, UK, EU, or most developed countries. But check with your legal team if you’re unsure.
Do clients need a Clientpoint account to sign?
Nope. They just click the link, review, and sign in their browser.
Can I use another e-signature tool with Clientpoint?
You could, but it’s extra work. Unless your company has a specific reason (compliance, integrations), stick with what’s built in.
Keep It Simple (And Iterate)
Getting deals signed shouldn’t be a headache. Clientpoint’s e-signature tools streamline the process, but only if you keep your docs clear, your fields minimal, and your follow-ups human. Don’t get hung up on bells and whistles. Start simple, see what slows you down, and tweak as you go. You’ll close deals faster—and spend less time chasing paperwork.