Every new project should start with a signed agreement. But the friction of e-signature tools — separate logins, per-document fees, clunky PDF uploads — means a lot of agencies skip the contract or chase a signature for days.
You don't need DocuSign to get a contract signed. Here's a simpler way that's just as legally sound for standard service agreements.
Are typed e-signatures legally binding?
In most jurisdictions — including under the U.S. ESIGN Act and UETA — an electronic signature is valid as long as the signer intended to sign and consented to do business electronically. A typed full name, captured with a timestamp and the signer's IP address, satisfies this for typical service agreements. (For high-stakes legal documents, always consult a lawyer.)
The problem with traditional e-signature tools
- Cost — most charge $15–40/mo, often with per-document limits
- Friction — your client gets bounced to a third-party site and sometimes asked to create an account
- Disconnected — the signed contract lives in a different system than your project and invoices
A better workflow: sign inside the client portal
With BuyerSuite, contracts live in the same place as your client's project updates, files, and invoices:
- Write the contract (or paste your standard agreement) and pick the client
- Click send — your client gets a clean link, no login required
- They review the terms and type their name to sign
- The signature is recorded with a timestamp and IP, and you're notified instantly
No separate tool, no per-document fee, and the signed agreement sits right next to the work it covers.
What to include in a simple service agreement
- Scope of work and deliverables
- Payment terms and amounts
- Timeline and milestones
- A clear acceptance clause
Contracts and e-signatures are built into BuyerSuite's Pro plan, alongside recurring invoices and white-label portals. Try BuyerSuite free →