E-signatures have many benefits, such as higher security. But what’s the best way to implement an API for using e-signatures: buying an API or building one?
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Is it worth coding your own e-signature API, or is purchasing a ready-made solution a better option? Electronic signatures have become a popular way to verify one’s identity without signing printed forms. They have many benefits over written signatures, such as higher security.
What’s the best way to implement an API for using e-signatures: buying an API or building one?
Electronic signatures or e-signatures have become popular over recent years as more processes go paperless. According to TechTarget, e-signatures are even legally binding in the U.S. and many other countries.
There are many situations where it would be convenient to sign something without doing so on physical paper. For example, when filing your taxes virtually, you can use an electronic signature instead of printing paper documents. This allows you to complete your entire return digitally. Another increasingly popular use for e-signatures is in remote work, where employees can sign contracts and work-related documents without being in the office.
Convenience isn’t the only benefit of e-signatures—they also add an extra layer of security to signed documents that written signatures can’t offer. Some types use a PIN or secondary certification method to verify that the signer is who they say they are. This would be the equivalent of hiring a notary or showing a valid ID when signing something in person. The difference is that extra layer of security is less expensive to execute than paying for a notary.
E-signatures can create a better experience for your team, customers, and yourself. Where do you start, though? There are plenty of web-based e-signature tools available today, but these often lack the flexibility businesses need.
A more effective solution is an e-signature API, which can be embedded into websites and connected to different software programs, such as a business’s employee portal app. There are two main ways to obtain one.
There are pros and cons to both options.
Building a custom API in-house is the best option for many users and teams, although this is certainly not for everyone. Suppose you or a team member already have coding experience with modern programming languages, such as Python or Java.
