Pay only for the features you need – what to consider when choosing an e-signing service

Summary:
When choosing an e-signing service, focus on paying only for the features you need.
Security, ease of use and flexibility are essential — especially for SMEs looking to streamline agreement workflows.

Key considerations:

• Define your needs: Most companies need secure e-signing, document storage and easy search — not a heavy all-in-one system.
• Security first: Choose a service that supports strong authentication, not only drawn signatures.
• Ease of use: A simple interface and quick onboarding increase adoption and efficiency.
• Integrations: Check available integrations and the quality of API documentation.
• Scalability: Ensure the service offers packages and APIs that grow with your business.
• Transparent pricing: Avoid paying for unnecessary features or rigid user-based pricing models.

Why Visma Sign stands out:

• Designed for Nordic SMEs and organisations
• Strong authentication supported in all Nordic markets
• No hidden fees or setup costs
• Scales easily as your business grows
• Optional add-ons (web forms, contract management) without forcing an oversized package

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When selecting a service for e-signing and contract management, companies face a familiar challenge:
How do you choose a solution that meets your needs without paying for unnecessary extras?

The key is simple: invest in a service where you only pay for the features your business genuinely needs. Here are a few practical tips to help you avoid unnecessary costs.

Define your company’s needs carefully

Start by identifying what your business actually requires.
Is it worth investing in a full contract lifecycle management system with a wide range of advanced features?
In many cases, companies end up paying for deep, specialised capabilities they only need occasionally.

For most organisations, the essentials are:

• secure e-signing with strong authentication
• safe document storage
• easy document search and retrieval

With Visma Sign, you can start with these core features and, if needed, add tools like web forms or more advanced contract management step by step — without committing to an oversized system.

To clarify your needs, it helps to map out each stage of your agreement process and the people involved.
Remember to include archiving and easy document findability in this assessment.

Signing methods and security

Make sure the service you choose complies with eIDAS and meets security best practices. It is strongly recommended that your e-signing service supports strong authentication, for example via online banking credentials.

Many large global e-signature tools rely only on a drawn signature on a computer, tablet or phone. While legally valid, these signatures do not verify the signer’s identity with bank credentials or mobile certificates. Strong authentication provides certainty and protects all parties.

With Visma Sign, users can freely choose whether to use strong authentication, a simple drawn signature or a combination — whichever fits the situation.

For example, one signer may be in a country where strong authentication is unavailable. They can sign with a drawn signature, while others use strong authentication.

Ease of use

A user-friendly platform saves time and money from day one.
Simple onboarding makes it easier for employees to adopt the service and integrate it into their daily work.
An e-signing and contract management tool should make decision-making faster — not slow people down.

If users spend time trying to remember how features work, productivity suffers.

Integration possibilities

Integrations with existing systems — or the ability to build them — significantly impact operational efficiency.
Look at the provider’s current integrations and the quality of their API documentation.

A strong API enables you to integrate the e-signing service into systems like:

• HR solutions
• CRM
• ERP
• custom applications

Seamless integration ensures that your document processes become part of a larger, automated workflow.

Consider scalability

For growing companies, scalability is essential. Straightforward e-signing services like Visma Sign scale naturally with your business. Choose a solution that offers multiple package levels and robust API capabilities so the service can grow with you.

This helps you avoid the cost and disruption of switching platforms later.

Compare pricing structures

Understanding each provider’s pricing model is critical.
If the feature list includes many tools you don’t need — and you can’t downgrade easily — the service may not be the right fit.

Consider:

• Are there setup or onboarding costs?
• Do you pay per user?
• Do packages allow flexible numbers of users?
• Are there extra fees on top of the monthly price?

Visma Sign fits naturally into everyday SME operations

With Visma Sign, you get all essential features — e-signing, document storage and easy search — within minutes.
There are no hidden fees or setup costs. You pay only for what you actually use.

Its straightforward interface means you don’t need extensive training unless you want to deepen your expertise.

Terhi Tella is Senior Growth Marketing Specialist at Visma Sign. She’s inspired by content and communication that create real value, and always strives to see things from the customer’s perspective.