- July 16, 2025
- FOXITBLOG
The Modern Business Contract Is Online – And That Changes Everything
If you’re still emailing static Word docs back and forth, waiting for someone to print, sign, scan, and send them back, you’re stuck in a workflow that’s costing your business time and money. The reality is, the traditional way of handling contracts no longer works for modern teams. The shift toward online contracts isn’t just a tech trend – it’s a smarter, faster, and more secure way to manage agreements.
From small businesses to enterprise teams, online contracts are helping professionals close deals faster, stay compliant, and remove the bottlenecks that come with paper-based or semi-digital processes. In this guide, we’ll unpack what online contracts are, how to create them, and why Foxit eSign is uniquely built to simplify every step.
What Are Online Contracts?
An online contract is a legally binding agreement that is created, sent, signed, and stored digitally. Unlike traditional paper contracts, which require physical signatures and often result in version control chaos, online contracts streamline the entire lifecycle of an agreement. Once a document is uploaded to an e-signature platform, the entire process, from adding form fields to sending for signature and receiving the finalized copy, happens in the cloud.
Legally, online contracts hold the same weight as their paper counterparts. Thanks to legislation like the ESIGN Act and UETA in the U.S., and eIDAS in the EU, digitally signed contracts are enforceable as long as both parties consent and proper authentication is in place. These contracts are now used across virtually every industry, for everything from employment agreements and service contracts to NDAs and client onboarding documents.
How to Create and Use Online Contracts
Getting started with online contracts doesn’t require legal expertise or complicated software. The process is surprisingly straightforward, especially when you’re using a platform designed to reduce complexity.
It starts with drafting your contract in a clear, concise format. PDF is the most common file type, as it’s secure, stable, and compatible with most systems. Once the contract is written, you upload it into a platform like Foxit eSign. There, you can quickly add the necessary form fields, such as signatures, dates, initials, and any custom text inputs required. If multiple signers are involved, Foxit eSign allows you to define the signing order and roles.
Once the document is prepared, it’s sent out via email. The recipient clicks a secure link, signs from any device, and the system automatically returns the completed document to all parties. From there, it’s securely stored in the cloud with a full audit trail to verify authenticity and compliance.
No printing. No scanning. No confusion over which version is final. Just a clean, traceable, and fast signing process.
Benefits of Using Online Contracts
Online contracts offer more than just convenience as they reshape how teams work, collaborate, and reduce risk. One of the most immediate benefits is speed. Deals and agreements that once took days can now be signed within hours, or even minutes, accelerating sales cycles and project starts. For HR teams, new hires can receive and sign offer letters in the same day they’re sent. For legal departments, approval workflows move smoothly without manual routing.
Another major advantage is document traceability. With every signature captured, time-stamped, and stored with a full audit trail, it’s easy to prove compliance or settle disputes. You’ll also never lose another contract to an overflowing inbox or untracked download because everything lives in one secure, searchable place.
Cost savings are also a major factor. Online contracts eliminate printing and shipping expenses, reduce administrative labor, and minimize errors from manual data entry. And of course, there’s the environmental impact – less paper means a lighter footprint for your business.
Online Contracts Made Easy with Foxit eSign
Foxit eSign is designed to make the entire online contract process not just possible, but seamless. It starts with an easy drag-and-drop interface that lets you upload your document, add fields, and send for signature within minutes. There’s no technical complexity or long learning curve. Just an intuitive flow that fits neatly into your existing processes.
The platform also gives users visibility into the status of each contract. Need to know if your client opened the agreement? You can see that. Wondering if a key stakeholder forgot to sign? Set up reminders. With Foxit eSign, your contract management becomes proactive instead of reactive.
All signed documents are stored securely in the cloud, with encryption and compliance built into every layer. Whether you’re handling NDAs, client service agreements, or HR onboarding packets, Foxit ensures that every online contract is legally enforceable and audit-ready.
Going Beyond with Online Forms
For businesses with high-volume or recurring workflows, like intake forms, registration agreements, or recurring client contracts, Foxit eSign’s Online Forms feature offers even more efficiency. This feature allows you to embed contract templates directly into your website, customer portal, or app. When a user fills it out, their information is automatically captured, and a signature request is generated.
This is a game-changer for industries like legal, healthcare, finance, and education, where standardized forms are used frequently. You can create a single form, publish it online, and accept unlimited submissions with automatic signature capture. The system handles the heavy lifting – from routing to compliance – so your team can focus on delivering value.
Online Forms also work beautifully for businesses with multiple locations or remote teams. Whether it’s a client consent form or a digital waiver, everything is handled through one centralized platform – no email chains, no printing, and no missed fields.
Try It Yourself: FreeSign Tool
Want to see how easy online contracts can be without committing to a paid plan? That’s where FreeSign comes in.
Foxit’s FreeSign tool allows anyone to upload a contract, apply their electronic signature, and download the signed version, all without creating an account. It’s perfect for simple, one-off agreements where you need a signature fast.
Once FreeSign is live on the Foxit eSign page, you’ll find it as a drag-and-drop interface right on the homepage. It’s designed to encourage first-time users to engage with the experience, while offering a natural path into Foxit eSign’s full-featured platform for those who need advanced tools.
From FreeSign, users will be able to explore features like team collaboration, signature workflows, template creation, and integrations with tools like HR and ATS systems.
Make the Shift to Online Contracts—Your Team Will Thank You
The business world is moving faster than ever, and contracts can no longer be the thing that slows you down. Online contracts aren’t just a convenience – they’re a strategic advantage. They speed up decision-making, protect your business, and free your team from repetitive, manual tasks.
Foxit eSign makes it easy to get started, whether you’re handling a single agreement or managing contracts across departments. From simple drag-and-drop signing to advanced integrations and embedded forms, it’s everything you need to take control of your document workflows.
Try online contracts the easy way – drag and drop your first document into FreeSign and experience the future of digital agreements.