What is the difference between a basic document, a stand alone document, and a document template?

WP E-Signature has two document types: basic documents and stand alone documents. It also supports templates for reusing content.

Basic Document

A basic document is typically signer-specific and sent directly from the WP E-Signature dashboard. It can have as many signers as needed, and each signer can have as many signer input fields as you'd like.

To set one up, add the document content, enter each signer's name and email, and send the signing invitation.

Each signer receives an email with their own unique signing URL. They review the document, fill in any required fields, and add their signature.

Stand Alone Document

A stand alone document is typically used for general contracts such as a Waiver, Registration Agreement, or Non-Disclosure Agreement. It is hosted on a page of your WordPress site, so signers can visit the page and sign directly. A formal signing invitation can also be sent using the Share/Invite button.

Each visitor sees a fresh copy of the document to sign, which collects one dynamic signature per copy. A fixed counter-signer can be added using the Approval Signer or Auto Add My Signature feature.

Stand alone documents can include signer input fields and can be used in workflows with the form and eCommerce plugins that eSignature integrates with (check out integration options here).

Document Templates

A document template saves document content for reuse. Templates are created the same way as a document - by adding content and configuring options - and then saved. When you are ready to use one, load its content into a basic or stand alone document.

Templates are useful when the same content is used across many basic documents, since they remove the need to recreate content each time.

If you are unsure which document type to use, contact support with details about the workflow you want to set up.