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Digital Signatures vs. Emailed PDFs: Why You Need a Built-in Solution for Your Event Rental Business

Digital Signatures vs. Emailed PDFs: Why You Need a Built-in Solution for Your Event Rental Business

The Shift to Digital Contracts

Running an event rental business is all about efficiency. Whether you’re renting out tents, furniture, lighting, or catering equipment, every second counts when closing deals and confirming bookings. The faster you can get your customers to sign contracts, the quicker you secure revenue and move on to the next job.

Yet, many event rental companies still rely on outdated contract processes—emailing PDFs for customers to print, sign, scan, and send back. Not only is this method slow and frustrating, but it also increases the risk of lost documents, unsigned agreements, and last-minute cancellations.

This is where digital signatures come in. A built-in digital signature solution, like the one offered by Marquee Tech, eliminates friction and speeds up the entire process, ensuring you never miss a deal due to paperwork delays.

In this blog, we’ll break down why digital signatures are better than emailed PDFs, how they can help your event rental business, and why a built-in solution is the best choice.

1. The Problem with Emailed PDFs for Event Rental Agreements

Sending contracts via email might seem convenient at first, but in reality, it creates more work for you and your customers. Here’s why:

1.1 It’s Time-Consuming

  • Customers need to open the email, download the PDF, print it, sign it, scan it, and send it back.
  • If they don’t have a printer or scanner, they may need to use a third-party tool, delaying the process.
  • Every step increases the risk of them forgetting or abandoning the process altogether.

1.2 Documents Can Get Lost

  • Emails can get buried in inboxes, leading to delayed signatures.
  • Customers may send back incomplete or incorrectly signed documents.
  • You might need to chase them multiple times for the correct paperwork.

1.3 Poor Customer Experience

  • Customers expect seamless online transactions, especially in the fast-moving events industry.
  • If the process is too complicated, they might turn to a competitor with an easier signing method.

2. The Power of Digital Signatures for Event Rental Agreements

A digital signature is an electronic signature that allows customers to sign documents online with just a few clicks. Instead of dealing with PDFs, customers receive a secure link, review the terms, and sign instantly from any device.

2.1 Faster Contract Completion

  • Digital signatures reduce contract turnaround time from days to minutes.
  • Customers can sign from their phone, tablet, or computer—no printing or scanning required.
  • Automated reminders ensure contracts get signed on time.

2.2 Improved Customer Experience

  • One-click signing makes it easy for customers to confirm rentals.
  • A professional, hassle-free process enhances your brand’s reputation.
  • Customers appreciate the convenience, leading to higher satisfaction and repeat business.

2.3 Automated Record-Keeping

  • All signed contracts are stored digitally, reducing paperwork.
  • Easy access to signed agreements in case of disputes or legal issues.
  • No risk of losing paper copies or searching through emails for old agreements.

3. Why a Built-in Digital Signature Solution is Better Than Third-Party Tools

While some businesses use standalone digital signature tools like DocuSign or Adobe Sign, integrating a built-in solution within your event rental software is far more effective. Here’s why:

3.1 Seamless Workflow from Quote to Contract

  • With Marquee Tech, you can generate quotes, send contracts, and collect signatures all in one platform.
  • No need to export PDFs, upload them to a separate tool, or manually track signed agreements.
  • The entire process is streamlined, ensuring no step is missed.

3.2 Automated Payment Collection

  • Digital signatures can be linked to automated deposits and payments.
  • Once a customer signs, the system can trigger a payment request, reducing the risk of unpaid bookings.
  • Speeds up cash flow and secures revenue.

3.3 Custom Branding for Professionalism

  • A built-in solution lets you add your company branding and logo to all contracts.
  • Customers trust professional-looking documents more than generic third-party services.
  • Strengthens your brand identity and makes your business look more credible.

3.4 Real-Time Tracking and Notifications

  • Get instant updates when customers open and sign contracts.
  • Set automated reminders to follow up with customers who haven’t signed yet.
  • Reduce the time spent manually chasing signatures.

4. Industry Statistics: Why Digital Signatures Are the Future

Still not convinced? Let’s look at some numbers:

  • Businesses using digital signatures see an 80% reduction in document turnaround time.
  • Electronic signatures reduce contract errors by up to 92%, preventing costly disputes.
  • 81% of customers prefer digital contract signing due to convenience and speed.
  • SMEs can save up to £25,000 per year on printing, paper, and administrative costs by switching to digital contracts.

5. How to Implement Digital Signatures in Your Event Rental Business

Step 1: Choose the Right Rental Software

  • Select a platform like Marquee Tech that includes built-in digital signatures.
  • Ensure it integrates with your rental processes, from quotes to payments.

Step 2: Create Customisable Contracts

  • Set up digital agreements with clear terms, pricing, and conditions.
  • Use templates to save time and maintain consistency.

Step 3: Automate the Signing Process

  • Send contracts instantly once a quote is approved.
  • Enable automatic reminders for unsigned agreements.

Step 4: Keep Digital Records

  • Store all signed contracts in the cloud for easy access.
  • Use built-in analytics to track contract completion rates.

Conclusion: Upgrade Your Event Rental Business with Digital Signatures

In the fast-paced event rental industry, speed and efficiency are everything. If you’re still relying on emailed PDFs and manual signatures, you’re slowing down your business and frustrating your customers.

A built-in digital signature solution like Marquee Tech can help you:✅ Secure bookings faster✅ Reduce paperwork and admin work✅ Improve customer experience✅ Protect your business from disputes✅ Increase revenue with automated payments

Ready to ditch the PDFs and switch to a smarter, more efficient system?

Book a free demo with Marquee Tech today and see how digital signatures can transform your event rental business!

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