How to Collect & Store Signatures

One of the most frequently asked questions we get is what are the best ways to collect and store signed forms for your grooming business. At GroomerDocs, we'll provide the finished document to you as a PDF. There are a three ways you can collect signatures from clients with the PDF:

Option 1: Email the PDF documents and have the client sign, then email back.

Send them the PDF (either by email or a downloadable link on your website), ask the client to print it out, sign it and scan/take a picture and email it back to you (or bring it to their appointment). This is how I collect signatures in my grooming business and very rarely do I have any issues with it.

Option 2: Send the forms using an e-signature program.

Upload the PDF to an e-signature program like Adobe Sign, HelloSign, or DocuSign. These programs typically have a fee you pay each month depending on the number of signatures/forms you need signed. The way they work is that you email the form to the client directly and they sign through the program.

Option 3: Utilize your appointment booking software.

Upload the PDF to your booking program (like Pawfinity, GroomSoft, Gingr, etc.) that collects signatures for you. Some programs need you to copy/paste the contents of the PDF, others use the PDF itself as an upload, it just depends on the program.

Storing Signed Documents

Once you have collected signatures, it is important to store them securely. Physical documents can be stored in a fire-proof filing cabinet. If you use your computer to store documents, then make sure to have regular back-ups performed either with an external hard drive or cloud-based storage option like DropBox, Google Drive, Cloud Storage with AWS, etc. With option 3, using your booking software, they should have storage and back-up options to help keep your documents secure.

GroomerDocs offers a variety of customized release forms for your grooming business. See the options available by clicking here.