Sign a sales proposal online, and close faster
Send a compelling commercial offer — context, value, scope, options and pricing — that your prospect accepts electronically in less than 2 minutes from their mobile. Acceptance of the proposal forms the contract (article 1101 Civil Code) and locks in the scope, price and terms from the click. Compliant with article 1366 of the Civil Code and the eIDAS regulation — advanced signature recommended, open tracking and consultation, automatic reminders. 10-year archiving included.
- Legal framework
- Article 1101 Civil Code
- Signature level
- AES eIDAS recommended
- Legal archival
- 10 years inclusive
What is an electronically signed business proposal?
A business proposal is not a simple itemized quote: it is a structured and reasoned commercial offer that sets out the prospect's context, added value, detailed scope, possible options or variants, and associated pricing. It is the French equivalent of the "order form" or "proposal"—the document on which closing depends. As soon as the prospect accepts it, this acceptance constitutes contract formation under Article 1101 of the Civil Code: offer and consent meet, scope and price are fixed. Advanced electronic signature (AES) timestamps this acceptance with a level of proof enforceable before the commercial court. Article 1366 of the Civil Code grants electronically signed documents the same probative force as paper documents, provided the signatory is identified and the document''s integrity is ensured. Certyneo guarantees both, via dual-channel OTP and SHA-256 fingerprint integrated into the signed PDF.
Why sign the business proposal online?
Accelerated closing from mobile
The prospect reads the proposal and signs from their phone in less than 2 minutes, without installing an app or creating an account. SMS OTP formally identifies them at the critical moment. You eliminate the dead time between "we''re good to go" and actual signature, where so many deals are lost.
Opening and consultation tracking
You know when the proposal is opened, how many times it is viewed, and at what moment. This signal of interest tells you precisely when to follow up, without harassing or losing momentum. Every consultation is logged in the document''s audit trail.
Automatic follow-ups D+2 / D+5 / D+7
Certyneo follows up with the prospect who has not yet signed, according to a configurable schedule (default D+2, D+5, D+7). You stay in control of strategic deals while automating volume follow-up. Each follow-up is timestamped in the audit trail.
Enforceable eIDAS audit trail
Every accepted proposal is delivered with a proof PDF: signatory identity (email + SMS OTP phone), qualified timestamp, SHA-256 fingerprint, IP and rough geolocation, consultation log. Enforceable before the commercial court in case of dispute over acceptance, scope, or agreed price.
Sign a business proposal in 4 steps
From sending the offer to timestamped and archived closing, in less than 5 minutes.
1. Upload the proposal
Upload your business proposal PDF or start from a Certyneo template. Structure the offer: context, value, limited and enumerated scope, costed options or variants, pricing and offer validity period.
2. Add the signing decision maker
Enter the name, email and phone number of the decision maker on the prospect side. They will receive a personalized secure link. For enterprise accounts, add the purchasing director or finance department as a co-signer.
3. Choose the eIDAS level
Advanced signature (AES) recommended for B2B proposals: identity verified by SMS OTP, unique certificate per signer, qualified timestamp, compliant with article 26 of the eIDAS regulation. Simple signature (SES) is sufficient for small amounts or confirmatory offers.
4. Sign and archive
The prospect signs from their mobile or computer, usually within 24 hours. The accepted proposal and its proof PDF are automatically archived for 10 years, accessible anytime from your dashboard for audit or dispute.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a business proposal and a quote?
- A quote is a pricing document: price, scope, terms, presented operationally. A business proposal is an argued offer that sells value first — prospect context, benefits, detailed scope, options and variants, then pricing. Legally, both fall under article 1101 of the Civil Code: as soon as the prospect accepts, offer and consent meet and the contract is formed. The proposal simply goes further in commercial argument and closing.
- Does proposal acceptance constitute a firm commitment?
- Yes. Article 1101 of the Civil Code defines a contract as an agreement of wills intended to create legal effects: an accepted proposal forms the contract, the prospect is committed to the accepted scope and price. Certyneo's advanced electronic signature formally identifies the signer (dual-channel OTP) and guarantees the integrity of the proposal as accepted (SHA-256 fingerprint embedded in the PDF). The commitment is admissible before the commercial court in case of later dispute.
- How do I manage multiple options or variants in a proposal?
- Structure your variants in the proposal body (standard offer, premium, with or without option) and materialize the choice through signature or initials fields next to the selected option. The SHA-256 fingerprint locks in the exact version accepted by the prospect, including options. If the prospect changes their option afterward, a new proposal must be issued for signature — this signed version establishes the agreed scope.
- Can I track opening and automatically follow up with the prospect?
- Yes. Certyneo tells you when the proposal is opened and how many times it is viewed — a valuable signal of interest to time your follow-ups. Follow-ups are automatic and configurable (default D+2, D+5, D+7), customizable in timing and content, or can be disabled for sensitive accounts. Every opening, view and follow-up is recorded in the document audit trail.
- Which signature level to choose: SES, AES or QES?
- For a B2B business proposal with full legal value, advanced signature (AES) is the standard: identity verification by SMS OTP, unique certificate per signer, qualified timestamp, compliant with article 26 of the eIDAS regulation. SES (simple signature) is sufficient for small amounts or confirmatory offers. QES is rarely necessary for a commercial offer. The presumption of reliability under article 1367 of the Civil Code makes AES enforceable without further proof.
- What happens if the proposal is modified after acceptance?
- Any modification after acceptance invalidates the signature: the SHA-256 fingerprint of the signed document is included in the proof PDF. If the file is modified, the fingerprint no longer matches and the alteration is instantly detectable. To change the scope or price, you must issue an amendment or a new proposal to sign — this signed version locks in the contract under article 1101 of the Civil Code.
- Does Certyneo integrate with my CRM?
- Yes, via native Zapier, Make connectors and our webhooks. You can automatically trigger the creation of a Certyneo envelope when an opportunity moves to "proposal sent" in HubSpot, Pipedrive, Sellsy, Axonaut or any other CRM, and report the signature status back to your pipeline. Our REST API is documented at certyneo.com/developers for custom integrations.
- Is the signed proposal enforceable in commercial court?
- Yes. French case law unanimously recognizes eIDAS-compliant electronic signatures. The reliability presumption of Article 1367 of the Civil Code makes advanced signature (AES) enforceable without further demonstration, provided the eIDAS audit trail is produced in court — proof PDF automatically delivered by Certyneo. When the accepted proposal becomes an order and invoice, Article L441-1 of the Commercial Code governs the statements and formalities applicable between professionals.
Also read
Sign your first business proposal online
Permanent free plan (5 envelopes / month), no credit card required. Open tracking, automatic reminders, time-stamped enforceable acceptance. Audit trail and 10-year archiving included.