EDM for small business and sole traders is not a luxury reserved for large corporations — it is a way to save time and money when every hour counts. This practical guide explains which documents you can move to electronic format, what you need for it, and how to start without a big upfront investment.
Which documents you can sign electronically
Almost all primary and business documents of a sole trader or small company have electronic equivalents with full legal force:
- Contracts — with clients, suppliers, contractors and landlords.
- Acts of completed works and services — to close the month quickly.
- Invoices — issue and send them in minutes.
- Delivery and goods notes — for tracking the movement of goods.
Each of these is signed with a qualified electronic signature and carries the same force as a paper document signed by hand. This means an electronic act or contract is accepted without issue by counterparties, banks and supervisory authorities — there is no need to print anything separately "just for the record".
What you need to start
The good news: no special equipment is required. Three things are enough:
- A QES file (qualified electronic signature) — the same key a sole trader already uses to sign tax reports. It is issued by accredited centres and some banks.
- A device with a browser — a computer, laptop or even a smartphone. You do not need to install any plugins or programs; signing happens right in the browser.
- An eObig account — registration is free, and you pay only for real actions.
How to start the switch
Do not try to move everything at once. The optimal path for a small business:
- Register at portal.eobig.com and upload your QES.
- Pick one of your most frequent documents — for example, an invoice or an act.
- Create it manually or generate it with AI from a text description or a photo of a paper sample.
- Sign and send it to your counterparty — then repeat, gradually adding other document types.
Pay per action — no big commitment
For sole traders and small businesses it is critical to avoid unnecessary fixed costs. eObig uses a pay-per-action model: you top up a balance with tokens and spend them only when you actually sign or send a document. There is no "just-in-case" subscription — in a month with no deals, you pay nothing. This fits the uneven workload typical of a small business perfectly. Read more about who the service suits on the for whom page.
Working with counterparties who have no account
The most common question: "What if my client doesn't use electronic document management?" That is not a problem. eObig lets you send a document for external signing by link — your counterparty needs no account. They open the link, sign with their own QES and return the document. This way you can start working electronically even when your partners have not yet.
In short: why it pays off for sole traders
| Problem on paper | Solution in eObig |
|---|---|
| Printing and couriers cost time and money | Sign and send in minutes |
| Documents get lost | Electronic archive with search |
| Client in another city | Online exchange, sign by link |
| Fear of big costs | Pay only per action |
Frequently asked questions from sole traders
Do I need a separate QES to work in eObig? No. The same key you already use to sign tax reports will work.
What if I work from a smartphone? Signing happens in the phone's browser just as it does on a computer — no separate app is required.
How much does it cost to start? Registration is free. You top up a balance with tokens and spend them only when you actually sign or send documents, so you can test the service with minimal cost.
Moving to electronic document management as a sole trader starts with a single document. Try the demo or register for free at portal.eobig.com and sign your first invoice today.