Website "signature"

[RPetry]

A quick question. I'm developing a small website for my business. This is truly a "local" business and I do not expect much traffic to the site.

At the bottom of the index page I have "signed" my name. In other words, included a graphic .gif file of my real handwritten signature. It kind of lends a personal, maybe authentic touch to the opening page.

However, the question of security, identity theft, etc. arises. I'm trying to weigh any possible risks. I mean on the one hand most of us "make public" our signatures daily, especially in business. Signing letters, receipts, credit card purchases, etc. But actually posting a signature on the internet is kind of spooky.

One alternative is to have someone else sign my name and use that in the .gif file. But then its "false", not real and no question contrived. In addition, my customers know my real signature, its on contracts, letters, etc.

What do you think?

[Grime Dawg]

Hi Rick,

This question was raised in the online marketing community some time ago and the general consensus is...

DON'T use your real signature.

You have several options.

1) Have someone else sign
2) Sign it completely different than usual
3) Use one of the 'signature' type fonts (this is what I suggest)

It won't have a negative effect by using something other than a personal signature, and most people won't notice anyway.

Todd

[RPetry]

Todd,

Thanks, your alternatives make sense. #1 I do not want to do, #2 would be hard, how can you change a signature?, and #3 is what I have currently, commenting out the original .gif file.

Tough finding decent script fonts. I develop using Linux and the "URW Chancery L" looks good in firefox running FC6. For IE, have tried "Lucida Handwriting" but its not much better than "Comic Sans MS".

This is unusual as MS fonts rendered in Explorer are usually better than open source fonts. Guess I'll keep on looking...

[RyanH]

Signatures are a joke anyways...I used to actually sign my name, now I just to a circle with a line through it, and nobody says a word. I've signed my name 100 different ways, and my credit card has never been denied at any merchang.

[RPetry]

Ryan,

I agree somewhat. At first, I didn't think a signature.gif would be any big deal. Had a trade vendor look over the index page and she yelled at me for the signature! Got me thinking about consequences.

I'm no attorney for any legal problems and know little about identity theft. According to Todd, this has been much debated, and his advice is sound.

[bigchaz]

Like Ryan said it really doesn't matter much anyways
Typically i just draw a C and continue the bottom line all the way across

If im feeling industrious I might throw a bump or two in the line

[Beth n Rod]

I would never use my real signature.

Text works for me....

Beth

[Grime Dawg]

Rick,

Google FREE FONT SCRIPTS and I'm sure you'll find something to your liking.

But, why not just Bold and Italisize something you already have? Even though as you say it's more a personal/local website, what you say on it will be more important than how you sign your name.

Just a thought.

Rick, PM or call me. I've got some great info. for local sites.



RYAN,

There was a special on TV about a year or so ago (maybe 20/20) where they did a test and signed checks with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Not a single one was refused and none were declined by the bank. And these bank accounts were set up under an individuals 'real' name, just the checks were signed MM.

That's how important your signature really is. Sad but true.

Todd

P.S. I don't see a thing wrong with Lucida Handwriting. I once searched a full day looking for 'realistic' looking script fonts, then finally realized that people will know that it isn't a real signature anyway. Doesn't matter!

[RPetry]

Awesome! Can I say that, being over 50?. The power of the web again makes a mark. A simple post on the Grime Scene results in one of the more remarkable phone conversations I can remember.

Do not underestimate the power of networking.

[squirtgun]

This is how I sign everything.




X

[Grime Dawg]

Scott,

I thought with Power Washers Mafia and all you would say..."Signature? You wanna signature? Ahright, I'll give ya a signature, but then I'll have ta kill ya."

[StainlessDeal]

Either the signature, or the brains are going on the contract. They get to pick...

[Beth n Rod]

I have 3 signatures. One for contracting, the others for different types of financials.
The reason is, one may never know where someone got your signature otherwise. This way, they are easily identifiable as to where it was copied or forged from.
Try making up a pen signature instead that is related to you but never would appear on anything involving money or credit card purchases.

Rod!~