Online Fax Service – Understanding the Basics
Online or Internet Fax is the wave of the future. It has already become an important communication tool for countless companies and individuals. Businesses must keep up with this relatively new technology or be left behind. It’s your decision!
What is an online fax service?
Online faxing is simply using the Internet and your email system to send and receive your faxes. It is paperless, inkless, more secure, more economical and more convenient than the old traditional fax machine. You can access your faxes anywhere, anytime — anywhere you have Internet access, and these days, that’s almost everywhere.
How does the online fax service work?
First, you need to sign up for an internet fax service where you will get a local or toll-free fax number. You also get an online interface (site) where you can view, send and receive your faxes. You can also store your faxes online. Your faxes are emailed as attachments, usually in TIFF or PDF format. Your online fax service acts as a middleman, you can still send and receive faxes from traditional fax machines, but most users are switching over entirely to this new way of sending faxes.
Who are the main fax service providers?
There are many online fax service providers, but some of the most well-known and used services are: MyFax, eFax, RingCentral, TrustFax, RapidFax, Send2Fax, MetroFax and Faxage.
Do I need an extra phone line?
No, all faxing is done online and through your email system. You also don’t need a traditional fax machine.
How much does internet fax cost?
Prices vary, but most fax services are around $10 a month. But you can get some services for as little as $4 a month or even $20 a year if your faxing needs are very minimal.
Are there additional costs if I exceed my limit?
Yes, most plans charge around 10 cents per minute for additional pages…some companies will offer much less, so again, it’s worth shopping around. Please note: some companies quote prices in pages, others quote in minutes… pages are assumed to take 1 minute or less to send your fax, but large faxes may take longer. International faxes will usually cost more.
How many faxes can I send or receive?
Most online fax services offer you around 300 combined pages (input and output) per month. This is usually the norm, but some fax companies offer you more, so shop around.
Are business fax services scalable?
Yes, most online fax services cater to businesses large and small. Scaling to additional accounts and large fax broadcasts can be made to fit your fax company’s needs.
Can I sign up for a trial period?
Yes, most companies offer a 30 days free trial so you can try before you buy. Some services also offer one month free, but you only get that on your second month on the service.
Why should I use Internet Fax?
Using an online fax service has many advantages over a traditional fax: it’s paperless, inkless, portable, convenient, more secure, more economical, and available anywhere you have internet. Also, since other companies already use it, they may be a bit more competitive than yours, especially if your business deals with the rapid transmission of secure information or documents.
The world is very competitive, you have to ask yourself: can you afford not to use an online fax service? Again, you decide.
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