Online Fax Service - Understanding The Basics
Titus Hoskins Copyright © 2008

Online or Internet faxing 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 fall behind. It's your call.

What Is An Online Fax Service?

Online fax is simply using the Internet and your email system to send and receive your faxes. It's paperless, inkless, more secure, more economical and more convenient than the old traditional fax machine. You can access your faxes anywhere, anytime - wherever you have the Internet and these days that's just about everywhere.

Just How Does An Online Fax Service Work?

First, you must sign-up for an Internet fax service where you will receive 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 sent via email as attachments, usually in TIFF or PDF formats. Your online fax service acts as an intermediary, you can still send and receive faxes from traditional fax machines but most users switch totally over to this new way of faxing.

Who Are The Major Fax Service Providers?

There are many online fax service providers but some of the most well-known and used Internet fax services are: eFax®, MyFax, RingCentral, TrustFax, RapidFax, Send2Fax, MetroFax and Faxage.

Do I Need An Extra Phone Line?

No, all faxing is done online and thru 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 low as $4 a month, or even $20 a year if your faxing needs are very minimum.

Are There Additional Costs If I Go Over My Limit?

Yes, most plans charge around 10 cents per minute for extra pages... some companies will offer much less so again it pays to shop around. Please Note: some companies quote rates in pages, others quote in minutes... for pages it is assumed that it takes 1 minute or less to transmit your fax, however, with large faxes it 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 (Incoming & Outgoing) per month. This is usually the norm, but some fax companies offer you more so shop around.

Are Fax Services Scalable For Companies?

Yes, most online fax services cater to businesses both big and small. Scaling up to extra accounts, and large fax broadcasting can all be done to suit your company's faxing needs.

Can I Sign Up For A Trial Period?

ost companies offer a 30 Day Free Trial so your can try before you buy. Some services also offer one month free but you only get this on your second month into the service.

Why Should I Use Internet Fax?

Going with an online fax service does have many advantages over traditional faxing: it's paperless, inkless, portable, convenient, more secure, more economical and it's available wherever you have the Internet. Plus, because other companies are already using it, they might be slightly more competitive than yours, especially if your business deals with the quick transmission of secure information or documents.

It's a very competitive world out there, you must ask yourself - can you afford not to use an online fax service? Again, it's your call.

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For more information on Internet Fax Services use this handy online Comparison Guide to get your own: Internet Fax Services. Titus Hoskins Copyright © 2008.

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Please Note In gathering information and facts about the different Internet Fax Services, some online sites proved very beneficial. Mainly sites that rated the different Fax Services - nothing beats an opinion poll of actual users.

Internet Fax Service Guide