Faxing online or over the Internet 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 call!

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, safer, cheaper and more convenient than the old traditional fax machine. You can access your faxes anywhere, anytime, wherever you have Internet, and these days, it’s pretty much everywhere.

How does an online fax service work?

First, you need to 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 emailed as attachments, usually in TIFF or PDF format. Your online fax service acts as an intermediary, you can still send and receive faxes from traditional fax machines, but most users completely switch 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 popular and widely used services are: MyFax, eFax, RingCentral, TrustFax, RapidFax, Send2Fax, MetroFax, and Faxage.

Do I need an additional 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 minimal.

Are there additional costs if I go over my limit?

Yes, most plans charge around 10 cents per minute for additional pages… some companies offer much less, so it’s worth shopping around. Please note: some companies quote rates in pages, others in minutes… pages are supposed to take 1 minute or less to transmit your fax, however with large faxes it may take longer. International faxes will generally cost more.

How many faxes can I send or receive?

Most online fax services offer you around 300 combined pages (incoming and outgoing) per month. This is usually the norm, but some fax companies offer you more, so shop around.

Are fax services scalable for businesses?

Yes, most online fax services cater to businesses large and small. It can be scaled to additional accounts and large fax transmissions to meet your business faxing needs.

Can I sign up for a trial period?

Yes, most companies offer a 30 day free trial so you can try before you buy. Some services also offer a free month, but you only get this on your second month on the service.

Why should I use Internet Fax?

Going with an online fax service has many advantages over traditional faxing: it’s paperless, inkless, portable, convenient, more secure, cheaper, and available wherever you have Internet. Also, because other companies are already using it, they may be a bit more competitive than yours, especially if your business deals with the rapid transmission of information or secure documents.

It’s a very competitive world, you have to ask yourself: can you afford not to use an online fax service? Once again, it’s your call.