Internet Fax - Does Your Business Have It?

Copyright (c) 2008 Titus Hoskins

If you own or operate any type of company or business, there is one thing you know for certain: you have competition. You are constantly competing for sales, market share, customers... you also know it's a battle you have to win if you want your business to fully prosper in these demanding times.

One of the best ways to stay competitive is to have the latest and most efficient business tools at your service. Businesses must stay abreast of the times or fall behind the pack - it's that simple.

Internet Fax is a perfect example; it is a business communication tool you simply must have.

Why?

Because your competition will have it and if you're competing against them, you must have it just to stay in the game. Especially if your business relies upon receiving and sending faxes then Internet Fax must be considered for your business.

Internet Fax has many names: online fax, email fax, e fax, electronic fax, mobile fax, even phone fax... regardless of what you call it, Internet Fax is using your email system and the web to send and receive your faxes. It's relatively cheap, it's paperless, it's inkless, it's more secure, and much much more convenient than the old traditional way of faxing.

Moreover, you can access your faxes anywhere anytime, wherever you have Internet access and these days that's almost everywhere. It is completely compatible with cell phones, laptops, PDAs... a truly portable faxing service which your company can benefit from using.

In order to get Internet Fax you have to sign-up for an online fax service where you receive a local or toll-free fax number. You will get an online site (interface) where you can check, send and receive your faxes. You can also store your faxes here.

Generally, your faxes are sent as email attachments, usually in TIFF or PDF formats. Your online fax service acts as an intermediary on your behalf to process your faxes, whether they're coming from traditional fax machines or other Internet Fax users. You simply check into your site or use a desktop application to send or receive your faxes.

Basically, Internet Fax simply ties in or brings all your faxing chores into the computer/internet age. It is the modern way to fax.

Now since this is a "long-term" business service it pays for any company or business to shop around before picking any one service. Do your homework now and it can pay huge dividends over the long haul.

Some of the major Internet Fax Service Providers are: MyFax, eFax, TrustFax, RingCentral, Send2Fax, RapidFax, MetroFax and Faxage. All of these online fax services have slightly different plans and monthly rates so check them all out before choosing a fax service that will meet your company's needs.

Costs for an Internet Fax service usually range from around $10-$15 a month, but some go for as low as $4 a month or if your faxing needs are a bare minimum - around $20 bucks a year.

Again, price shouldn't be your main concern as you will want a reliable fax service with good 24/7 support. This quality service and support should be your first criteria in choosing any fax service. You will also want one that is completely scalable to meet any demanding business fax needs should they arise.

However, since most of the major fax services give you a 30 Day Trial Period, you can try before you buy. Finding an Internet fax service to match your needs shouldn't be that difficult.

For the most part, Internet Fax has many advantages: it is paperless, inkless, very portable, very convenient, more secure and more economical than the traditional way of faxing. Besides, as mentioned before, even if you're not using it, you can be assured your competitors are using it. Can you stay competitive if your business depends upon quick fast communication on a daily basis. Can you really afford not to use Internet Fax?

It's your call.