Faxing has been a staple of office communication for decades. However, traditional fax machines are slowly becoming outdated with the rise of online fax services. Online fax services offer a more secure, cost-effective, and convenient way to send and receive faxes.
This article will explore how online fax services work, the advantages of online faxing, and what features to look for in an online fax service.
Introduction to Online Fax Services
Online fax services, also known as internet fax, is a way of sending and receiving faxes using the internet instead of a traditional fax machine. Online faxing allows you to send and receive faxes from anywhere with an internet connection.
This means you can send and receive faxes from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Online fax services offer a more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional faxing.
Traditional vs. Online Faxing
What are the key differences between traditional and internet faxing?
Traditional faxing involves using a fax machine to scan a document and send it over a phone line to another fax machine. Online faxing, on the other hand, relies on scanning, taking a photo, or attaching a document and sending it over the internet to an email address or a virtual fax number.
The most important factor is that with traditional faxing, you need a physical fax machine, while online faxing allows you to send and receive faxes from anywhere with an internet connection.
How Do Online Fax Services Work?
To benefit from internet faxing, you need to sign up for an account with an online fax provider, like FaxBurner. Once you have an account, you can send and receive faxes using your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
To send a fax, you can take photos of the document itself or attach a file via dropbox or another method. Additionally, you can create a cover page within the app itself. The online fax app will then convert the document into a format that can be sent over the internet. Once the document has been converted, you can enter the recipient’s fax number or email address and send the fax.
To receive a fax, you need to have a virtual fax number. This is a number that is assigned to you by the online fax service. When someone sends a fax to your virtual fax number, the online fax service receives the fax and converts it into a digital format. The online fax service then sends the fax to your email inbox as an attachment as well as stores the fax in your account.
The whole procedure is very easy and time-effective, and you don’t need to look for a physical fax machine to be able to fax documents.
How Do Traditional Fax Machines Work?
Traditional fax machines work by scanning a document and encoding it into a series of beeps and tones. The encoded document is then sent over a phone line to another fax machine. The receiving fax machine decodes the beeps and tones and prints out a copy of the document. Traditional faxing requires a physical fax machine and a phone line connection.
Are Online Fax Services Legit?
Yes, online fax services are legit. Online fax services are a secure and convenient way to send and receive faxes. They use encryption technology to ensure that your faxes are secure and cannot be accessed by unauthorized parties. Online fax services are also regulated by telecommunications laws, which ensure that they operate within legal boundaries.
How Does Free Online Fax Work?
Some online fax services offer free plans that allow you to send and receive a limited number of faxes per month. Free online fax services are usually ad-supported, meaning that you will see ads when you use the service. Free online fax services are a great way to try out online faxing before committing to a paid plan.
With FaxBurner’s free plan, you can acquire a disposable fax number, receive up to 25 pages per month and send up to 5 pages. It’s a perfect solution for small companies and entrepreneurs who want to test this service or have smaller faxing needs.
Find information about our pricing here.
Advantages of Online Faxing
Online faxing offers several advantages over traditional faxing. One of the main advantages is cost savings. Online fax services are generally less expensive than traditional faxing because they do not require a physical fax machine or a phone line connection. Online faxing is also more environmentally friendly because it reduces paper waste.
Another advantage of online faxing is convenience. Faxing allows you to send and receive faxes from anywhere with an internet connection. This means you can send and receive faxes while on the go, which can be a huge time-saver. Online faxing is also more efficient because it eliminates the need to print out documents and physically send them.
Features to Look for in an Online Fax Service
When choosing an online fax service, there are several features to look for. One of the most important features is security. Choose an online fax service that uses encryption technology to ensure that your faxes are secure.
You should also look for an online faxing service that offers a secure online portal where you can manage your faxes.
Another important feature to look for is the ease of use. It’s better to select an online fax service that is easy to navigate and use, as you won’t have to spend much time learning it. Look for an online fax service that offers a user-friendly interface and clear instructions on how to send and receive faxes.
Most online fax services, including Fax Burner, offer features for sending and receiving your faxes via email. It’s a considerable advantage, so make sure your online fax service provider offers this feature.
Security Considerations for Online Faxing
Security is a major concern when it comes to online faxing. While the information you’re sending via traditional fax machines and telephone lines is encrypted, therefore, hard to hack, the same cannot be said for sending plain emails.
Fortunately, faxing online offers the same level of security as traditional faxing services. An online faxing service provider sends your data in packets using standard internet protocols (TCPIP), which protects your information from getting intercepted and leaked.
To ensure that your faxes are secure, choose an online fax service that uses encryption technology to protect your faxes.
Pricing for Online Faxing Services
The cost of online faxing services varies depending on the provider and the plan you choose. Some online fax services offer free plans that allow you to send and receive a limited number of faxes per month, in which case you can benefit from an internet fax service free of charge.
Paid plans typically start at around $10 per month and can go up to $50 or more per month, depending on the features and volume of faxes you need.
Learn about Fax Burner’s plans and start benefiting from convenient and secure online faxing today.
Steps to Send and Receive a Fax Online
To send a fax online, follow these steps:
- Sign up for an online fax service
- Upload the document you want to send
- Enter the recipient’s fax number or email address
- Click send
To receive incoming faxes online, follow these steps:
- Sign up for an online fax service
- Choose a virtual fax number
- Give your virtual fax number to the person or organization that will be sending you faxes
- Check your email inbox for incoming faxes
What Equipment Is Needed to Send Faxes Online?
To send faxes online, you need a computer, tablet, or smartphone with an internet connection. You also need to sign up for an online fax service and have a document to send. Some online fax services also offer mobile apps that allow you to send and receive faxes from your smartphone.
Fax or Email: Which is Better?
Whether fax or email is better depends on your needs. Email is faster and more convenient for sending documents that do not require a signature. Fax, on the other hand, is still necessary for certain industries, such as healthcare and legal, where signatures are required on documents. Faxing is also more secure than email because faxes are encrypted and sent directly to the recipient’s fax machine or inbox.
The good news is that most service providers offer the option to send and receive faxes online via email, so you don’t really have to choose between the two. Remember that faxing is always a safer option, though, so if you wish to benefit from maximum protection, then sending a fax is a better choice.
Conclusion – Why Online Faxing Is a Game-Changer
Online faxing is a superior solution because it offers a more cost-effective, convenient, and secure way to send and receive faxes. With online faxing, you can send and receive faxes from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection.
Online faxing also reduces paper waste and saves you tons of time. You don’t need to worry about buying and maintaining a fax machine or finding one near you every time you want to fax something.
Overall, internet faxing makes more sense in the modern business environment.
When choosing an online fax service, look for one that offers encryption technology, ease of use, and a secure online portal.
Online faxing is the way of the future and is here to stay!
