eFax Basics
What you need to know about online fax
Here is everything you need to know about eFaxing (or online faxing) in a nutshell: what it is, why to use it, and how to use it.
What eFax Is
eFax is the sending and receiving of faxes electronically (thus the "e" preceding the "fax"). In other words, it is faxing over the Internet, just like you would send or receive an email. And a person using a regular fax machine can send faxes to you at your eFax number and receive faxes from you via your online fax account.
Why to Use eFax
There are many great reasons to use online fax in place of traditional faxing, with three of the biggest benefits being:
Cost: Just like sending and receiving emails is free, sending and receiving eFaxes is free too. Granted, you do have to pay for an online fax service to facilitate your eFaxing, but when you add up the cost of traditional faxing machinery, maintenance and repair, ink and toner cartridge, a dedicated telephone line, faxing paper and time spent waiting for the fax to actually go (or come) through - the comparatively low cost of unlimited eFaxing seems like nothing.
Convenience: Online faxing is done right from your computer, over your existing Internet connection, directly from your favorite web browser (like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc.). You don't have to get up to eFax; you don't even have to stop what you're doing to send or receive an online fax.
Consciousness: That is environmental and social consciousness. eFaxing, to put it plainly, is Green faxing. Online faxes are paperless and thus tree and forest friendly. They also use no toxic toner cartridges, which are difficult to safely dispose of, and far too often wind up polluting our landfills.
How to Use eFax
Just like an email, if you're sending an eFax, once you've typed it up and clicked send, you go right back to working on something else (probably also on your computer); your computer will notify you to confirm that the online fax was received. Some eFax companies even give the option of knowing when an online fax you sent is read by the recipient.
Just like receiving an email, if you're receiving an online fax, you simply go about your business, and your computer will alert you when an eFax comes through. Checking an online fax is as simple as checking your email. And replying it to, again, is just like replaying to an email.
The First Step In eFaxing: Finding The Right Online Fax Service For You
Before all this you need to find a quality, reputable, reliable online fax service to sign up with to facilitate your sending and receiving of faxes (think of it like this: instead of using the phone company, you're using them). An eFax reviews site can be invaluable in making this all-important selection.
Fortunately, most online fax services give you a free trial of their eFax services. Usually, you must sign up to receive a free eFax number (just like telephone number) from which you can instantly start receiving unlimited eFaxes for free. To send eFaxes, however, you must then upgrade your free membership with your chosen online fax service to a paid subscription membership. But at least this partial trial period each online fax service gives you can provide you with a reasonably good idea of their services.
View our list of the Top Online Fax Providers