How to Select the Best Internet Fax Service

There are many Internet fax services vying for your business. You must choose a dependable, competent provider to carry your messages. Here are some tips to help you decide which service will best fit your personal and professional needs.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Internet access
• Computer

1. Determine how many faxes you will send and receive, and then decide which service meets your needs. Remember that as your business increases, you might be sending more faxes.

2. Check the fine print in your contract. Many Internet fax services cap the number of faxes you can send each month; any faxes above that number will incur charges above your monthly fee.

3. Investigate the tech support provided by any company you consider. A good company will offer tech support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will be able to solve problems quickly.

4. Avoid unnecessary "extras." Faxing over the Internet should not require extra software or other equipment. You should be able to enter your email account to send faxes from anywhere that provides Internet access. Uninterrupted connectivity is essential.

5. Eliminate guesswork with Internet fax confirmation. A good Internet fax service always provides confirmation emails, complete with log information including the time your fax was sent and received.

Tips & Warnings

• Most services offer a free one-month trial; use the trial period to determine if a service meets your requirements.

• Check out multiple services before choosing one. Study the contract closely to ensure that the service meets your needs. Fax companies are flexible, so you don't have to be.

• Always check the fine print for hidden charges and overflow fees.