Despite the presence of emails, mobile phones, and chatbots, many businesses rely on fax machines as a business communication tool, including law firms, healthcare facilities, and real estate companies.
Sending a fax communication offers a fast and secure exchange of business documents. And more than 30 years later, this method still serves its purpose. However, with technology, online fax services have become more prevalent.
If you run a business and want to be available in all communication channels, having an online fax number is an excellent option. Discover how to choose the correct number for your enterprise in this article.
Getting An Online Fax Number
Like a fixed telephone number, an online fax number serves as your business’s identification number. By subscribing to online fax service, your business doesn’t have to purchase a fax machine to start sending and receiving documents. A sender and receiver only need a fax number to initiate any transmission and ensure that the recipient gets them.
Before choosing the correct online fax number, it’s crucial to know how to get a fax number. To this end, a business has to take the following steps:
- Choose the best online fax provider
Before settling with one provider, it’s highly recommended that prospective users assess their needs to develop a list of must-haves and non-negotiable features. Check the available choices, once you’re done with the assessment for your business, start comparing the options. Some firms offer better deals like lower subscription fees, a free trial period, a money-back guarantee, excellent customer support, and fewer user restrictions.
- Create an account
After choosing the most suited online fax service provider for your company, sign up for a new account. Make sure you provide the correct details, especially the business email address, because this is where the faxed documents will be sent.
- Enjoy your new online fax number
Upon registration, the provider will assign a virtual business phone number that your contacts can use to send documents. Temporary numbers are provided to users under a free trial period, while fixed numbers are reserved for subscribers who’ve purchased a subscription plan. Once the plan period expires, the user needs to renew the service.
Choosing The Right Business Online Fax Number
Most online fax service providers assign fax numbers to their users. In some cases, as an added service to their subscribers, the latter may give numbers to themselves. Here are the steps on how to make use of your subscription:
- Log in to your account and go to settings
Log on to your account to check the settings on the dashboard. As the user interface for online fax services varies from one provider to another, it’ll take some exploring if you’re a new user.
- Follow user prompts or click the appropriate buttons
The dashboard will take you to a list of unassigned numbers. Choose any available number from the list. As much as possible, opt for a number that’s easy to remember. Click the username and the word “edit.”, then click the number of your choice, after that select “assign number.” Don’t forget to save the new settings for the changes to take effect.
- Know Your Options
There are three primary business fax solutions, physical, digital, and real-time faxing, and you get to choose what your business needs. No matter which type you choose, online fax services can provide a seamless operation for your business.
- Your current business number: You can retain your number by asking your online fax provider to port the number into the service with your fixed telephone line. For most businesses, this is the most convenient solution, as contacts no longer have to update the company’s numbers. Take note that you’ll be charged if you want to avail this service integration.
- Local fax number: This is a good option if your business only caters to a local area. Choosing a local fax number, indicates where your business is located based on your area code.
- Toll-free fax number: Internet fax service providers allow a toll-free number for online fax services. If your company covers a wide area and you want to save your contacts from paying long-distance charges, this is the best option for you.
The Wrap Up
If you want your business to have a reliable and safe means to communicate with your contacts, adding an online fax service is a good option. Getting a fax number for online services is essential to send and receive fax documents.
Besides being an effective communication tool for clients, online fax services allow entities to send and receive essential paperwork, ensuring flawless operations. As your company becomes capable of promptly connecting with clients and important contacts, your business will have a better chance of increasing sales and revenues.
