Fax Number Versatility Among Top Internet Fax Features

Online fax services make it easy to start or switch to Internet faxing with features that accommodate current home or business faxing practices. Among the top concerns of people switching to online faxing is whether they can keep their current fax number. Many others prefer a fax number that is easy to remember or represents their business. With online fax services, fax number versatility is a standard Internet fax feature. You can choose as many fax numbers as you wish, and since faxes are transmitted over the Internet, no phone lines are needed. Here are some of the fax number features that online faxing provides:

Keeping Your Existing Fax Number

Online fax services enable homes and businesses to keep their current fax number through a process called porting. Simply call the online fax service provider to inform them about keeping your existing fax number. The online fax service handles the entire process and notifies your local telephone company of the switch to their system. The process takes up to three weeks to complete and most online fax services charge a porting fee. If you decide to ever change Internet fax providers, confirm with the online fax service that your fax number stays with you.

Choosing A Local Fax Number

Online fax services lease numbers from telecommunications service providers, so they can offer a variety of local fax numbers in your area code. For example, eFax offers local numbers in 2,000 locations in more than 35 countries. Keep in mind that these local fax numbers belong to the online fax service provider, so if you change providers, the fax number stays with them.

Selecting A Toll-Free Fax Number

Some online fax service providers offer the option of a toll-free fax number. For example, MyFax offers toll-free fax numbers in the U.S. and Canada at no additional charge. This feature is particularly advantageous for businesses who want to offer their customers a no-cost means of contacting them. Check with the online fax service before signing up regarding availability of toll-free numbers and number choices.

Selecting Multiple Fax Numbers

Another Internet fax number feature that is appealing to businesses is the ability to select more than one fax number without having to add any additional hardware, software, or phone lines. Options include a combination of fax numbers that include a local area code, a different area code, or a toll-free number. This allows businesses to have a virtual presence anywhere around the world without having a physical building there.