When it comes to running a business, there’s no denying that I don’t sing the praises of the Internet enough. As an avid fax user of email services, docusign programs, and virtual assistants, I often tell my colleagues that I can do just about everything online without even breaking a sweat. They often think I’m exaggerating, but actually I’m not.
Think of it this way: With the Internet at your fingertips, you can send faxes via PC. You can post ads to fill positions at your company and schedule interviews without ever picking up the phone. You can outsource projects to subcontractors and consultants without even meeting them face-to-face. You can even gain a large amount of your customer base simply through advertisements and online marketing campaigns.
In short, thanks to the Internet, companies can be more profitable than ever.
Want more proof of what I’m talking about? Grab a cup of coffee, sit back and relax, because I’m about to illustrate precisely why the Internet has made running a business so much cheaper than it was a decade or two ago:
Email Fax Services: If you’ve never heard of an email fax service, pay attention: this is just one example of how the Internet has completely revolutionized the way the world communicates with each other. For decades, offices around the world have relied on bulky, bulky fax machines to send important documents to locations around the globe. Even with the advent of the Internet, the need for fax machines continued to exist; After all, how else were customers and employees supposed to submit important documentation and signatures?
But as every office worker knows, the fax machine is something of an archaic animal. It takes several minutes to confirm a fax number, regardless of submitting the documentation itself. Add in the fact that you have to repeat the entire time-consuming process all over again in the event of a mistake, and it’s easy to see why many business experts consider the fax machine one of the biggest productivity wastes in the office. .
That’s where email fax services come in. You see, a PC fax system works by sending the same documentation via email instead of fax; however, the other party still receives a fax. Also, someone can send you a fax and you can receive it by email. A Windows fax system is just another example of how the Internet has made it cheaper and more efficient to run a business.
Docusign Programs: When it comes to email fax services, one of the biggest reasons offices still use faxes is due to the need to send documents that require signatures. However, a recent online invention has made even this small task obsolete, as people no longer have to send documents back and forth just to collect signatures.
Docusign programs work because both parties agree to the legality of an electronic signature. For example, suppose a customer sends you a contract that you must sign. Instead of emailing or mailing it, the customer can upload it to a docusign system, insert their electronic signature, and invite them to do the same. You can use a special electronic signature to sign the document, or you can upload your own signature to the contract. Either way, it’s a surefire example of how the Internet has made it possible to sign contracts and other important paperwork in the space of a heartbeat.
Virtual assistants: If you’ve never used a virtual assistant before, then it’s time to discover one of the best-kept online trade secrets. Virtual assistants are essentially online contractors who agree to do paperwork, write emails, compile documents, and run other important errands, except the relationship exists entirely in the online world. For an hourly wage, your virtual assistant will take care of all your online needs, draft paperwork, and perform other tasks that help your business—and you! – to operate more smoothly.
If you’re interested in hiring a virtual assistant, I recommend heading over to Elance.com, Guru.com, or Craigslist and placing an ad for a virtual assistant. Be sure to specify your hourly wage and project needs, as this will help you weed out virtual assistants that just aren’t right for you and your business needs.
When it comes to running a successful business with less expense, there’s no denying that the Internet has helped the world do it by leaps and bounds. How else could you hire an assistant, send a fax from email, and sign a contract, all without ever leaving the comfort of your own office desk?
