Let's face it, there are many times when you have a client that you are working with and managing a project that requires a lot of back and forth and this can be a daunting experience.
Initially, it may start with emailing but after a while, it can get ridiculously out of hand or out of control. The client can be working on version c and you are in version b not knowing the client has already moved to another version.
To make it simpler and avoid confusion, sharing folders can make it easy for the client and also you. The great thing is that it doesn’t require any heavy software downloading but just a simple login.
I will introduce you to four file sharing options which are very well known and popular and may already use them for personal reasons that have nothing to do with your business or perhaps have not thought about how it could help in your business.
These four options are all free with the option to upgrade however depending on the amount of data needed will determine if you really need to upgrade.
Dropbox
Probably one of the most popular is Dropbox. When I first started with dropbox I only used it for personal use downloading photos, videos that were taken from my phone.
It was a great way for me to share those with family and friends but never considered it for my business. This is a great option for you.
There is a free and paid option, the free option has 2GB of storage space which is plenty to get you started with your online business.
Also, this will allow you to have access to your files via your computer, phone, or iPad/notepad.
You can also earn more space by tweeting about Dropbox, referring friends, and connecting other applications. The simple setup and the generous amount of free storage space which is 2GB make this a top choice for many people even if sharing files aren’t on their minds.
If you work from multiple computers, need access to files on your mobile phone or iPad, or just want the extra security of knowing your important documents are backed up in “the cloud” then Dropbox is a good option.
If you are in need of more than the 2GB there is an option to upgrade to 100GB. Click here to check their current pricing.
Onedrive
This is also a great alternative as this is a Microsoft product that automatically comes with windows and works great on all your devices that have windows. Because of this your documents and photos are automatically saved to OneDrive.
With your online business, you are able to share and work together with anyone in your work and life.
When you are working on a project saving that work in OneDrive will allow access from any device and if you have a team this also will still allow you to share those project documents with them as well.
Share files as photos using Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and also OneNote.
Google Drive
It is no surprise, Google has its very own document sharing system. Like with Dropbox you are able to access your files on any computer, smartphone, or tablet.
GoogleDrive comes with 15GB of storage and can collaborate these files with your team.
Within GoogleDrive it works with your Gmail account, Google Photos, and any attachments or backup.
Within Gmail it is a breeze to send a file, no more having to save a file and then attach it to email. The other great feature is there are over 100 apps to add to your drive to help you do more.
You can create documents, spreadsheets, charts, maps, and more. Drive also has a scan feature if you have an android for your paper documents to be loaded as a pdf.
There is an option to purchase more space if the 15GB is not enough, but it is plenty to start. To view the pricing for additional storage click here.
MediaFire
Based out of the Lone-Star State they have a saying “everything is bigger in Texas” and this company does not short on the amount of free space for sharing and storing files.
MediaFire offers 10GB of free storage, unlimited downloads and the capability of immediately sharing files once they are uploaded. Files are shared with a link and you have the option to share via social media, email, on your website, or messenger.
There are two paid options; the Professional option and the Business Option. Top features for both are ad-free sharing, downloads 20GB per file, and bulk download that allows documents, large project files, or photos in one Zip file.
There is also the one-time links, which allows you to send a one-time link file and whomever you send the link to will not be able to share that link with anyone else, which is a nice security feature.
The Business option allows fully customizable branding, additional users, and detailed security log.
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There are a variety of other file-sharing services available as well, and chances are as a freelancer your clients will have their own preferences, so you will likely use several in your business.
But to start out, Dropbox, OneDrive, MediaFire, and Google Drive offer a simple solution for collaborating with others or just sharing files between computers.
What file-sharing system are you using in your freelance business?