Dropbox is a cloud storage program that offers a great way for you to store and access your data from virtually anywhere with an internet connection. It is designed for people that want to access their files from anywhere, but don’t like to carry around a thumb drive or email files to their own email address. It has become increasingly popular, as more and more people are moving to the cloud. If you are looking for something that will help you to manage your files easier, then it may be something worth looking into. Let’s take a closer look at how it works, and how it may benefit you.
How Dropbox Works
When you create a Dropbox account, it gives you a folder that will sync with all of your devices. When you save a file, you will simply add it to your Dropbox folder on your desktop, or on any of your other devices. It doesn’t require you to have a large storage space on your desktop, because the data is stored virtually through the cloud. It works on a variety of devices, including PCs, Macs, iPhones, iPads, and many Android devices, among others.
Accessing Your Dropbox Account
Accessing your account is not difficult. In fact, when you set your account up, you will be able to sync the folder on all devices. Then, when you login to your account, whether you are on your desktop or on your mobile device, you will be able to view the folder and open the documents. You can even log in from another computer, go to Dropbox.com, and login to your account to view your folders. You don’t even have to keep the icon on your desktop, although this is the easiest way to drag and drop files to be saved and synced. It is really quite simple, and anyone with any background with computers should be able to do it.
The Benefits of Using Dropbox
Dropbox offers a variety of benefits. While it is obviously a great place to store your data because it allows you to access it anywhere, it has other benefits that you should consider as well:
- You can store audio, video, photo, and other document types.
- You can sync devices across the globe, with just the click of a button.
- You can recover your deleted files for up to 30 days, or longer with a paid account.
- You can use the software to share files and folders with friends and family.
- You always have a backup of your data, even if you lose it on a particular device.
As you can see, Dropbox is really an effective tool that can be used for a variety of different reasons. If it isn’t something that you have tried before, then it may be time for you to take a look into it. It could really prove beneficial to you- even if you just use it as a way to backup your files virtually so that you don’t have to worry about losing important documents in the event that your computer is stolen, damaged, or compromised. It is also safe to use, and your data is always secure.
Share Files Easily
One of the biggest advantages is the file sharing. Any time you want to share a file with someone, as long as they have a Dropbox account, you can just click share and choose the folder or file. It shares instantly. You can even make shared folders that you share with everyone in your family, which is a great way to share family photos. It is also great for business use, because it allows you to share your information with everyone in the workplace with ease. It is an essential tool for businesses, for sure, as well as individuals.
Pricing Structures
So, just how much does Dropbox cost? If you look into it, you will find that they offer a free version. This gives you up to 2GB of storage space, and you don’t have to pay anything for it. This is sometimes enough for some people, and they even have a great referral program that allows you to earn more storage space.
They also offer paid memberships, and they are as follows:
- 100GB for $9.99/mo or $99/year
- 200GB for $19.99/mo or $199/year
- 500GB for $49.99/mo or $499/year
For teams that need a great deal of storage space, they also have the Dropbox Teams option, which costs roughly $795 annually. It can be used by up to 5 users, and it offers a terabyte of storage space. It also offers 200GB of additional storage space for any new users that may be added later. These added users are $125 annually.
How to Get Started
To get started with Dropbox, you will start by downloading the software to your computer. You will also want to get the apps on your mobile devices. Register for your account and install the folder onto your desktop. You will then be ready to start using the program, and start reaping the benefits. It only takes just a few minutes to download it.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, Dropbox can really be a great tool. It is easy to download, and easy to use. It is designed so that just about anyone that uses a computer should be able to use it. It offers free storage options for those that want to try it out, or those that just simply don’t need a lot of storage space. It is something that people wish they had around many years ago, because it really just helps to make life a lot easier. You always have your files on the go, and you can share with just a few clicks. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.
