You may have wondered what is WeTransfer and how it works, this platform is so fashionable and many users talk about it.
And no wonder, as you will see later in this article, this is one of the tools most used by all kinds of professionals who, like me, work in digital marketing, have an online business, etc..
In our industry, it is very common to be continuously managing and sharing all types of files over the Internet, both by email and through other digital channels.
Taking into account this daily situation, before moving on and explaining how this platform works, it is convenient to make a bullet point and explain what is WeTransfer, so that, through its definition, you can better understand how it can help you:
What is WeTransfer and what is it for?
WeTransfer is a cloud-based online platform designed to allow you to transfer different types of files for free to other users on the Internet.
Its use is very simple and increasingly frequent, especially because it allows you to send very large or heavy files in a very convenient, easy and 100% effective.
In addition, the service allows you to send the selected items to one or more people via email only.
It is a service that can be compared, a priori, with others such as “DRIVE”, “iCloud” or “Dropbox”, but has some different features (which you will see later in this article).
With WeTransfer, can I send very large files to my contacts for free?
I’m sure you’ve found yourself needing to send photos, videos, PDF files or any other particularly large and heavy digital item to colleagues or friends every now and then.
And, by wanting to attach them by email, they’ve been bounced off you and then you’ve wasted time searching for an effective alternative so you can do it without restrictions.
This is precisely the great attraction of this tool that, unlike other platforms such as Google Gmail, which allows you to send files up to 25 Mb, with WeTransfer (WE) you can do it for free with up to 2 Gb of capacity.
To be more precise, you could also do it with your Google Account, but in this case it would have to be via Google Drive, saving your files in this virtual drive beforehand.
What is “WeTransfer Free” and how does it work?
This is the free version of this web project, which I have just defined for you. To use it, you simply need to enter “OFFICIAL WEBSITE“, upload the files and send them to the recipients who need the document in question.
Please note that the free version allows a maximum of 20 recipients. You also have the option of attaching some kind of message, just like a normal email.
Once they have downloaded them, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt in your email account to certify that they have done so. If, on the other hand, they don’t and forget about the file, the platform will also send you an email telling you that they haven’t opened it.
The service is completely free for sending files that do not exceed 2 GB in weight.
This ensures an almost professional use, which is why it is a very popular service in the advertising and communication sector: designers, printers, creatives, photographers, publishers and many more.
If this is not enough and you need more functionality and some customized tools, you can use the account in its paid version or also called “Plus” paying about ten dollars a month.
Still don’t know what this variant is about? I’ll introduce you to her now:
What is “WeTransfer Plus” and how does it work?
This version offers you 100 GB of storage in your own custom cloud, plus the transfer of files of an equivalent weight of 20 GB and password encryption protection.
You can also send documents to 100 different recipients in one click.
With “WeTransfer Plus”, you can customize the background, the presentation of the submission, the URL and a long list of options, to have it at any time to your liking.
All this for 12€ per month, although if you make a single payment, you will pay around 10€ per month, that is, a single payment of 120€.
What are the advantages of using the WeTransfer platform?
Taking into account the above definition I have given you of it and before going on to explain step by step how it works, I would like you to understand some of its main advantages:
► You do not need to create an account
Compared to other cloud-based platforms, what makes the difference between the cloud and other platforms is that it does not require you to create an account or register to send a file.
Nor does the person receiving it need to take any action prior to receiving or downloading it.
This, without a doubt, is one of the great benefits it offers, since you don’t need to do any kind of previous action such as filling in a form, confirming your email account or any other similar thing, which only wastes our time.
► You can advertise your business on your wallpapers
Such well-known brands as Nike, Netflix or Vimeo have already tried it.
Another advantage is that, given the immense number of active users who use it every day to share all kinds of digital elements, it is an ideal showcase to advertise your own business.
In addition to the above-mentioned function, you have the possibility of appearing in the attractive and eye-catching wallpapers that are shown to users while the files are loading correctly.
► The upload of your files is immediate
You can send or receive the files or documents you need in a few moments with two simple actions: uploading items and sending them.
As I have already told you, this service is used to send documents (especially large ones) to any recipient. In a simple and direct way you can send them to a printer, a publisher, a supplier or a collaborator, to anyone.
Furthermore, you should not have to wait a time proportional to the weight of these, because with other tools of yesteryear, if we wanted to send a total of, for example, 10 Gb, we had to wait hours for them to be attached to the platform in question.
How does WeTransfer work step by step?
Although I have already told you some of the functions and ways to act with this tool, here I will explain step by step how you can send files with it:
1º. Access WeTransfer
To use this service you must access its website (https://wetransfer.com/) by clicking HERE.
Once there, you must select between the free (default) or paid option.
If you want to choose the free and unregistered option, you must click on the “free” service, but if you want to access the payment plan, you must opt for “Wetransfer Plus”.
It is likely that, when you log in a second time, if you have already chosen the “free” option for the first time, it will automatically show you its default free version.
2º. Accept their privacy policy
You will now be on a screen where you have to read and accept the terms and conditions of the service. This is usually a procedure that few people read, but it is always advisable to find out what you are accepting.
Once you have read it, click on the “OK” button and you will be taken to the screen where you can start sending your messages.
3º. Send your files
Now comes the time when you can set up the delivery. To do this, click on the “+” icon where it says “Add more files” on the left side of the screen.
This is when you open the browser for the operating system you have on your computer, either Mac or Windows, and it will allow you to access the item you want to send.
Remember that when using a free version, you have a maximum of 2 GB per shipment.
In the lower part of the box you will also see an icon with three dots,”…”, when you click on them you will see a menu, in which you can decide how you want to send the file. You can decide whether it is in the form of a link or an e-mail.
By selecting the link you will effectively obtain a link that you will be able to share through a messaging application such as WhatsApp or any other of the social networks most used by you or the recipient.
If, on the other hand, you decide to send it via e-mail, you must add both your recipient’s e-mail address and your own, so that that person can know who the sender of the message is.
Once all three fields have been filled in, click on the “Send” button and your files will be sent.
In this menu, you can also see two options for setting the item’s expiration date. This is something you can modify in the premium or paid version, but not in the free version which, as I said before, is two weeks.
4º. File Transfer
Once you have completed the step you have decided on, the word “Transferring” will appear on the screen. It will appear as a percentage and you will have to wait until it is 100% complete.
This way, you can be sure that the element has been transferred completely and securely. Afterwards, the service itself will ask you if you want to send any other type of file.
If yes, you must perform the same steps, but if you have no more items to submit and you are finished, you can close the website.
What if I am the recipient of a file transfer?
If you are the receiver or recipient of a file sent by this tool for free, you will receive a link in your email.
The sender of this email is the platform itself and all you have to do is click on that link to download the files to your computer.
When this process is done, the original sender automatically receives an email confirming that the recipient has downloaded the files correctly, as you can see from the image above.
Download WeTransfer applications
You can also use their free applications for Mac, Chrome, iOS and Android. They will allow you to take WeTransfer to any place you need.
- Download the Mac application HERE.
- HERE download the extension for Chrome.
- Application for iOS downloadable from HERE.
- Use the Android App by downloading it HERE.
What are the drawbacks of using WeTransfer?
Despite the great convenience of using this tool online, it is possible that when using it, you should also consider these handicaps that could condition you:
► Content is deleted after a few days
Depending on whether you are using “WeTransfer Free” or “WeTransfer Plus”, all the content you upload to your database is volatile, i.e. it will definitely disappear from this cloud after a few days.
Therefore, you should try to download the files you receive as soon as possible and vice versa, if you are the sender.
Otherwise, you will have to reload those files.
► Your confidential files will be uploaded to the network
Although, it is true that the download link will only be available to you and the recipient, please note that these attachments will also be uploaded on the Internet.
In the unlikely event that either party hackes into your email, it will be available to anyone.
Like I said, this possibility is a long shot, but I still think it’s a good thing you’re looking at it.
Conclusions
We-Transfer is an essential service because of its simplicity, speed, elegance and above all because, as you can see from this article, it does not require uncomfortable registrations, both for sending and receiving files.
But if your profession requires you to send many large or confidential files on a regular basis, you can opt for a premium version (“WeTransfer Plus”), where you can password-protect the transfer of files that require greater security.
In short, this tool shows us that new technologies are only making progress. They make things easier for us and make us more productive in all areas, including our relationship with customers and employees.
Did you know WeTransfer and its versatility for sharing all kinds of large files over the Internet?
Share your impression of this useful platform with me and, if you think someone might find it useful, share this article with your friends.