The Best Webinar Software Solutions of 2018

What to Look For in a Webinar Conferencing Provider

Now, not all Webinar solutions are made equal. Some Webinar tools will be browser-based, while others will require desktop-based applications. Many Webinar solutions will also place limitations on the number of attendees your business can host at one time. Your business will need to asses exactly what it needs in a Webinar software solution to find a provider that best matches. Overall, these are some quick factors we recommend your business should consider before purchasing a Webinar solution.

1. Browser Based Webinar Software

Not all Webinar solutions are created equally, and one major difference will be desktop-based vs browser based solutions. Your best bet would be to find a browser based webinar provider, one that preferably utilizes WebRTC to ensure super simple setup. With a browser-based webinar software, your audience does not need to download or install any programs or plug-ins, they simply direct their browser to the proper webpage.

2. Attendance Limitations

One major differentiating factor between different Webinar software providers will be the audience size. Some providers offer solutions that are better designed for smaller Webinars with only a handful of viewers, enabling a more personalized and interactive experience. Other Webinar providers will make it possible to host up to 500 attendees at once.  Depending on what your business needs, there are different providers for the job.

3. Reporting and Metrics

Now its one thing to host webinars week after week and hope there is an audience. Its another thing to analyze the data to ensure that your webinars are successful. Some providers will report on different metrics, including audience size, questions asked, lead scoring, and potentially even more in depth information, like when audience members decided to close out of your webinar. This crucial data will help your business improve future presentations.

4. Mobile Accessibility

Not everyone is able to sit in front of a computer, especially in this constantly mobile world we find ourselves in. It is important to not only find a web-based webinar provider, but one that also makes it possible for mobile attendance to your presentations. Most of us are on our cell phones all day, and mobile support helps capture another large demographic of potential viewers.

5. Webinar Archive

It is important to have an archive of recordings of all your previous webinar presentations. With an archive of previous webinars, way your business can look back at to learn how to improve in the future. Your business could also organize this archive into a content library, allowing your existing clients and users to look back at previous webinars that they may have missed to learn more.

Features to Consider

While many providers will offer different solutions, generally, feature lists will be similar when cross shopping the market. However, there are some critical features that we think every business should utilize. This is just a quick list of what we feel to be the most important factors of any Webinar software solution.

1. Video Conferencing

At its most basic element, webinars can be hosted through voice only, with some visual elements to aid the presentation. However, the most successful webinars will also include video conferencing, enabling a much more personalized and meaningful connection between the host and audience. Not every use case will need to leverage video, but it’s a great way to showcase products and demonstrations.

2. Screen Sharing Capability

Arguably even more important than video conferencing would be screen sharing capability. With screen sharing, your business can offer hands-on software demonstrations and presentations, enabling higher levels of training and technical support. Instead of trying to talk someone through your app, simply show them exactly what it is you are trying to explain.

3. Upload Files During Meetings

Along with screen sharing and video conferencing, the ability to upload files is another critical feature to make your webinars that much more effective. With file sharing, the webinar host can drop in images, videos, word documents or even spread sheets with more information for the audience.

4. Pop up Calls to Action

By placing call to action pop-ups right inside the webinar, your business can help close even more leads and drive even more sales. For example, when discussing a new product, the host could trigger a pop-up that directs the audience to the purchase page. You could also use pop-ups to create polls and ask the audience questions to drive even more interaction.

5. Chat and Question Support

A webinar shouldn’t only be a one way presentation, but rather a conversation between the audience and the host. With chat and question support, attendees can chime in and ask questions, or respond directly to those presenting. Chat and question support also drives more interaction between hosts and the audience.

Some Final Thoughts on Webinar Software

Webinar software enable your business to connect with both existing and new clients in entirely new ways. Whether your business is looking to promote a new product, or offer in-depth training and assistance, utilizing the right webinar software will make that a breeze.

However, not all solutions are created equally. Your business should take a long, hard look at exactly what a provider offers with their solution, and understand what your business is looking for before you start shopping. We absolutely recommend looking for a provider that offers video conferencing and screen sharing capabilities, as well as a browser-based deployment. Lastly, you can balance out the different pricing that webinar software costs and figure out which one is most conducive to your business.