What is web conferencing?

Definition

A web conference is an online meeting between two or more participants in different locations using online conferencing technology.
This enables them to share screens, work on documents together in real time and even see each other with the use of webcams.

Then

Initial web conferencing software was created in the '90s and has come a long way since then.
Now, web conferencing is used in offices around the world for teams to meet and work together no matter where they are.

Now

From it's beginnings with file and screen sharing, it has become a comprehensive tool for business communication as well as a fantastic marketing tool. Web conferencing is being used more and more every year by businesses of all sizes.

Benefits of web conferencing

Save time and money

Save time and money by eliminating the need to travel to and from meetings.

Easier than you think

No need to teach your guests anything, all they need to do is follow a link.

Instant collaboration

Meet and connect with any one, at any time, from anywhere in the world.

Types of web conferencing

Webinars

Webinars are short for 'web-based seminar' and allow you to give, receive and discuss information in real time. Polls and surveys can be used to gather real-time feedback, and Q&A sessions can be conducted at any point.

Webinar presenters can share audio, documents and applications with their webinar attendees and are useful for lectures or information session. Webinars are perfect for holding online presentations, workshops, training and tutorials.

Webcasts

A webcast is a presentation, broadcast over the internet to a large audience. A webcast may either be distributed live or on demand. The transmission is one-way and does not allow interaction between the presenter and the audience.

A webcast might be just a simple audio stream or it might include visual aids such as PowerPoint slides, recorded video clips or live software demonstrations. Webcasts can be planned and recorded in advance and do not have to be live.

Video conferences

Video conferencing allows two or more participants to communicate face-to-face without being in the same room. However, video conferencing is facilitated by the use of specialised hardware including a TV, camera and telephone. This needs to be set up in a dedicated room such as a boardroom or office.

Interactive meetings

A type of web conferencing where you can share screens, see face-to-face and speak with voice or chat with the messaging feature as well as communicate using many other features. With this type of web conferencing you can get the most out of your team meeting.

Share screens

Share your screen and work interactively with web conferencing. Fully interactive meetings allow you to do anything from sharing your screens, sending documents, drawing on a whiteboard to seeing your meeting guests face to face!

Team communication

Geographically-dispersed teams can work together on any project at any time with screen sharing and interactive web conferencing. Collaboration is made easier as you can interact visually with your team.

Working with clients

Share your screen to present design mock-ups to clients to receive feedback and suggested changes on your work, which you can implement in real time. Hold presentations to deliver reports via your chosen program.

Discuss face-to-face

Use your webcam and computer speakers to hold video conferences right at your desk. Substitute some of your in-person meetings for web conferences with webcams to save you and your attendees time travelling to and from meetings.

Product demonstrations

Present your product to investors or buyers through web conferencing. Demonstrate how it works and how to use it to as many people as you want at once.

Safety demonstrations

Sometimes OH&S updates or training can't be done in person. Using webcams with face-to-face web conferencing will mean you can present your safety demonstrations to everyone at once, without having to travel to meet in-person.

Hold webinars

'Webinar' is short for 'web-based seminar'. Presenters can share audio, documents and presentations with their webinar attendees. Here are just a few of the ways you can use webinars to your advantage.

Marketing webinars

Marketers can use webinars to generate leads by providing content that demonstrates their thought leadership in their respective industries. Simply organise your webinar, promote it to your target market and gather the lead information as they register.

Business announcements

Need to announce important business information to your employees, stakeholders or clients? You can do this easily by holding a webinar and inviting your guests to log in. Record your webinar and send it to those who cannot attend. This is useful when you don't require contributions from your guests.

Training sessions within your business

Use webinars to hold training sessions with employees scattered across the world. The most up-to-date training information can be distributed to all employees at the same time ensuring that everyone gets the same information. Your employees simply need to log in at the time of the webinar. Recordings can be distributed to unavailable team members.