Why Do It? Reasons for Web Conferencing

Why Do It? Reasons for Web Conferencing

Web conferencing is still a young technology. Initial effort with web conferencing just started late 1990s and is still in the process of improvement and development. Although the technology is still young, businesses and companies are seeing the potential in web conferencing.

Companies are seeing web conferencing as a way to cut down expenses for their employees travel. Instead of sending employees to other locations, employees are now hosting web conferences with clients or with colleagues for collaborations. Also employees get to avoid travel stress as an effect of travel delays, traffic congestion and other travel issues.

According to Diane Dannenfeldt (author of “How to Host a Web Conference”); Desire2Learn Inc., a developer of web-based learning systems based in Ontario used web conferencing to reduce the cost of pre-qualifying sales leads. Normally, it would take them two days and $800 to fly a salesperson to the West Coast for a one-hour meeting that could still result to a no-sale. With web conferencing, they were able to meet with the client and provide presentations about the product without spending money and time as they did before.

Employees are opting for web conferencing since they are able to get the necessary data they would need for presentations or discussions. Necessary data and demonstrations are just a click away. This effective way of rolling out products will definitely interest clients. Clients immediately understand the product after presentations or demonstrations. Such effective communication and demonstration may encourage the client to purchase or subscribe to the product being offered.

Web conferencing also forges a global connection. Employees get to connect and interact with colleagues located in other branches or offices in different locations. Collaboration and cooperation are forged over web conferencing especially for online projects between local and international colleagues. This build stronger employee relationship geared toward productivity.

Some companies cited that web conferencing is an ideal set-up whenever they are demonstrating software, sharing PowerPoint presentations, or training participants on a new software application. Web conferencing is also a great way for showing fast moving audiovisual presentations.

There are companies that noticed that web conferencing to have huge effects in initiating the first contact with a prospected client, without commitment in time and travel costs. Improving the number of prospect clients can also lead to higher possible sales.

Several towns and places hold their meeting through web conferences. They use this technology so they can view and revise their plans based on feedback and programs of other regions. Through this, local government can solicit proposals, plans and feedbacks to improve their way.

Several companies are also switching to web conferencing to include absentee shareholders in their company meetings. Companies would include a live and interactive web conference for their shareholders who are unable to attend in person.

Of course, training is also another reason why companies are starting to think of shifting to web conferencing. Attendees just need to dial in on a conference phone line and log unto a private Web site.

With all of these reasons, it just show that web conferencing can be useful in giving consumers and shareholders information they need during a new product launch, product recall or at a time when there are news that the company needs to be explained or clarified.

Web conferencing shows that even if its still a very young technology, it is already pulling or catching attention of some big boys in the market.