Webinar platforms are the online platforms or web spaces that facilitate the execution of webinars. In layman’s language, one can understand them as venues designed in digital space for enabling organizers to host webinars, just the way a physical event is hosted at a physical venue.
Now talking about webinar platforms, there are several online webinar platforms that organizers can use to host webinars. However, numerous webinars are hosted daily, and yours won’t stand out until you use the best webinar platform for the same.
Here comes the most commonly asked question; how do you ensure that the webinar platform you are choosing is the best? By having a clear idea of what you want and what all you should look for in a webinar platform. In this blog, we will share with you some of the best tactics and factors you should consider while choosing a webinar platform.
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Have Clear Objectives:
The first thing one needs to have is a clear idea of the goals one wants to achieve by hosting a webinar. Having clear and defined objectives will help the organizers with every aspect of the planning process. Clear objectives will make it easier for organizers to choose the most appropriate online webinar platform. Not only this but defining the goals will actually be the foundation of the entire planning process.
Let us make it easier for you with an example. Suppose you wish to host a webinar that will help you boost the marketing and branding of your organization. Now, if that is your objective, you should ideally look for an online webinar solution that comes with customization functionality. With customization, you get multiple branding options, and it will help you design your webinar keeping your brand’s color, theme, and other elements in mind.
Therefore, if you are looking for a webinar solution, start by defining your goals and objectives.
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Keep a Budget in Mind:
There are hundreds and thousands of webinar platforms available in the market, and they vary in price. Having a plethora of choices available doesn’t mean you can randomly choose any platform. You need to have a clear and defined budget that you can spend on the platform.
Of course, webinars come with lesser expenses as compared to seminars, but would spending all the money on the platform itself make any sense? No, right?
Though it is advisable to keep the flexibility of 5-10%; you can use this particular budget in case of emergency. Exceeding the budget won’t help you gain any profit; in fact, it would only be a deal of loss. Hence, be very careful while choosing a webinar platform when it comes to money management.
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Decide Your Webinar Hosting Frequency:
The next thing you need to keep in mind is how frequently you wish to host webinars. If you are planning to host a webinar series, look for a platform that comes with subscription plans. A subscription-based platform will only require you to pay one time and enable you to host unlimited webinars. Choosing a one-time webinar platform will require you to pay every time you host a webinar. Hence, keep your webinar hosting frequency in mind while choosing a platform, and choose a platform that goes well with your needs.
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Features You Wish to Have:
Moving ahead with the next factor that one should keep in mind while picking up a webinar platform is the kind of experience you wish to deliver. Having clarity about the experience you are looking to deliver will make it clear about the kind of tools you will need. For example, if you want your audience to have an immersive experience, and they connect with others during the webinar, choose a platform that comes with various audience engagement and networking tools. Also, if you wish to expand the reach of your brand, collaborate with a platform that comes with customization functionality as well as social media integration. Such features will give you ample opportunities to maximize your brand visibility across various platforms. Also, seek a feature like a built-in texting app that can help your audience be notified when you announce a new webinar.
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Review a Few Options:
Now that you have chosen a few platforms, how would you know they are authentic? In short, how would you see the real picture? You will go through their reviews, right? There are a few reviewing platforms that let users post their honest reviews about webinar platforms. You can go through these platforms and understand the experience of the previous users with the webinar software.
Knowing the reviews will make the choice clear for you, and you won’t find it difficult to pick a platform.
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User-Friendliness:
The next and one of the most overlooked factors while choosing a platform is the user-friendliness of the webinar platform. Yes, a webinar platform can be the best option available, but it might not be suitable for you. There are fair chances of a platform having the best tools and features available with zero user-friendliness. Hence, it is always advisable to test the platform yourself before making the final choice. While purchasing clothes, we prefer trying them out; you should do this with the platform also.
Choosing a webinar platform can get really tricky for two main reasons; one is the availability of a plethora of platforms, and the other might be a lack of knowledge and experience. However, this can also get easier if you get to know what are the factors that one should keep in mind while choosing a platform. We hope the guide that we have shared with you helps you in choosing the best webinar platform and hosting an unforgettable webinar experience.