Web conferencing and video conferencing are the most common technologies. Knowing the differences between them helps you to choose the best conferencing technology for your business. Let’s learn about the differences between web conferencing and video conferencing.
Web Conferencing vs Video Conferencing
Due to the effects of the pandemic, online conferencing technologies have become popular than ever it was. Different types of conferencing technologies are in the market. Web conferencing and video conferencing are the most common technologies.
Since both of them ensure visual and audio connection, these two terms are easily confused by people. Even if they are similar in the first look, they have lots of differences that make each one of them particular.
Knowing the differences between them helps you to choose the best conferencing technology for your business. Depending on the purpose of your meeting, you will be able to continue your business with the best conferencing technology in the pandemic crisis.
Web Conferencing
Web conferencing is an online conferencing technology that ensures audio and video communication. It can be used with a platform or cloud-based application and also an app on your desktop will be helpful. The easiest way to join meetings is by using links that the host shares before the meeting with all of the participants. Authorization is usually not required. The link will automatically connect you to the meeting without any need for a platform or application.
The main objective of using web conferencing is sharing content such as presenting slides, sharing documents, graphs, and tables during meetings. You can join web conferencing meetings from your computer and smartphone.
Web conferencing is less expensive and more accessible than video conferencing. Web conferencing doesn’t require high-quality internet access, as a result of that, the quality of audio and video quality of web conferencing decrease.
Web conferencing is a handy and useful communication tool for businesses that do not have a saving for online communication technologies. It enables to reduce business travel costs and keep online meeting costs minimum.
The number of participants is usually unlimited. The areas of application of web conferencing are preferred distance education, presentations, and training.
Web conferencing has several types of online conferencing such as webinars and webcasts.
Webcast
Webcast is one of the ways of web conferencing. It is non-interactive, which means only the host is able to present information visually or audibly. The host may use a screen sharing feature for presentations and documents. Each participant can connect to the webcasts from their laptops or smartphones with a provided link by the host. Webcasts are usually live, but it can be recorded in order to give the freedom to the participants to watch it anytime.
A webcast is an effective way to present information to a large number of audiences. It is mostly preferred for distance education.
Webinar
A webinar is the short version of a “web-based seminar”. It is one of the types of web conferencing that enables communication and interaction between hosts and participants during meetings. Unlike webcast, webinar makes interactive communication possible. In this way, the host and participants have two-way communication.
Webinar enables content sharing such as visuals, videos, and documents. Live chat and Q&A sessions may increase the efficiency of the meeting. A webinar is a handy conferencing tool for sharing documents and interacting with other participants.
A webinar is comforting to all participants, including hosts, by enabling two-way real-time communication. It can also be useful when collaborating on projects.
Video Conferencing
It can be said that video conferencing is the most popular online conferencing technology. Video conferencing enables live communication without any physical interaction.
Video conferencing is more costly than web conferencing because it requires video conferencing equipment including a display, video conferencing endpoint that works as phone make the call, and a camera. It enables a high quality of video and audio up to 4K Ultra HD. Not only the host but also participants can share their screen during the meeting.
The disadvantage of video conferencing is the number of participants. It depends on the server’s capacity. The video conferencing server usually limits it. It can be a problem when having a meeting with several clients or board members.
As it is seen, it is a way more complicated set up than web conferencing, and it requires more investment. If a company that plans to ensure high quality of video and audio, and high security to their clients, investing in video conferencing technology and its equipment may be a wise move for their business during the pandemic.
Video conferencing creates a digital environment that resembles real face-to-face communication the most by ensuring a high-quality video and audio connection.
How to choose the best fit for your business?
In order to ensure your business continuity during the COVID-19 crisis, choosing the best fit for your meetings is essential. But there is no need to use one of the conferencing technologies for all of your meetings. Based on your meeting’s objectives, you can switch to another conferencing technology.
There are fundamental questions that you should answer before any meeting.
- Is a non-interactive presentation enough?
If your answer is yes, the webcast will be the best fit for your meeting. With a large number of audiences, the webcast will be a right choice anytime.
- Is there any need to share content with participants?
To clarify your presentation, using visuals and sharing documents such as videos, presentations, and graphics will attract participants’ attention to the meeting. Two-way interaction enables the host to interact with participants. If communication is an essential key to success in your meeting, the webinar will be beneficial.
- How much amount of money do you invest in online conferencing technologies?
Web conferencing and video conferencing have different amounts of expense. Planning your investment in the first place can help decide which to use. If you want to ensure a high quality of video and audio and security, video conferencing will assist you to continue your business successfully.
