The world is getting more and more inclined towards hosting webinars. However, it is not just the result of the pandemic consequences but also the recognized benefits of hosting webinars. Today, the market is filled with countless webinar platforms, rendering the users with various sets of features and tools. But the question is, how do you choose the right platform for your webinar.
In this blog, we will help you understand: how to choose the right webinar platform. Let us begin by exploring the prerequisite steps before you choose a suitable webinar platform.
Webinar Platform
5 Steps to Choosing the Right Webinar Platform
#1 Set Clear Goals
Predetermine your goals and aim behind organizing the webinar. Not just this, but also define the specific purposes of the event. This step will help you get a clear picture of the webinar and further support the planning & execution process. Not just this, but it will also facilitate you with an understanding of the required features during the event.
#2 Decide Your Budget
The next step before you choose a platform is to decide your budget. Defining a proper budget to organize a webinar will help you choose the platform accordingly. However, an efficient webinar platform provides the users with scalability to help them pick the features & tools based on their budget.
#3 Plan and Strategize the Webinar
Moving ahead, plan and strategize the webinar sessions, flow, and content. Planning each aspect & component of the webinar will help you get a clear picture of the required webinar platform features and tools.
#4 Determine Your Requirements
Based on the previous steps, determine all your webinar requirements. Create a list of everything to further ensure a smooth process of choosing the right webinar platform. Also, include specific networking, interactive, and engagement tools to have a clear goal in mind while picking the right platform.
#5 Contact the Webinar Platforms
Get in touch with the top webinar platforms and choose the one that suits your requirements the best. An advanced webinar platform is well-equipped with various interactive, engaging, and networking features, enabling you to host a matchless webinar. Explore the top features to look for in a platform to host a successful webinar.
15 Key Features to Look for in a Webinar Platform
#1 Ease of Use
Ensure that the platform you choose is easy to understand and use for all the participants at the webinar. Ease of use is one of the most significant features as it plays a vital role in creating an engaging experience for all your attendees.
#2 Multi-Device Compatibility
A webinar can be attended by participants present in any remote locations across the globe. Hence, this also means they might have varied devices to access the webinar. Therefore, ensure that the platform you choose renders multi-device compatibility.
#3 Scalability
A platform provides multiple features and tools under a specified cost. However, an efficient webinar platform can scale the event according to your requirements and budget.
#4 End-to-end customer support
Make sure that the webinar platform provides 24*7 customer support, so you are backed with assistance in case of any urgency or query.
#5 Customization
With the help of customization tools, you can personalize the background according to your webinar theme. This tool also enables you to include branding features at the event.
#6 Access Controls
Access control is another vital feature to ensure the smooth flow & execution of the event. With the help of this feature, the organizer can control the event tools to make sure that there is no mischievous or disturbance during the webinar.
#7 Interactive Tools
Interactivity is one of the most vital features that can define the success prospects of any online event, meeting, or webinar. Mentioned below are some of the most effective interactive tools:
- Live Polls
- 1:1 and group chat
- Live Q&A sessions
- Multi-format communication
- Signature Wall
#8 Engagement Features
The next feature which can determine the efficacy of your event is audience-engagement. An efficient webinar platform renders the users with countless engagement features like gamification, photo booth, social wall, on-event announcements, captivating designs, and a lot more. Audience engagement is significant for any event; therefore, ensure that the platform you choose renders the most engaging features.
#9 Networking Tools
Networking is yet another feature that keeps your participants engaged and adds more value to your event. Mentioned below are the top networking features provided by a webinar platform:
- B2B meeting scheduler
- Business card exchange
- Networking tables
- Advanced search filters
- AI matchmaking
#10 High-Quality Live Stream
The quality of live stream can further define the success possibility of your webinar. It is so because while a high-quality stream can captivate the attention of your attendees, a low-quality stream will repel your attendees.
#11 Multi-Format Content
Choose a platform that enables you to share multi-format content during the webinar. Content plays a significant role in encouraging the attendees to participate and engage in the event. Also, sharing multi-format content like presentations, slideshows, clips, gifs, images, etc., will add more value to your event.
#12 Multi-Lingual Support
The feature of multi-lingual support enables you to reach a wider range of audiences. It is so because, with the help of this feature, you can even reach the participants who speak different languages.
#13 Safe & Secure Platform
Another vital feature to ensure in a webinar platform is that it provides you with complete safety and security. A webinar may discuss and cover topics of crucial importance to an organization. Therefore, make sure that the platform is safe and reliable for all the event data.
#14 Recording Feature and Storage
The recording tool is another vital feature to maximize the life of content as well as make it available on-demand for viewers who wish to access the webinar later.
#15 Event Analytics & Reports
An advanced webinar platform renders the users with efficient event analytics and reports. With the help of this feature, you can not only analyze the efficacy of your webinar plan and strategy but also plan your future webinars more effectively.
Go on and choose a comprehensive webinar platform that suits you the best!
