Top 8 Features to Look for when Choosing a Web Conference Platform

Web conference platforms or software have been around for quite some time now. Over the years, they have steadily improved having gained new features that make the user experience better. If you are new to using a web conference software, what features should you be looking for? How are you supposed to perceive and assess the loads of new features being touted by the different platforms available?

The following are 8 of the most important features a web conference platform should have. As much as possible, the software or platform you choose should have all of these.

1. Operating System Compatibility and Software Support

You have to make sure that the web conferencing software you choose can run in almost all operating systems. Not everyone is on a Mac or a Windows computer. It’s important to use a platform that works for everyone. If you choose something browser-based, be sure that you have the necessary software to run it. Some web conferencing systems require advanced HTML extensions or browser add-ons.  It is also important to make sure that you will be able to run the application without difficulties. Sometimes you may be able to run the application but you will encounter crashing, freezing, or lagging.

2. Ease of Use

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a web conferencing software is the user interface, whether or not it’s something easy to use or quick to learn. It’s important to remember that web conferences are not only being conducted by people who are adept with technology. Not every manager or personnel knows how to figure out how to make advanced computer applications work. That’s why it’s important to choose a platform that is easy to use. All of the frequently used functions should be easily accessible on one page. The layout and mechanisms for using the buttons or interactive items on the user interface should be easy to learn or be something familiar to most computer users. There are many reviews of online meeting or web conferencing software online and they can offer great insights regarding ease of use.

3. Well-Organized and Responsive Interface

This is largely related to the “ease of use” feature but it’s worth listing it as a different item for emphasis. In addition to being easy to learn and get acquainted with, it’s also important to have an interface that is well-organized. This is to ensure efficiency. As much as possible, everything should be easily accessible in just one page, that the need to click through tabs or switch to different windows is eliminated. There has to be some sort of “navigation bar” to serve as an anchor that persistently leads a user to the base interface. However, these should not compromise the responsiveness of the interface. It’s useless having everything easily accessible in one page if stutters are regularly encountered because all features have been crammed in one page.

4. Quick Full Desktop Sharing and Control

Most web conferencing applications nowadays already provide the ability to fully share and control desktops. This is not enough, though. It’s important that the desktop sharing and control function is well-optimized so it does not suffer from stuttering or occasional crashing. As much as possible there should be an option to lower the resolution or framerate of the desktop sharing to cope with slow connections. It would be frustrating having the ability to share everything visible on a desktop if the streaming keeps freezing. Anyway, the purpose of having a desktop sharing function is to make it easy to do demonstrations or presentations. It’s easier running presentations or illustrations locally on a computer and simply sharing the visuals of what’s going on with the desktop screen instead of using a separate application or using the camera for the presentation or demonstration.

5. File Sharing

File or document sharing is inevitable when doing discussions, webinars, or web conferences. Instead of separately emailing documents, it would be easier to transfer files through the web conferencing platform. This file sharing system doesn’t necessarily have to be native to the platform, though. It could be an integrated service like Dropbox. What’s important is the convenient faculty to share files while doing the discussions.

6. Different Ways for Communication

Communication should not be limited to simply “audio-video calling” while doing the conference. While it’s true that this is the primary reason for using a web conferencing platform, it’s advantageous having other ways to communicate. Private messaging, private chat, and moderated Q&A are good examples of these other ways for communication. Instead of employing additional applications to send quick messages, it would be great to be able to send IMs through the web conferencing platform. It’s useful for conference participants to have the ability to “silently” communicate with specific participants while the conference is going on to clarify things or ask questions without interrupting the whole session. Having a moderated chat session is also a great way for consensus-building.

7. Integration

It’s a rarity finding a software that can provide everything you need and want. You may not be able to find a web conferencing platform that has everything you require and desire. However, it would be possible to obtain new features if the web conferencing platform you choose supports app integrations. Some web conferencing platforms like provides the API necessary to enable the integration of other services or apps. With integration support, you can incorporate a CRM or CMS system, for example, so you can create and manage meetings conveniently within the platform. Integration enables flexibility and versatility.

8. Customizability

This is not a seriously important feature but it would definitely be great if you can customize the look of your web conferencing platform. This feature is particularly excellent for enterprises that are trying to build their brand image. The ability to customize can help promote a company’s brand or corporate image to customers and potential business partners or investors.

Of course, this list already assumes that the web conferencing platform being considered is reliable and secure. It should be able to facilitate smooth and well-protected webinars or web conferences. The 8 points mentioned above should be considered on top of reliability, which infers good audio and video quality, very minimal downtimes, and great responsiveness.