Video Chat or Conference Calls: Which is Right for Meeting with Your Clients?

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Communicating with clients effectively is integral to your business’s success. But with so many modes of communication, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. The last thing you want to do is invest in the wrong technology and have communication problems as a result.

Wondering whether you should go with video chat or teleconferencing? In this article, we’re comparing these two communication solutions, so you can pick the best one for your business.

What You Need to Know About Teleconferencing

Teleconferencing is a form of communication in which parties across multiple locations engage in a telephone meeting. It’s also referred to as telephone conferencing and audio conferencing. With this communication method, people communicate via voice-only or through audio-video communication.

While you aren’t able to see other parties with teleconferencing, you’re able to consume less bandwidth as a result. This is also a great communication for companies that need to confer with multiple parties because they don’t need to all have additional equipment like webcams or servers. This makes teleconferencing a cheap and flexible option for people.

The biggest drawback of teleconferencing is that it lacks a visual element, which some people may prefer. As a result, you’re not able to share screens, video, or files with one another. It is a great method, however, if only a few people need to communicate throughout the call.

What You Need to Know About Video Chat

Video chat refers to meetings held over a live video feed via computer networks. People usually need a webcam, computer, and video conferencing software to participate. With this meeting form, participants can see and hear what others are saying in the live feed, which makes it easier for multiple parties to jump in.

Because video chat uses VoIP services, it’s more bandwidth intensive. It also requires all involved parties to have the technology for it, which can be quite costly if you want to involve multiple offices and locations.

Video chat is great for people who need to share files or presentations with multiple people. It’s also seen as better for collaboration and can foster greater involvement from the people on the call. The greatest drawback of this communication tool is it’s cost as you have to invest in robust conference equipment to do it effectively.

Which Conference Option is Right for You?

When it comes to conference call services, both teleconferencing and video chat are viable options. To pick the right one for your business, you should consider the following things:

  • What you’re willing to pay
  • The size of your business (are you small or large?)
  • What kind of meetings you want to hold
  • What materials you need to communicate

If you simply need to hold conferences to communicate quick updates with the team, teleconferencing is a great option. It’s also great if you need to communicate with a ton of people but you’re not able to heavily in communication costs.

Video chat is the preferred option if you need to spend your conference time sharing visual assets like presentations and computer screens. It’s also great if you work in a more visual industry where your employees tend to respond to video more than audio.

If you’re unsure of which technology option to pick, talk to your teammates. Determine what you’d like these calls to achieve, and then explore both options. Chances are one communication method will be better for your business than the other.

Final Thoughts on Conference Communications

At the end of the day, it’s up to you whether you choose teleconferencing or video chat for your business. But by studying up on the differences between the two, you can choose the option that will benefit your business most.

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Melissa Thompson

Melissa is a mother of 2, lives in Utah, and writes for a multitude of sites. She is currently the EIC of HarcourtHealth.com and writes about health, wellness, and business topics.