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Free Video Conferencing
Top 5 Free Web Conference Providers
Web conferencing has become enormously popular. The advent of high-speed Internet connectivity and the continued decentralization of businesses have necessitated the development of accurate, powerful, affordable web conferencing capabilities. While you will find that most web conference providers charge a considerable fee for their services, there are a few free services that you can use to enable better savings for your small business.
What companies offer free video conferencing? Are these companies worth the time? Here are some of the top free providers of web conferencing services:
- DimDim
- ooVoo
- Vyew
- Skype
- Yugma
What should you look for when you choose a free provider? First, you shouldn't need to sacrifice functionality in order to save a few dollars. However, it is important to consider several different items when comparing 'free' providers. Unfortunately, not all providers are created equal. While the five listed above offer excellent benefits, other unscrupulous companies lure you in with promises of free web conferencing, only to try to sell you on a monthly service subscription. How do you tell the difference in a quality provider and one that is only going to cost you money?
First, ensure that the service is not free only during a brief trial period. While you can certainly use the trail period to your benefit, you will still have to find another solution once that trial period ends. Second, ensure that the company does not 'cripple' functionality for their free version. Some providers offer free web conferencing, but they remove some of the valuable features, reserving these for paying customers only.
You will also have to ensure that the company uses a secure platform and that there is no download required. This does not mean that all companies that require you to download a software solution should be avoided, but it is certainly a cause for concern. Any time you install a piece of software on your computer, you are putting your files and information at risk, especially with some of the little-known service providers on the Internet.
Finally, ensure that you research each potential company prior to making your choice. This will enable you to find the best mixture of savings and power, tools and benefits for your needs. Web conferencing can be a dramatic benefit for your business, saving you an enormous amount of time and money, but you must choose the right provider to reap these benefits.