The terms online conference and online conference platforms are no longer alien terms now. In fact, they have become an integral part of everybody’s life. With everything going online and being liked by all, it is safe to say that online events and all the formats of online events are going to be the future as well.
We all know that online conferences are the virtual adaption of offline conferences and are hosted online from beginning to the end. They depend completely on the internet, and there is no physical presence at these conferences. Talking of technology, they utilize digital platforms called online conference platforms. These platforms are the digital spaces that facilitate the execution of online conferences from the beginning to the end.
In this blog, we will talk about these webinar software’s and the features that make them best suited for the adoption of online conferences.
So, without any ado, let us jump into the blog and learn about online conference platforms and their most prominent features.
What are Online Conference Platforms?
As we mentioned above, online conference platforms are those platforms that facilitate the hosting of online conferences. One can understand them as the digital adaptation of physical venues. Hence, online conference platforms are simply the venues for online conferences. The only difference between an online conference venue and offline one is that the former is created entirely in a digital space.
One of the most notable features of online conference platforms is they are capable of hosting conferences as real as physical conferences. It is due to the astonishing features of these platforms that bridge the gap between the real and virtual world and make virtual conferences seamless.
What are the Top Features of Online Conference Platforms?
1.Customization:
Hosting offline conferences is nothing but playing with colors on a blank canvas. Offline conferences enable organizers to play with their imagination and execute them in their own way. The organizers can promote their brand in any way they want. Similarly, online conference platforms come with customization functionality, which enables the organizers to execute their ideas according to their conference’s needs and objectives.
With this feature, the organizers no longer need to compromise with their ideas and can execute their conferences just the way they want.
2.Recording:
Moving onto the next top feature of online conference software, one can record their entire conference with the help of the recording functionality. Thanks to the fact that the technology we have is so advanced, the organizers get to record their conferences. Did we ever think technology would help us make our events stay long after they are over? No, right. But this is the power of technology. The organizers can now record their conferences and share them with their attendees. Not only this, the recording feature increases the utility of the content delivered in the online event.
3.Engagement Tools:
As we all know, the attention span of human beings is very less, and it is very easy for us to get distracted. Now, it generally doesn’t happen in the case of offline events. Or, even if it does, the attendees cannot leave the conferences easily. But, it happens frequently in the case of online conferences. And, in these cases, the attendees won’t think twice before leaving the event. It can affect audience engagement rates, and it is why virtual conference platforms come with audience engagement tools.
These tools include live chat, live polls, Q&A sessions, surveys, and many other things like it. These tools help the attendees feel included in the online conference and keep them hooked to the online event.
4.Networking Tools:
While many will think it is not true, online events facilitate networking and interactions just the way it happens in the case of offline events. Virtual conference platforms provide users with tools like one-on-one and group chats, video calls, networking lounges, matchmaking, and other various tools. With the help of these tools, the attendees can interact with their fellow attendees in real-time. They can also exchange business cards, and make connections that stay beyond the conference. These tools help them connect with like-minded professionals and expand their network.
Also, not many would believe that online networking tools are efficient and make networking as seamless as their in-person counterparts.
5.Analytics:
Another feature that online conference platforms come with is live analytics. This feature makes online events more efficient than physical conferences. The organizers can measure and analyze the impact of their strategies in the conference. Is it possible for organizers to keep a check on the number of attendees present at a particular segment in a physical conference? No. However, you can do so in the case of online conferences. When we talk about the online conferences and the analytics feature, the organizers get to measure each and every aspect of the conference. They can quantify the success of their conferences; we mean, what is better than that?
6.Easy Access:
Moving onto the next feature, online conferences are easier accessible than in-person conferences. Online conference platforms are easy to access. Also, the organizers and the attendees can access the conference with just a click. Online conferences don’t require the attendees to travel miles before the conference, book tickets, and so on. All thanks to the advanced tools and features available, the attendees need to click on the provided link. This way they will be directed to the conference. It goes without saying that online conference platforms have made it easier for the organizers as well as the attendees to access the conference.
As we talked about it earlier, online conference platforms are the venues for virtual conferences. However, it doesn’t mean that these venues are inefficient at hosting lifelike conferences. Virtual conference platforms make it possible for the organizers to execute their ideas virtually. And that execution comes with less effort and brainstorming.
Almost all the virtual conference platforms come with the features that we have mentioned above. These tools and features come together to assist organizers in delivering an experience that is as real as a physical conference, all with more efficiency and less stress.