Negosentro| Top 10 Online Platforms to Host a Virtual Roundtable |The events industry was completely transformed over the past few months with companies having to adapt to a complete change of scenario to keep operations running.
A few months ago, American rapper and songwriter Travis Scott held his first live virtual concert on the popular battle royale game Fortnite and more than 27 million people worldwide tuned-in to the virtual event that only lasted about 10 minutes.
But it wasn’t just artists who moved their events online, companies of all sizes had to figure out how to still hold their 2020 events (including conference, product launches, roundtables, panel discussions etc) into the virtual world. What were the best platforms to host online events?
The Ortus Club is a good example of an events and marketing company that looked into adding virtual events into their portfolio almost immediately after the pandemic (and consequent lockdowns) hit countries all over the world. However, this needed a few trials and errors especially when it came to choosing the right platform and thereafter, building trust in virtual teams for productive associations.
Just like choosing the perfect venue to welcome your guest, selecting the perfect online platform needs thorough research as each platform may offer different functionalities and security measures. The size of your audience, the experience you’re looking to create and the type of program you intend to offer are all aspects that you need to keep in mind while selecting an online event platform. Omegle is a free online chat website that allows users to socialize with others without the need to register. Here is a list worth exploring!
Microsoft 365
Microsoft offers a variety of services with this cloud-based app. Centered around business productivity, this is the ultimate package for any enterprise looking to transfer operations virtually. With familiar programs like Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and the popular Skype– Microsoft 365 offers an efficient and timely bundle at a reasonable price.
Zoom
Zoom has been a staple for the Ortus Club’s virtual events. Their video conferencing enables easy navigation for both the hosts, speakers, moderators and guests. The Zoom Rooms allow “breakout” features which split events into smaller sessions which are perfect for networking. The Zoom Webinar, on the other hand, creates space for a bigger audience – which transcends well for our virtual masterclasses. However, it is important to note that Zoom has received a handful of bad press due to its security and privacy issues. Thus, choosing this tool lies in your responsibility depending on the event’s intimacy.
Google Meet & Hangout
Majority of our team has been able to use this tool since it is notable for the 1-on-1 features. Google Meets assist in meetings, presentations or virtual training which are needed for day-to-day operations. In any case, a team member fails to show up, a “recording” feature can be saved for future purposes.
On24
On 24 markets their platforms for webcasting, virtual event and environment technology. They have added a ton of new features this year including HTML5. With a user-friendly interface, On24 provides a streamlined self-service process in creating webinars. You have the option to save webinar templates that you wish to use in the future. If you’re experiencing any problems, their online chat and support ticket systems are readily available.
WebinarJam
Trusted by over 50,000 customers, WebinarJam offers a simple way to increase sales and attendance. The Webinar system produces live streams that have options to registrations or replay. It is the ideal platform for large companies since it also offers collaboration tools, mobile integration and screen sharing.
Crowdcast
Crowdcast gives the most engaging and user-friendly live streaming platform known today. Most of the events that you can arrange using this tool calls for more involvement and participation. They offer a browser-based solution for interactive webinars, live Q&As, workshops and essentially any online event that fits your needs. Crowdcasts’ features include live chat, polls, time-stamped Q&As and face-to-face interaction.
Livestorm
Livestorm was featured in the Top 20 Best Webinar Softwares by Capterra. The platform is widely used as a solution for customer training demos, virtual events, live videos and pre-recorded webinars. Their tools also include a gorgeous layout for registration pages and emails, making any project director’s life a breeze.
HeySummit
Like its name, HeySummit allows efficient and effective virtual summits that can be catered by its built-in organisational and marketing tools. The beautiful interface makes it easy to navigate through the platform, saving you time and resources when it comes to organising a virtual event. HeySummit is used globally for live & pre-recorded virtual events, talk series, video libraries, online courses, product showcases and more.
Hopin
Hopin aims to recreate the same feeling of physical, in-person event experience online. Their innovative features include live videos, an option to exchange “virtual business cards”, breakout sessions, live chats, polls and a chance to explore interactive expo areas.
Whereby
For a more laid-back and easy-to-use tool, Whereby provides in-browser video meetings with no downloads or logins necessary. This platform fits perfectly for small to medium-sized industries that demand an effortless way to connect to partners, clients and teammates. No log-ins or downloads required as you can access all video meetings through your browser.
