In 2020, more companies than ever are saying goodbye to the old model of telephone conferences and meetings. And since the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis began, video conferencing has not only become the preferred method of meeting, but the required method. Thanks to this growth in its usage and new popularity, the enterprise video market – which includes video conferencing – is predicted to become a whopping $19.8 billion industry by 2023.

Of course, with this new technology comes new questions about its usability. As more executives begin to decide whether to heavily invest in video conferencing technology, it’s important to address all of these valid questions about both the pros and cons of video conferences so that any company can make an informed decision about how to move forward.

So, let’s take a look at some of video conferencing’s most common advantages and disadvantages:

Video Conferencing Advantages:

Budget-friendly:

Traditional office conference systems often cost thousands of dollars, and that’s just for in-house conference rooms. When you host a conference or travel to work conferences, you then have to consider additional travel costs, hotels, meals, and more. But by incorporating modern video conferencing technology, you can eliminate all of those costs for a web system that’s easy to use and much more budget-friendly, so you can spend money on what really matters.

Easier collaboration across teams and locations:

These days, more and more offices are leaning into the flexible or remote work model, allowing employees to work from home more often or even full-time. Where in-person meetings used to be a requirement, now employees can easily make it to every meeting, no matter their location. And as some video conferencing platforms allow gamification and live chats, it’s easier than ever for attendees to participate in the conversation.

Increased attendance and productivity:

Because video conferencing platforms allow meetings to be held anytime, anywhere, more employees can attend without needing to worry about traveling or coming into the office. Additionally, meetings can be recorded so that even when someone does miss out, they can still watch the entire meeting later without having to rely on someone else’s note-taking. This creates a more productive and efficient environment for everyone on the team.

Video Conferencing Disadvantages:

Technology and internet issues:

It’s not always easy to embrace new technology, and it takes time for anyone to adjust to using a new platform. Even for those who may learn how to use the technology quickly, the internet isn’t always on our side — sometimes it cuts out or has a time lag. However, these problems can generally be avoided with proper preparation: Offering a team personalized training on how to use the video conferencing platform usually leaves everyone feeling confident on the technology, and internet issues can be avoided by using a fast internet speed and making sure all other tabs are closed to allow for more video bandwidth.

Reading body language:

One perk of in-person conferences and meetings is that it’s generally easier to read both the speakers’ and the audiences’ body language. When audiences in video conferencing platforms have their videos turned off, it’s more difficult for the speaker to know if they’re really engaging or not. However, it’s all about positioning the camera at the proper angles to show body language — and for audiences, it’s important to keep cameras turned on when possible so the speaker can read the room more easily.

Less personal contact:

When video conferencing platforms were just starting out and only consisted of watching someone speak, the lack of socialization between the speakers and participants were certainly a concern. However, modern platforms offer social features like live chats, polls, FAQ sections, and more so that every participant can still achieve the level of socialization necessary for a fun and engaging conference.

Webinar.net has the tools to give you the best of the advantages and to help you overcome any challenges you may fear when using video conferencing technology. 
If you have any questions about how our platform could work for your business, get a free demo!