If you run an online store or business, then you know how important it can be to have a webinar for customers to attend. However, it’s not easy to pull off and can be quite expensive. Luckily, there are solutions to help you host the perfect online marketing webinar without breaking the bank. In this post, we’ll discuss 10 things you should look for in a webinar host so you can choose the right solution for your business needs.
1. Scalability
Scalability is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a webinar host, as you’ll want to be sure that they can accommodate your increasing audience. If you’re not sure what scalability means, it’s basically the ability of your webinar host to grow with you and your audience. You want to choose a webinar host that is known for having a scalable architecture and technology that is able to meet your growing demands. The better the scalability of your webinar host, the less anxious you’ll feel about switching vendors later on if you decide to do so. For instance, Shopify has a dedicated team of professionals who work solely on improving their product’s scalability and performance so they can accommodate their increasing global customer base. Knowing that these individuals are constantly investing in their product to make it better is what makes them the go-to choice for brands who want to hold webinars.
2. Cost
The cost of your webinar is one of the main factors that will determine whether or not you can afford to hold a particular event. To keep your expenses low, try finding a free or low cost webinar hosting solution. Alternatively, look for webinar offers from reputable companies who know how to negotiate with businesses who want to hold special events. If you’re looking for a more expensive alternative, make sure you’re prepared to spend thousands of dollars on a single webinar. Having a reliable and cost-effective webinar host is essential for business owners who want to hold online marketing events but don’t have the budget to do so.
3. Technical Support
You’ll need a webinar host that is equipped with excellent support in case you need help running your event. Ideally, you’ll want a webinar host that is known for providing world-class support. To ensure that you’re getting what you pay for, you should look for a webinar host who is willing to provide 24/7 support by phone or live chat. Depending on your needs, you may want to choose a webinar host that provides ticketing, email delivery, or an online store. The level of support that you’ll receive will determine which solution is the best for your business.
4. Interface
The interface of your webinar host is one more important factor to consider. You’ll want to ensure that the platform is user-friendly and has all the necessary functionality that you need for your event. To begin with, you’ll want to make sure that the login process is simple and that navigating the site is easy. In addition, you’ll want your webinar host to have a mobile-friendly design that can be accessed from all devices. If your attendees are using modern tablets and mobile devices, you’ll want to choose a webinar host that supports all of these devices so they don’t have any trouble using your content during the event.
5. Features
The features of your webinar host are what makes it special and gives it an edge over the competition. To begin with, you’ll want to make sure that the solution has all the features that you need for your event. If your goal is to build an audience, you’ll want to choose a webinar host with a built-in audience or a feature that helps you gather and connect with potential attendees. To keep your expenses low, try finding a feature-packed webinar host that has all the essentials plus a few extras. The more features that your webinar host has, the less you’ll have to purchase from elsewhere to complete your event.
6. Security
The security of your webinar is one more important factor to consider. You’ll want to ensure that your personal information is completely protected and that the platform is not vulnerable to hackers. If your goal is to build a large and active audience, you’ll want to choose a webinar host with a high level of security. One way to do this is by having a PCI DSS compliant service provider handle the payment processing for your event. PCI DSS is a framework that establishes financial security standards for retail businesses that accept credit cards so your personal and financial information is not at risk during online transactions. In addition to this, you’ll want to make sure that all your personal information is hidden from public view and only available to those who need to know. You can use tools like Cloudflare to protect your site from cyber-attacks and have all the indicators turned off so even the most determined hackers can’t find your personal information.
7. Backup & Restore
Your webinar host should be able to provide a reliable means of backing up your data in case something happens. To prevent downtime and have your event up and running as soon as possible, you’ll want a means of quickly restoring your data if need be. If you’re not sure what kind of backup plan your webinar host has, ask them directly. The better the backup and restore functionality, the less stressed you’ll feel about the possibility of something going wrong during your event. As with all other aspects of your event, you’ll want to choose a webinar host that is available and has the ability to provide exceptional service.
8. Reporting & Analytics
The reporting & analytics of your webinar host is one more important factor to consider. You’ll want to ensure that all your activity is recorded and that there are several ways to access this data. If your goal is to build an audience, you’ll want to choose a webinar host with a built-in audience that has all the necessary analytics available. Alternatively, you can use tools like Google Analytics to track the behavior of your site visitors and ensure that you’re reaching your target audience. With a little planning and understanding of how analytics work, you can get a lot of value from this feature.
9. SLAs (Service Levels Agreements)
The SLAs (Service Levels Agreements) of your webinar host is one more important factor to consider. You’ll want to ensure that you’re not paying for features that you don’t need or valueless perks that you’re not getting enough value out of. To keep your expenses low, try finding a webinar host that has a flexible SLA so you can try first and ask questions later without worrying about whether or not you’ll like their service. The better the SLA, the less anxious you’ll feel about choosing this host compared to the rest of the competition.
10. Mobile
Being mobile is now a common element of everyone’s daily life. With the rise of mobile applications and the constant evolution of mobile technology, your audience is constantly connected and available anywhere at any time. To ensure that everyone can take part in your event regardless of whether they’re connected to the internet or not, you’ll want to choose a webinar host that is mobile-friendly and has all the functionalities that you need from a regular website. Once again, the key is in the features and how accessible they are from a mobile device. If your attendees are using modern tablets and mobile devices, you’ll want to choose a webinar host that supports all of these devices so they don’t have any trouble using your content during the event.
Choosing a reliable and cost-effective webinar host that has all the necessary features for your event can be quite difficult. If you want to host an online marketing event, these individuals can help you pull it off and feel confident that you made the right choice for your business.