Web-Conferencing Features

The features of a typical web-conference may include the following:

 File sharing – Is the ability to let users download files through the internet and through computer networks. It usually follows a peer-to-peer format (P2P) where the files are stored on the personal computers of the users themselves. It allows multiple users to read, modify, and copy files.

Browsing the web together (web co-browsing) – The ability to browse the web together and look at the same page.

Application sharing - Lets users see and change a document together such as a spreadsheet or a PowerPoint presentation.

Slide presentations – Allow participants of the web conference to see the same document at the same time.

Annotation – Allows the presenter to highlight or mark pertinent sentences, images, or graphs that are on the shared screen for emphasis.

Text messaging – Allows users to type in their messages while on the shared screen, in lieu of a telephone conference or VoIP. Outside of web-conferencing, popular instant messaging programs include Yahoo!'s Messenger and MSN's Windows Messenger.

Surveys and Polls – Allows users to submit their votes on company issues and concerns and other such areas.

Software demonstrations – Allow all participants of the web conference to view it. It can also be used as a forum for possible opinions about the software itself.

Video sharing – Allows participants to share, see, and exchange files, like product and software demonstrations.

Staff meetings/Orientations - Can be held through web-conferencing as long as all participants have a computer and a connection to the internet. Typical meetings can be used for updates and orientations. Brainstorming sessions and shareholder meetings are much of the same.

Marketing events – Can be held company-wide in order to launch new products and bring more publicity to upcoming company services.

Product training - Can be held by allowing a trainer to take hold of the conference and disseminate information to all the participants.

Press briefings - can be held through web conferencing by simply setting a common time for it to be held.

Some web-conferencing software allows the presenter to record present conferences to be played later on, if need be.

Today, web-conferencing has been influenced to use more of live videos and VoIP through the use of the web camera. Video-conferencing and web-conferencing used to be two distinct programs, but now signs point to breaking down the differences completely.