You’ve been using the same video conferencing for years now, and it works…sort of. You might have problems with connectivity, video quality, and the overall cost of the service, but if it’s not broken, don’t fix it, right? Let’s be honest; if you’re not using a high-quality service, you’re doing yourself, your team members, and your business as a whole a disservice.
Video conferencing can improve conference calls tenfold by incorporating one of the most important factors of good communication: body language. You can’t exactly see someone’s facial expressions and other body language cues via an audio call, and you might be missing out on crucial information while you’re chatting. Not to mention, sometimes it’s just nice to see someone’s face on the other end of the line!
If you’re thinking of switching your video conferencing platform, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll cover three crucial reasons why you should most definitely make the switch for better video quality, customer service, and cost. Your business and your team deserve the best!
1. Video Quality
Picture this: you’re in the middle of an important video conference, and the video quality starts to drop. Now, instead of looking at your team of top-notch sales reps, you’re looking at a mangled pixelated imitation of their faces. You can’t make out any features and the audio is starting to cut out also…for the third time this month.
You would think that the quality of the video and audio feed would be a top priority for a video conferencing platform, and for most, it is. There are always those services that fall short of the status quo, however; regardless of what industry you’re looking at.
Video and audio quality can determine the effectiveness of your conference calls. If your video conferencing platform is constantly experiencing connection or quality issues, it’s time to make a switch. After all, your business is footing the bill for the service that doesn’t even work when you need it to. Can you afford to throw away money for a sub-par service?
The standard today is HD video; at least 720/1080p. You can certainly take the extra step and buy a 4k ultra-HD video conferencing tool, but this is optional. 720p is more than sufficient to host high-quality calls without a pixelated screen.
2. Tech Support/Customer Service
Let’s say you’re dealing with that poor video feed, and you’re trying to contact the customer service team about it. You’ve been on the phone for about 45 minutes now, and you have yet to speak to a human. We’ve all been there, and it’s nothing less than frustrating; especially if you’re waiting on tech support to get you back into your conference call.
A business that doesn’t stand by its products or services by offering good customer service and/or technical support is a business that doesn’t value its customers. Think about it; do you offer customer service for your products or services? Of course you do! And you should expect nothing less from your conference call provider.
Consider how quickly your conference call provider addresses issues, as well as what customer reviews have to say about the company itself. Are the reviews positive or overwhelmingly negative? Does the business have a reputation for poor customer service? Nowadays, good customer service is more important than ever, and customers expect it. You should, too!
3. Cost
Cost is yet another crucial component of a good video conferencing platform. If you’re paying too much for a service that doesn’t work right, you’re losing money every month that you could be putting back into the business. If you’re paying for a cheap service, you’ll likely get a lower-quality platform to work with. It comes down to balance. You need just the right cost for the right level of quality and customer service.
If your platform deals in hidden fees, extra costs, and unclear terms of service, it’s time to move on. This type of underhanded behavior not only looks bad for the company engaging in it but leaves you with extra costs and headaches that you don’t need in the first place. The best advice? Buy a good service that you won’t dread paying for each month.
There are dozens of video conferencing platforms available online, so don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re stuck with the one you currently have. There are even some free options available, but be wary; free doesn’t always mean good. Free services can often be sub-par in quality or consistency, but some services like Skype have the backing of a large company to make them stand out.
Conclusion
The decision to change your video conferencing platform comes down to three factors: cost, customer service/support, and quality. Before you switch or purchase your first monthly premium plan, do some research on the services and the company offering them. You don’t want anything less than the best for your business.
