GoToWebinar is an easy way to set up an online seminar. The service's user-friendly interface and helpful tutorials will enable you to present memorable web-based seminars in very little time. While this application is easy to use, it doesn't offer as many features as other webinar providers that we reviewed do. Additionally, you need to download the GoToMeeting software, and Java is required. Still, it is one of the best services available for internet presentations.
Setting up a webinar with this service is quite simple. You can't jump immediately into a session, but setting one up doesn't take long. While scheduling a seminar, you can personalize the invitation, the registration questions and the waiting room where your invitees will enter before the presentation begins. This customization option allows the host to start making a positive impression before the meeting has begun.
The personalized invitations look professional when compared to the regular emails of other webinar services. You can send out these invitations from your own email client, or you can have the application distribute them. Attendees simply need to click the link in their invitations and register on the site. The host can automatically allow all registrants or manually approve or deny them. You can also add participants during the seminar by sharing the meeting's unique URL.
GoToWebinar allows you to use material from webinars you've previously done with a dropdown menu on the main page. This enables the host to repeat successful webinars and to use material from past sessions without having to upload documents multiple times. This is another reason why this service is so easy to use.
Before you begin an online seminar, you can test everything out in Practice Mode and make sure everything is working. GoToWebinar, like some other webinar services, features a control bar on the side of your screen. This bar consists of several buttons and tools, as well as a list of attendees and a chat box. When you are ready to let your attendees in from the waiting room, simply click the Start button. The service also includes webcam sharing so you can either include a video feed of yourself during the meeting or allow attendees to do the same. Furthermore, GoToWebinar recently added the option to share embedded video. This means you can upload a video directly to the application so your guests will always have access to it.
An additional benefit of GoToWebinar is real-time screen sharing where you can show your audience exactly what you're seeing on your desktop monitor. This can be a website, a PowerPoint presentation or even a YouTube video. In this mode, the annotation features allows you to circle, highlight or point out specific items within your presentation. You can also transfer control to one of your participants, if needed. Guests can raise their hands, ask questions and make comments using the status update features and chat window. This kind of participation is essential to engaging your audience.
Beyond video and document-sharing options, GoToWebinar offers a variety of audio-participation options. You can communicate through VoIP or through an integrated toll-free audio service. You can also record your meeting so that an unlimited number of viewers can watch it later at their leisure. Fortunately, all this works seamlessly with GoToMeeting, the web-service application by Citrix Online that is designed for events that have few participants but require enhanced collaboration tools.
GoToWebinar's usefulness is limited by the fact that smartphones or tablet computers can't access it. A mobile application that would be compatible with iPhone, Android or Blackberry operating systems could propel this product to frontrunner status among webinar services. This service also lacks an option for the meeting presenter to collect payment from guests. This precludes the use of this webinar service for some functions like pay-per-view training.
GoToWebiner doesn't offer remote IT support but offers all the other help and support features for which we tested. You can feel confident that you will get the assistance you need as you become familiar with the provided webinar services.
GoToWebinar makes it easy to create an online seminar, invite attendees and conduct a presentation. Additionally, its customer support is excellent, though you may not need to use it because the application is very user friendly. We look forward to future updates that will hopefully add the hottest features on the market such as mobile accessibility and seamless attendee payment integration.
