5 Great Video Conferencing Tools for Small Businesses with Remote Employees

With rising workplace flexibility, video conferencing has become integral to workplace collaboration. And with the increasing popularity of video, tech providers are eager to meet every requirement at an optimal price point. In this article, we talk about the top five video conferencing tools to collaborate with your remote workforce.

As the global distributed workforce continues to grow, video conferencing tools will become increasingly important. It is no longer only about talking to external partners and clients. Video conferencing tools are now integral to reinforcing internal lines of communication as well.

According to the Global State of Remote Work report by OwlLabsOpens a new window , 56% of companies surveyed support remote working, and 16% are fully remote. This means that all collaborationOpens a new window takes place online. From daily standups and casual shout-outs to multi-stakeholder weekly meetings, thousands of remote employees around the world are using video conferencing tools every day.

Let’s consider a few insightful facts and figures on video conferencing, and which tools can help you maximize the potential of your remote workforce.

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Using Video Conferencing Tools Is Key to Collaboration with Remote Teams

A recent survey by LifesizeOpens a new window highlighted how video conferencing tools are slowly becoming a staple for businesses of every size. Remote workers logging in from a home office rely on video to connect with their colleagues, peers, and customers. And the pervasive impact of video conferencing tools extends to coworking spaces, cars, airports, and even restaurants. 

Here are a few key figures from the report that drive home this trend:

• 55% of professionals believe that video conferencing can make work environments more collaborative.
• 78% of use video for team meetings and standups.
• Nearly a quarter of employees have taken calls from a cafe or restaurant.

A key factor here is that video conferencing tools must be device-agnostic for widespread adoption. Over 30% of professionals regularly use their mobile phones for calls, emphasizing the need to connect anytime, anywhere. So, which are the platforms meeting these criteria?  Here is a roundup of the best video conferencing tools available today, if you’re looking to harness a large, distributed workforce. 

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5 Great Video Conferencing Tools and Why You Need Them 

Conferencing software and equipment aren’t limited to dedicated meeting spaces anymore. Virtually every room in an office must support some form of video capability, whether it is mobile, desktop, or 4K compatible hardware. And, the employee demographics using these facilities are equally dynamic. From baby boomers (43%) to millennials (62%), nearly everyone is using video today. 

Simply put, video conferencing tools must be flexible, device and environment-agnostic, and with a simple UI to work. The following solutions perfectly fit the bill: 

1. Google HangoutsOpens a new window : An affordable video conferencing tool for SMBs 

Recently, Google has expressed its renewed focus on supporting small businesses. Its Hangouts video conferencing solution is built into the broader G-Suite portfolio. It’s simple and easy to use, without any additional cost components. 

If you have a paid subscription to G-Suite, you can enjoy features such as meeting link sharing and work hour definition. Staples such as screen sharing and calendar synchronization are available in the free version as well. 

If you’re new to video conferencing, this is a great starting point with minimal investment. 

2. ZoomOpens a new window : A solution that grows with your business 

Zoom’s USP is that it boasts of four different plans to meet the scale of your requirements. For independent contractors, there is a free version that allows up to 100 participants per call. Unlike a lot of business tools out there, Zoom Free includes online support services. 

Collaboration is made easy with screen sharing, whiteboarding, group texts, and “co-annotation.” And this is just the free version!  As you grow your business, you can increase the number of participants per call, access specialized support, double down on security, and even customize the tool’s look and feel. This seems ideal when you need to touch base with your distributed workforce often.

Zoom for SMBs is available at $19.99 per month per host for a minimum of 10 hosts. 

3. Adobe ConnectOpens a new window : Video conferencing meets the digital workplace

Adobe has a pretty comprehensive video conferencing and collaboration suite under the Connect umbrella. This includes meetings (video calls, record editing, storage, and digital office) as well as webinars and learning. 

Adobe Connect Meetings is feature-rich with built-in cloud storage, VoIP calls, whiteboarding, and private breakout sessions. You can also create and save your own meeting layouts. With its digital training offering, it becomes a great resource to train your distributed workforce online.

This video conferencing tool is available at $50 per month with an impressive 25 hosts, for up to 25 participants per call. 

4. Cisco WebexOpens a new window : A 360-degree platform for every collaboration need 

Cisco is a recognized name in business communications, recently positioned as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Meeting Solutions. The solution is entirely device-agnostic, and a web-based interface cuts down on installation needs. Cisco’s portfolio includes tools for video calls, team collaboration, webinars, and a lot more. 

Given Cisco’s position as a market leader, its video conferencing tool comes with best-in-class security, built-in intelligence that detects and removes background sound, and easy connectivity with the company’s line of hardware products. 

Cisco Webex Meetings is ideal for companies that require a whole gamut of digital collaboration services, including and beyond video calls. 

5. LifesizeOpens a new window : A flexible tool with several exciting integrations 

Given the changing nature of collaboration spaces, the Lifesize platform can be scaled to meet personal requirements, create small huddle rooms, 4K video conferencing, as well as wireless presentations. You can link it to other productivity apps such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Skype. 

Lifesize has a cloud-based software, ensuring ease of access from any location. The most significant advantage of this video conferencing tool is that it goes beyond only a collaboration software. Lifesize also offers HD phones, wireless sharing devices, and other custom devices based on your requirement and the pricing plan you opt for. 

You can choose from three models of deployment: Mini, Small, and Medium bundles starting at $16 per user per month. 

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Video Conferencing Solutions Belong in Every HR Toolkit 

Today, enterprises are boldly breaking barriers when it comes to people engagement. Customers aren’t limited to specific geographies, and employees no longer have to be physically present. Video conferencing lets you expand the ambit of your business without compromising on productivity and engagement. In fact, 43% of professionals are already using video for higher productivity across locations, according to the Lifesize report mentioned above.

And with the rise of technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning (adding another layer of intelligence), video conferencing tools will become even more powerful, reliable, and continually easier to use. 

What are the preferred video conferencing tools at your organization? Tell us on FacebookOpens a new window , LinkedInOpens a new window , or TwitterOpens a new window . We would love to hear from you!