Online meeting software exists for many reasons, everyone typically has one particular reason as to why they choose online meetings. Most that I know love it once they try it. There is a learning curve but many of the online services are now very user friendly and easy to get started with.

We compiled a list of reasons to justify using online meetings. Here is our Top 10 reasons to use online meetings.

10. Everyone is Doing It!
Okay, maybe not everyone, and this is not the best reason - that is why it is number 10. However there is some merit in the fact that more and more people are familiar with online meetings and more likely to accept and participate.

9. Ease of Use
Using an online meeting service means that you only have to learn that one system and it is the same no matter where you are or what computer you use. Presenting in person typically means that you are presenting with an unfamiliar computer, a projector, you may need to hook up external speakers, obtain power, all the issues of setting up a live presentation or training session in a foreign environment. Using an online meeting is the same every time and eliminates the frustrations.

8. Multiple Presentations
An easy way to have multiple presentations or training sessions in one day is to provide online meetings. Simply set up multiple meetings and once you are finished with one you can simply logout and login to the next. No one has to travel and there is little to no setup or tear down after each presentation. You also do not have to leave your location, essentially your desk.

7. Greater Participant Attention
Most individuals are less distracted when they are in their own office or home, in front of their own computer, and watching a presentation or training session. They are more likely to have the comforts they are used to, their chair, computer, coffee mug, attire and therefore less distracted and more able to retain the information they are exposed to.

6. Better Interactivity and Participation
In a live meeting you have to give up control of your computer and physically move people around in the room. Someone not familiar with your computer may not know where to find what they need. However with an online meeting you can pass the control to other meeting participants and they can control your desktop with their computer and try what was just described for hands on training or present to everyone else as well.

5. Recordable
You can record your presentations or training sessions as they take place. Of course you can edit later if you like. Both audio and video may be recorded. You can then send to those you presented to if they would like to watch again or send to others that were unable to attend. Your best online training sessions could be provided to others and alleviate the need for a live meeting all together.

4. Most Efficient
When presenting or providing a training session to individuals at various companies or locations, it is easier to invite everyone to an online meeting instead of arranging for multiple people to meet at one location. It is also less ackward when the participants do not know each other, arrive late, sit near someone they do not know etc.

3. Easy to Host Large Meetings
It is rare, for most companies today, to have a physical space that can hold all the employees or all the participants of a large event such as a corporate meeting. Having an online meeting eliminates the necessity for a large physical space or the renting of one.

2. Time Saver
The typical meeting, if anyone has to travel, can be an incredible time waste. Not only can travel time be eliminated but also the time to set up a meeting room such as plugging in a computer to a projector (which always causes problems). The amount of time saved eliminating travel and setup is invaluable.

1. Cheapest
Clearly without a doubt the monthly price of an online meeting service pays for itself if you only hold one meeting per month. The fact that no one has to travel saves money. A $50 a month service cost is obviously much cheaper than travel expenses.

There are many more reasons than the above, what are yours?