But every conference call depends on excellent audio quality to realize those benefits. A call with bad audio can ruin the experience - and honestly is an unfortunate yet understandable reason why conference calls can have bad reputations.

If you are looking for ways to improve conference call audio quality, then you have come to the right place. Let’s take a look at a few tips on how you can troubleshoot common audio issues and have better conference calls.

1. Educate on conference call etiquette.

One of the basic fundamentals of conference calls is to use proper etiquette. It’s the moderator or call leader’s job to make sure everyone is aware of what is appropriate behavior and what’s expected during the conference call.

Some etiquette basics include calling in and arriving on time, try not to interrupt speakers, try not to speak for long stretches if you are not expected to, do not multitask, etc.

Moderators have certain etiquette they should follow, too, such as getting an agenda out ahead of time, keeping conversations on track and starting and ending the meeting on time.

Everyone wins when proper conference call etiquette is used.

2. Remove background noise sources.

Background noise is distracting to everyone on the call.

The easiest way to completely eliminate any and all background noise that is coming from your line is to use the mute button when you are not talking. We will look at the mute button in the next tip, but it’s not always on option. That’s because, in certain active and lively conversations, you may not be able to hit the mute button on and off every time.

If that’s the case for your conference call, then the best way to get rid of background noise is to find a quiet place to join the call. That means no coffee shops, no public transportation, no offices near open windows or high foot traffic areas - you get the idea. Also, if you are working from home, try to keep other noises, such as pets or children, quiet during the call.

3. Use the mute button.

Now, the mute button is a great option if you must join a conference call while on the go or while in an environment that may not be ideal for phone calls. But this isn’t the only reason to use the mute button.

A general rule of thumb to follow is to mute yourself when you are not speaking. This way slight noises from movement, others not on the call unintentionally interrupting, or even coughing and sneezing don’t distract others.

Some conference call services even offer the ability to mute everyone except the call moderator. This is one way for the call’s leader to take the reins and ensure a little bit of quality control.

4. Use a headset.

Headsets can do wonders for improving audio quality. Rather than rely on a small phone speaker, you can have the content of the conference call directed to your ears - while also acting as a buffer for any noises outside the call. This can be much more useful than relying on a phone or speakerphone setup.

Your other participants may also thank you for using a headset if you are in a loud environment. Not only will a headset mic make you that much easier to hear, but it is also another great way to get rid of background noise.

Using a headset also frees up your hands to take notes.

However, consider moving the headset mic slightly away from your mouth to avoid any popping noises when you speak.

5. Get everyone close if using a speakerphone.

If you have more than one person in a space who needs to participate in the conference call, then chances are you will use a speakerphone or mic’d conference room. In these situations, make sure everyone is close enough to the speakerphone so that its mic can pick up each person in the room when they speak.

Should you have other microphones stationed throughout the room, then it’s not necessary to huddle up too close. But you still need to be aware of where the microphones are and position yourselves accordingly.

6. Prepare ahead of time.

Conference call moderators can do themselves a huge favor by preparing ahead of time and conducting a sound quality check. To do this, simply call in plenty early and perhaps invite someone else to call in and help make sure you can hear each other.

This can help you identify any audio technical difficulties that may need to be addressed.

7. Select a service that prioritizes audio quality

Let’s be honest: Some free conference call services just don’t cut it as far as quality is concerned. That is not the case with Conference Town.

Some of our most important features focus on audio quality. This includes HD conference quality that allows for better clarity of speech with our tier one carriers.

Our technology also provides echo cancelation, which is used to remove that annoying echo that can sometimes be heard when people are talking on the phone. The technology is built into our system, so echos are canceled from the get-go.

Conference Town also offers a presentation mode that prevents members from interrupting the moderator. This works great for large conference calls where one person needs to be heard.

The other feature that should be highlighted is the active talker indicator available using the full web interface. This serves several purposes, including letting each call participant easily identify who is speaking - and also helping to isolate and remove any background noise that is coming from a specific line.

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