Video conferencing is not always what it is cracked up to be.

Just ask anyone who has actually used video conferencing regularly for their job to communicate with bosses, coworkers and colleagues. There are many issues that arise with video conference calls that need to be addressed in order for the call to go smoothly.

Although there is something to be said for being able to see the person - or multiple people - you are talking to, there are many instances where the troubles with video conferencing are simply not worth the headaches.

There are better free conferencing solutions out there for many businesses. If you find yourself stuck in the audio vs. video conferencing debate, then here’s why your team may want to skip video and stick with audio for your communication needs.

Some video conferencing services carry security risks

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, not many people realized that certain video conferencing services came with fairly serious security risks.

Take Zoom, for example. Its popularity grew tremendously as more and more organizations decided to use that as their primary means of holding virtual meetings. But awareness of its privacy and security issues grew right along with that popularity.

Security experts, privacy advocates, lawmakers and the FBI delivered warnings that when left to its default settings, Zoom users risk becoming victim to hackers. In short, Zoom has had to add new security features because its meetings have been found to be easily infiltratable in the past.

These hackers then share images and videos that are, suffice to say, inappropriate for just about any business setting. Zoom had some privacy and security concerns before the more recent issues, but this particular issue made its way around media circles.

Video requires updated, sometimes expensive hardware

Unlike audio conferencing, video conference calls require all users to have a higher level of hardware at their disposal. This could be anywhere from more updated laptops, but it could also be more intricate video and sound systems.

No matter the actual equipment issue, though, this generally translates to more dollars spent on keeping hardware updated and consistent for everyone who needs to join a conference call.

Conferencing experts will tell you that having the right equipment infrastructure in place is one of the most important aspects of having successful video calls. However, it’s also one of the most common reasons these types of business calls go so poorly and can feel more like outright failure.

Internet service determines video call quality

The quality of a video call almost always comes down to the level of internet service.

Video takes up a lot of bandwidth on any network. For home networks, these requirements can be even more of a burden.

Without a reliable - often costly - level of internet service, some participants may find themselves trying to keep up with choppy video, audio or both. They may even be dropped from the call entirely, caught in a constant struggle to reconnect.

Video is not as user-friendly

This should not come as any surprise, but video conference calls are not as easy to use and can leave many users so frustrated that they skip out on calls.

User error is a common reason video calls don’t work out. The only way around this is to put more time and effort into proper training. Some video proponents may suggest everything from one-on-one training sessions, to training videos, to user surveys, to software walkthroughs and handbooks.

That sounds like a lot of time that needs to be invested. But all that time is money, right? Wouldn’t it be better to invest in a simpler, cheaper and more user-friendly service that has benefits video cannot provide?

The answer to these issues is free audio conference calls.

Why audio conference calls are a better solution

With audio conference calls that don’t rely on an internet connection, you don’t have to worry about the problems that plague video conferencing software. There are many benefits available to audio conference calls, too, that video services cannot provide.

Try to consider the following factors before making a decision on what type of service you will use to communicate with your team.

Audio is a simpler solution

Whether it’s a quick conversation or a lengthier meeting, audio conferences are much easier for users to dial into and participate. That simplicity is a reason this virtual meeting method has stuck around for so long.

For most services, all that is needed to join a meeting is a dial-in number and perhaps a secure PIN. As long as someone has a reliable

Not all audio conferencing services rely on the internet

One could easily argue that the best audio conferencing solutions out there are ones that don’t rely on an internet connection to help users communicate.

By not having to rely on internet service quality, audio conference users can focus more on what matters most: the meeting.

Some users prefer audio conferencing

Believe it or not, some of your team members may not be very comfortable being seen and seeing their coworkers through a computer camera lense and screen.

Not only is this potentially uncomfortable, seeing people on screen can also be an unnecessary distraction. That could make meetings far less productive.

It’s also easier to find a suitable location to join an audio-only call. Users who may have to call while traveling will likely find this type of call more beneficial, too.

Try ConferenceTown.com, a high-quality, free conference call provider

So, how does one set out to find a suitable audio conference call solution for their team?

First, you should decide whether you want to pay for a service that your company or organization could find for free. There are many free audio conferencing services out there, but not all are the same.

Make sure that the service you select has the features your team requires and will not charge you extra for what some might refer to as “premium” features.

This is why thousands of users have found ConferenceTown.com such a benefit to their businesses. We provide a number of free features, including HD-quality audio, call recording, no time limits and so much more.

Sign up for free today to start experiencing a better conference call.