How do you select the right online communication tools?

1 Know your goals

Before you start browsing for online communication tools, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with them. Do you need to communicate internally with your team, or externally with your clients, partners, or prospects? Do you need to share information, documents, or feedback? Do you need to host meetings, webinars, or presentations? Do you need to track tasks, projects, or workflows? By defining your goals, you can narrow down your options and focus on the tools that match your objectives.

2 Compare features and costs

Once you have a list of potential online communication tools, you need to compare their features and costs. Some of the features you should look for are: ease of use, compatibility, integration, customization, scalability, reliability, security, and support. You should also consider the costs of the tools, not only in terms of subscription fees, but also in terms of installation, maintenance, training, and upgrades. You should weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each tool, and choose the ones that offer the best value for your budget.

3 Test and evaluate

Before you commit to any online communication tool, you should test and evaluate it to see how it works in practice. You can use free trials, demos, or reviews to get a sense of the tool's performance, functionality, and user experience. You should also ask for feedback from your team members, customers, or other stakeholders who will use the tool. You should look for any issues, glitches, or gaps that might affect your communication goals, and see how the tool's provider can address them.

4 Train and monitor

After you select the right online communication tools, you need to train and monitor their usage. You should provide your team members with clear guidelines and instructions on how to use the tools effectively and appropriately. You should also monitor the tools' usage and impact on your communication outcomes, such as engagement, productivity, satisfaction, or revenue. You should collect and analyze data, feedback, and suggestions to identify any areas for improvement or optimization.

5 Update and adapt

Finally, you need to update and adapt your online communication tools as your business needs and environment change. You should keep an eye on the latest trends, developments, and innovations in online communication, and see how they can benefit your business. You should also review your communication goals and strategies regularly, and see if your tools are still aligned with them. You should be ready to upgrade, switch, or add new tools as needed, and communicate any changes to your team and customers.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?