How Video Chat as a Service Can Boost Efficiency (and Your Bottom Line)
Video chat as a service uses existing functionality so you can offer video calls to your customers. Here’s your straightforward guide.
Picture this: You’ve decided that you want to make it easy for customers to join a live video demo directly from the sales page of your own website.
Not that long ago, rolling out this functionality would’ve involved a lot of time, knowledge, and elbow grease – and likely an entire team of developers tasked with building that application from the ground up.
But, given the rise of what’s coined the “API economy,” offering this type of feature is easier (and faster) than ever.
What exactly is an API?
If you’re scratching your head at the mention of “API economy,” we don’t blame you. It can be a bit of a daunting concept to wrap your arms around, especially if you don’t pride yourself on your tech knowledge.
API stands for application programming interface. We won’t get too into the weeds of the tech stuff, but think of an API as the messenger that allows two applications to talk to each other.
For example, have you ever visited a website with the option to “login with Google” or something similar? That website uses Twitter’s API to give users an option to login quickly and conveniently. Developers didn’t need to create that login functionality themselves – they were able to piggyback off of existing functionality using an API.
In short, APIs help companies offer increased features and options to their customers without needing to reinvent the wheel. As a result, they’ve become a steadily-increasing part of today’s business landscape.
So...what is Video Chat as a Service?
There’s no shortage of examples of APIs in a variety of industries, and it all plays a role in a larger “as-a-service” business model that’s continued to gain traction. As Deloitte explains, this model allows customers to “purchase access to products as a service.”
But, since we’re focused on effective video conferencing, let’s talk specifically about what Video Chat as a Service is.
Here at Whereby, we’re in the business of Video Chat as a Service. It works like this: If you want to offer seamless video conferencing to your customers (like the live video demos on your sales page we mentioned earlier), you don’t need a team of developers to build your own video meetings platform.
Instead, you can use an existing video chat API (like Whereby Embedded) to seamlessly offer embedded video conferencing within your own site or application. To put it simply, we’ve already built the functionality you need and more such as screen sharing, live chat and recording. You’ll just tap into it using our API. Don’t worry – our developer guide walks you through the ins and outs of doing so.
How using Video Chat as a Service can boost your business
When it comes to use cases for a video chat API, or Whereby Embedded specifically, the use cases are endless. We’ve seen partners use it in a variety of ways, including:
Online education platforms hosting video calls directly within their learning portals
Health professionals offering telehealth video consultations from their own sites
Virtual events companies hosting video calls directly within their platforms
Companies providing product demos or consultations from within their own applications
...and the list goes on and on. Curious why Video Chat as a Service is worth it for your own business? Here are a few compelling reasons to consider.
1. You can get up and running quickly
Video chat apps means you can offer functionality to your customers that previously would’ve cost a lot of money and, perhaps even more importantly, time for you to create on your own.
You don’t need to wait weeks or even months for a development team to create the video calling functionality you need. Using our Whereby Embedded video call API, we’ve seen partners start hosting meetings in as little as a few minutes.
Plus, beyond the boosted efficiency, using a video chat app can reduce the need for technical resources. When McKinsey research shows that skill gaps and shortages are growing (especially in data and IT roles), the ability to rely on existing functionality to embed video meetings means you don’t need an entire in-house team to go the DIY route.
2. You can make a more personal connection with your users and customers
Not yet convinced that video calling is something you even need to offer to your users or customers? Consider this:
88% of people say they prefer speaking to a live customer service agent instead of navigating a phone menu
Studies show that video calls are far more engaging and lead to richer interactions than other digital methods, because you can pick up on audiovisual cues
Now more than ever, your interactions with prospective or current customers have the potential to go viral – for better or for worse.
Giving users and customers the option to connect with your brand via an embedded video chat app (and skip the long hold times or frustrating conversations that feel like endless loops) will strengthen your relationships, your reputation, and likely your revenue.
3. You can ensure a seamless experience
Our API allows you to embed video calling functionality exactly where you need it – whether that’s within your platform, on a webpage, within iOS or Android mobile apps, or somewhere else.
That creates a completely consistent and cohesive experience for your customers. You don’t need to give them a link to a separate video conferencing solution. They don’t need to download any clunky software. They don’t even need to navigate from your site or your application.
With Whereby Embedded, you offer real-time video chats exactly where your customers are – and you keep them engaged with your own brand, rather than sending them elsewhere.
Video Chat as a Service improves efficiency (and your bottom line)
If you’ve thought about making video conferencing more accessible to your customers, rest assured that it doesn’t need to be a huge undertaking on your part.
Video Chat as a Service (and our Whereby Embedded video call API) makes it easy for you to access and roll out the functionality you need – while saving time, money, and plenty of stress.
Ready to get started with your own Video Chat as a Service solution? Find out why Whereby Embedded is right for your business. Get started for free here.
