Webinar Services – GoToWebinar vs DimDim
Like many internet marketers, I have tried different webinar services to host live training sessions for my subscribers.
The way these services are being advertised, especially GoToWebinar which is being promoted heavily on UK television at the moment, you would expect a flawless webinar experience.
Unfortunately, this has not been the case for me and in this post I will share my personal experiences with two of the most popular webinar software products so far – GoToWebinar and DimDim.
GoTo Webinar
Let’s start with GoToWebinar, probably the most popular of all webinar services aimed at everyone from the one-man band to the large corporation.
I used this service for the very first series of free training sessions I hosted last year and it is quite easy to use.
There has been some complaint about needing to install software to attend a webinar but that was the least of my own issues with using GoToWebinar.
When it works, it works fine, but I found the GoToWebinar experience very hit and miss.
Sometimes the screen would not record and on occasions the screen would record just fine, but not the audio.
I co-hosted a webinar with Paul Teague and while my audio recorded, Paul’s did not.
On each of these error-strewn occasions all of the audio and other settings were correct, it was the product which failed to deliver.
When the audio decided to record, upon playback I found it very tinny and that is recording with the crystal clear Rode Podcaster microphone as well.
For $99 per month it is just not good enough…
DimDim
After losing patience with GoToWebinar I was really optimistic about using DimDim.
It is cheaper at just $25 per month for up to 50 attendees and $75 for up to 1,000 and no software installation was required – everything runs right from your web browser.
I even had a 30 day trial so I didn’t need to fork out any cash to test it.
I used DimDim for the first time to host my first free online training session in a long time and I was encouraged by how easy it was to set everything up.
I liked the registration widget you could embed on your blog and could imagine where I could fit it in when I eventually get the blog redesigned.
Perfect, I thought.
How wrong I was…
My optimism and enjoyment of using DimDim lasted for about five seconds when hosting the webinar.
First of all, it would not record the computer screen when attempting to show an Open Office Impress presentation.
One frantic live chat to technical support identified this as a driver issue and with the appropriate changes made to the settings, all seemed well.
However, while DimDim suggested the screen had indeed recorded, upon playback, all I had to show for over an hour’s webinar was a predominantly black screen and a tiny portion of Impress appearing in the bottom left hand corner.
So, it was back to technical support and it transpires DimDim is not compatible with a dual monitor setup.
I had my presentation on my primary monitor and “DimDim screen” on my secondary monitor so I could keep an eye on the attendees and what was being said in the chat box as I was going along.
Technical support’s rather unhelpful stance of “you will have to toggle between windows” is unacceptable when you want to record a presentation to be used or sold as a product.
On the plus side, the audio was a lot better than that in GoToWebinar.
But another personal negative for me is it auto-records the webinars in FLV format which I cannot import directly into Camtasia Studio without converting and losing overall quality.
Making the Best of a Bad Situation
After using both GoTo Webinar and DimDim I cannot highly recommend either because they both have problems which prevent a truly positive experience for an internet marketer.
I think DimDim could be a really good solution if it could get over the dual monitor issue because the ease of registration and no additional software required is very appealling.
But, until that happens I am going to have to take my chances with GoToWebinar which allows dual monitor use even if the possibility of the webinar not being recorded correctly is there.
But what about you? What are your own experiences with either GoToWebinar or DimDim?
What webinar services do you use or would you recommend to me?
Please leave your comments below, it would help me out a lot!
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23 comments… read them below or add one
Thanks for shedding some light on the pros and cons of each David. I myself have not used either but will definitely take into consideration your advice when it comes time for me to decided.
Too bad there is not that one perfect product in which we can have it all huh? I’m sure someone will come out with a product soon enough that will top these (hmm sounds like a good product idea). Or maybe there is one already that we just don’t know about. I will stay tuned to the other comments to find out.
Anna
Anna Haller´s last blog ..Planning – The key to your success
Hi Anna,
I am glad you found the comparison of some use.
It is a shame none of the available options are totally suitable for what we want to achieve as marketers.
Until the products improve or something new comes out to shake things up, it will just be a case of having to choose one of the existing solutions, grinning and bearing it.
David
David,
Thanks for recording your observations. I am getting ready to do webinars and was counting on Go To Webinar/Meeting to be my platform. Now, I’m not so sure!
Post more as your investigation continues.
Fred
Fred Raley´s last blog ..How to get endless leads begging you to join your business
Hi Fred,
If you are at the stage where you want to host webinars you’ll just have to pick a service and take your chances. Fortunately, with both GoToWebinar and DimDim you get a free trial so you can evaluate them both thoroughly.
David
Hi David
Have you considered GVO’s Hot Conference soon to be launched under the GVO Converance logo. The price has not yet been announced but on beta tests they have had up to 500 attendees in the room. As a member of GVO you automatically get a 10 seat conference room as part of their Titanium package.
Richard
Hi Richard,
You are the second person who has mentioned GVO to me.
I am not interested at this time taking out the whole hosting/mailing solution they provide as I am happy with my current providers but I will monitor their webinar option with interest.
David
Hi David,
I work for Citrix Online and wanted to let you know that we will being totally reworking our recording feature this year, it would be great if you gave us another look at that time and shared your thoughts.
Thanks,
Glenn Dobson | Manager Global Customer Support
Citrix Online Division http://www.citrixonline.com/ Citrix Systems, Inc.
On Twitter @GlennDCitrix
Glenn Dobson´s last blog ..The secrets to a great webinar
Hi Glenn,
Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving me a comment – you didn’t waste much time in finding me!
I am encouraged that Citrix are addressing this issue and will (hopefully) be improving it.
I think I will return to GoToWebinar simply because it is not as terrible overall as DimDim, but my choice shouldn’t have to be based on that!
Are you able to divulge any further information on what the changes will entail in terms of audio/screen recording and any possible timeframes for completion?
David
David-
Great post! Thanks for sharing that with us!
I would love for you to also check out a new webinar company called My Screen Share. My Screen Share offers all of the following features for only $24.95 a month:
* 50 Participants
* Desktop Share
* Live Video and Audio Broadcasting
* Webinar
* Whiteboard
* Co-Browse Web Pages
* Interactive Public/Private Chat and Mood Indicators
* Free Recordings and Embedding
* Secure – Password Protect Your Live or Recorded Events
* Collect Registrations Fees for Access to WebEvents
* Host, Promote, & Sell Live or Recorded Events In One Place
* Manage Recordings
* Customize your Account & Playlist Using Your Branding
* No Contracts
* No Software Downloads
* Lucrative Affiliate Program
To see how we compare to WebEx and GoToMeeting please click here
We would LOVE to hear your feedback!
Kindly,
Britta
My Screen Share
Hi Britta,
Thank you for alerting me to this product, I had not heard of it before.
Unfortunately I don’t think 50 attendees is enough, not for the long term anyway.
David
David-
Thanks for the candid post about your experiences. Unfortunately, yes, the dual screen challenge is due to our drivers. Our engineering team is been working on the issue, but for now, our meeting hosts do switch between windows.
On the recordings I agree. The Flash FLV format for the videos is too limiting (it’s also the codec used to encode the video.) Our product management team understands the problem and is reworking the recording functionality, but I don’t have a timeframe for when this will be addressed yet. For now, most customers are either sharing the direct link to the video or using the embed code to put it into their web site.
Thanks again for sharing your feedback. If there’s anything I can help with, just let me know.
Thanks!
-k
Kevin Micalizzi, Community Manager
Dimdim Web Conferencing
e: kevin@dimdim.com
twitter: @dimdim
facebook: dimdim.com/facebook
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I am glad you are addressing the dual screen issue because it is essential for us marketers who want to record a webinar to either give away or sell as a stand-alone product at a later date.
For cases such as this, toggling between windows is unacceptable if you want to record a professional webinar and keep an eye on what’s going on with your attendees at the same time.
GoToWebinar manage to do this and if they sort out their recording issues then DimDim is going to be playing catch-up.
David
David
your much furthur along with webinars than me (I,m technically challenged) but I purchased a course by Jim Edwards and Chris Zavadowski called “webinar secrets” (webinarsecrets.com)and I must say it was very comprehensive. They used GoToWebiar but recorded audio separately and ran camtasia simultaenously to do the screen capture. As far as I know this was because of unreliability and that fact that they wanted to turn the production into an info product. I am a little sketchy on the precise details other than not to rely on a 3rd party back up for a potentially high value infromation product.
Hope this is of help
David
david fitzgerald´s last blog ..Sacroiliac joint – Kinetic Tests
Hi David,
Thank you for leaving me a comment and alerting me to this method. The only problem I see with this is if you are co-hosting the webinar with someone in a different location or speaking with an attendee, their audio may not be recorded.
David
Hi David,
Its nice to read an honest review, but really not the situation you want to be writing such a review after your experience, bad timing.
Interesting to see the feedback from the representatives of both companies , but no immediate solution to the issue, which not only you have experienced. All food for thought, and once i am ready to hold a Webinar then looks like I will call you first
Cheers David
Talk soon.
Sean
Sean Beardmore´s last blog ..3-2-1 Lift Off! Simple Steps To Making Money Online’ Is Ready For Launch
Hi Sean,
I agree entirely, it’s shocking a company can charge up to $99 a month when there are obvious issues with recording the webinars and then recording them in non-standard formats which need to be converted first before editing in Camtasia.
I am glad Citrix is addressing this and hopefully they will have a product to be proud of before the year is out.
As for DimDim, who knows?
David
Hey David
I was on your call and it never bothered me to be honest.
In fact I was glad because I know you are testing methods out of the box, that may just be of use to us and save us some money in the future.
Good on you for trying something different, Sally
Sally´s last blog ..Sally Is Retiring From Blog Hopping GASP…
Thanks for your support Sally.
These solutions are there to be tested, it’s just a shame they can’t work as the providers would have you believe they do.
David
Hi David,
Nice info with your test results of webinar platforms. There are lots of options depending on users requirements out there. One I’ve recently been testing is omNovia. They have a really cool product called ReCast which is a recorded webinar that acts as a live webinar – with no degradation in file/audio/video quality.
You can even have an admin “sit in” on the recorded session to field live q&a, it has a Twitter feed, other options too. Check out my free eBook on the blog for more help.
Geoff Zimpfer
Webinar Marketing Pro
Hey David! Yeah, this seems to be a big issue as I am also in the works towards making webinars a big part of my business. I really don’t knwo what to do, but possibly bight the bullet and use GotoMeeting or Webinar. I attend many webinars in a month hosted by them and there really isn’t too many problems considering.
I am also looking into conference software as well, but they lack to ability to host a lot of attendees.
I can see the frustration though especially when you have to fork out $100 or more a month you want something to be reliable.
Thanks for the tips and look to talk to you soon!
Ryan K
Ryan K´s last blog ..Curtis who Internet Income Academy what
Where would we be without modern technology?
I don’t know one from the other but form a viewers point of view, I have no problem downloading a piece of software to hear a great webinar.
Most of us, I believe, are quite comfortable with Gotomeeting so I would chose that one if it were up to me for my business.
Thanks,
Mike
Mike Helton´s last blog ..3 Things You Need to Make Money Online-
I have used both and they both have issues. At the present moment, I have a gotowebinar recorded file that edits just fine in Camtasia, but then will not render. I have converted to a new WMV format and to an MP4 format and I still have been unable to produce a final version. For $99 per month, that is really unacceptable. I’ve spent almost 4 hours trying to work with a recording that must have some glitches in the code.
Dimdim in my experience, tends to have audio problems..hit and miss. When it works, its a good experience.
Deborah Tutnauer
Deborah Tutnauer – ITS ALL SUCCESS TV´s last blog ..Are Moms Special
Deborah this is a challenge that many people are facing – we have tried converting a GotoWebinar video file into flv, mp4, etc.. and there is always a problem. Even conversions that play back ok on the computer then suffer problems when they are processed by an online video host, and lose the video, have skipping problems, lose video sync… etc.
We have resorted to re-recording the playback of the recording. That is, we play the recording in VLC, then use ScreenFlow to record the whole computer screen. We’re using an external audio interface, because the driver for recording the sound the computer is producing didn’t work, so we route the headphone line back to the input of the external audio interface, and record the whole thing in real time. Frustrating for a 1hr webinar, but giving us files that are usable.
These problems, and my searching and finding this post, suggest that no one out there has a good solution to Webinars and recording them, or perhaps the company that does is too small to promote beyond its userbase, and the big guys like GotoWebinar dominate.
All the best.