What is Zoom?
Zoom is a free online video conferencing tool that lets you connect with individuals and teams around the world. Anyone with an email account can host a virtual meeting that people from any country can join. Users can share videos, text documents, images, presentations and more.
Someone can also speak through audio or text messaging on the platform. They can communicate their message to a single person privately or to an entire group. Users can also choose to display their own pictures, slides and backgrounds for complete customization.
Who uses Zoom?
Though Zoom has been around since 2013, most people started using it after companies and schools transitioned to operating remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, Zoom is used by employees as well as managers to conduct virtual meetings. Students and teachers use it to conduct virtual classes, and family and friends use Zoom to stay connected. Zoom’s large-participant capacity has made it a good choice of platform to host online events, webinars, virtual workshops and more.
What are the features of Zoom?
Audio calls: Audio calling is one of Zoom’s most widely used functions. Recruiters use it to interview candidates, friends in lockdown utilize it to catch up and business professionals access it to conduct meetings and negotiations.
Video calling: Video calling is similar to audio with the addition of visual features, such as video conferencing, screen sharing, on-screen highlighting and more. These features are useful for online demonstrations, virtual lectures, live workshops, etc.
Virtual backgrounds: Zoom is one of the very few video-conferencing tools that allows users to set up a customized background with a green screen. If someone is calling from home or would not like to share their current background, they can choose from a wide selection of wallpapers to set as a virtual background. This feature has enabled people to call at any time, anywhere without worrying about how their surroundings would appear on screen.
Text messaging: Zoom has built-in texting functionality where users can send each other personal or group messages. They can also add links in the chat for reference.
Screen sharing: Users can share their screens to demonstrate concepts through presentations or slideshows. They can also use highlighting and painting tools on the shared screen to draw attention to specific points.
How to use Zoom
How to make an account on Zoom
If this is your first time using Zoom, you will need to set up an account. This can be done by visiting the Zoom website at Zoom.us. Then click on the “sign up” button or use your Google account to register.
If using Zoom from mobile, download the Zoom app from the App Store/Play Store and follow the same instructions.
How to start a Zoom meeting
To start a Zoom meeting, log in to your account from your desktop or open the mobile app. There is a button called “Host Meeting.” Select which type of meeting is preferred and send out invitation links via email or social media. Anyone with this link or password can now join the meeting.
How to add people to a Zoom meeting
Once the meeting has started, click on the “Invite” button on the screen to add participants. This option will let you send out invites through a copied URL or detailed instructions to be shared through email and/or social media.
When someone uses this link and/or password to join the meeting, there will be an option to admit them. This way you can control who can or can’t join the session.
How to join a meeting
If somebody else is hosting a meeting and you want to join, their invitation link is needed and/or a meeting password. This will help you join the room and let the host decide whether they want to admit you in.
How to schedule a Zoom meeting
Schedule a Zoom meeting by clicking the “Schedule” button on the Zoom home screen. This will open a form-like box where a person can customize the meeting options. They can select the date, time, duration and even set rules about microphone or video use. This option is helpful for people hosting events with multiple guests because they can easily switch the microphone and video on or off while letting every guest have a chance to speak.
How to record Zoom meetings
To record the meeting for future reference, select the “Record” option available at the bottom of the screen during an ongoing meeting. The recording can also be paused in between if the participants are taking a break.
If using a mobile, select the “More” option in the toolbar and click “Record to Cloud.”
After the meeting is over, these recordings can be found in your documents or downloads folder. The recordings are also available on the Zoom app. Access these by selecting “My Recordings.”
How to share the screen on Zoom
To share the screen on Zoom, select the “Share Screen” option available in the toolbar. You will only see this option during a meeting, so you need to start a meeting first. Selecting this option will let you share a specific page, the entire window or a whiteboard to draw on.
Is Zoom free to use?
Zoom offers both free and paid plans:
Basic plan: The basic plan is free and offers general features like video conferencing, screen sharing, meeting recording, scheduling and 40-minute group meetings.
Pro plan ($14.99/month): The Pro plan comes with all the features in the Basic plan with the addition of 1GB cloud storage and up to 30 hours for group meetings.
Business plan ($19.99/month): The Business plan is good for small companies and offers personal branding, a 300-participant capacity, transcription and all the features in previous plans.
Sakshi Udavant is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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