The world today has improved a lot in communication, thanks to digital technology which has made a big difference at a very fast pace. Back in the day, it would take a month or two to send a message or share important information with someone from a different country. But since the introduction of internet communication, we’ve enjoyed the convenience of connecting with people from the opposite side of the world and with different time zones.
What Is Web-Based Communication?
Let us first define what web-based communication is.
Internet communication refers to the sharing of information, data, ideas, or words over the internet. The internet comprises worldwide connected networks that transmit data thru packet switching using the standardized Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP). Unlike the method of communication before, we can now enjoy the convenience of exchanging information no matter the place and time.
We can now share instant messaging with them or place an important call, send an email, and share our interests to anyone on various online platforms. There are multiple ways to communicate with just an internet connection for free or at a low cost.
Let’s explore some of the most popular types of internet communications.
7 Ways to Communicate Over the Internet
1. Email
Email is a fundamental communication tool these days. Most people have an email address and most online platforms require it for a person to sign-up. According to Statista, the number of email users worldwide will increase to over 4 billion users in 2024. Email works as a traditional post mail, but unlike it, email does not need a postman to collect your letter and to send it to the location of the receiver. Aside from sending a simple letter, you can also send images and share documents to multiple recipients.
An email is an important tool in business communication. It’s a cost-effective marketing medium and one of the best forms to acquire new clients and always stay in touch – at its cheapest price. Most businesses nowadays use email marketing because it’s accessible to everyone, fast, unlimited, and convenient since you can also use your phone to send email proposals or to send immediate replies to potential clients, for you not to miss an opportunity. It’s proven that email marketing empowers direct engagement to customers because it stores a permanent record of messages, replies, and complete details when a message was received.
2. Instant messaging
As one of the most popular internet communication tools, instant messaging lets you send messages real-time. You can use it to have a private conversation with another person and you can also create a chat room to communicate with multiple users. When it comes to email, you’ll need to wait until your recipient checks your message and sends a reply. But with instant messaging, you can check whether an individual is online. When you send a message, it will immediately pop out on their screen. Some popular tools include ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, and Facebook Messenger. You can install them on your phone or your computer.
3. VoIP and Internet Phone System
Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a modern phone system that uses the internet network to transmit your call. Unlike the conventional telephony, VoIP is software-hosted in your cloud that will allow you to save some money since it will cut off buying additional copper lines or what we call the traditional telephony (PSTN). VoIP can work on different devices such as smartphone, tablets, or desk computers. VoIP was designed not just to simply make phone calls, but it can also generate usage reports such as the date and time the call comes in. You can use that data to improve your business and for marketing purposes. Depending on the size of your business, phone system can cost as much as $1,000 per user.
4. Internet Relay Chat
Internet Relay Chat (IRC) was one of the prime chat tools on the internet. IRC allows you to communicate privately or in groups with multiple users. You can join a group and send a message that will be read by all the participants, and you may also send a private message to a particular user in the group if you wish to do so. Some IRC clients will also allow you to create your own channel and invite other users to join.
This communication tool was introduced in the earlier years but it is still used by some businesses today to keep team members coordinated and to handle tech support for some open-source software.
5. Video Calls and Conferences
Video conferencing has become more valuable in the business world, especially that we’re facing a pandemic. Video calling allows you to communicate while your camera is on, not just a voice call. You can see other user’s facial expressions and activities while on call, which makes it easier for those who are on a long distance call.
Aside from exchanging conversations, you can also share documents with other team members to ensure that everyone can cope up during the discussion. It’s also essential for you to have a good background setup and to wear proper clothing before you join a business video conferencing unless you’d like them to see your secret mess.
Here are some video chat systems to consider using:
- Microsoft Skype
- Google Hangouts
- Apple Facetime
- Zoom
- Slack
You can use either your phone or a computer to conduct a video call.
6. Social Networks
This is a means of communication that has more features. It lets you stay connected to different users across the world. On these platforms, you can communicate with your family and friends or make new friends online. Here are some well-known social networks: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more.
You can sign up for these platforms using your email address or your phone number. Once registered, you can now find friends and add them to your contact list. These platforms will also show your friends’ followers within the platform.
Social networks are also used for entertainment and endorsement these days. Using this tool, you can follow public profiles like your favorite celebrities and get updated on their activities. You can also share events, news, and advertise products and services to your contact list.
7. Forums
You can also communicate online using forums. Forums are websites that allow users to post questions and start a discussion like a bulletin board. Forums are usually monitored and updated with specific admins or moderators. Unlike chat, they are almost never live and can be read at any time.
These are just the top 7 internet communications you can use, and there are still more. To decide on the best way to communicate over the internet, make sure to identify your specific needs and goals.
Conclusion
Internet communications have brought convenience and opened a lot of opportunities in recent years. People can now work remotely through the use of these tools. It has made long-distance communication a lot easier and enabled families and businesses to stay in touch. Based on the Internet World Stats report, 62% of the world population use internet communication. This number shows how it has become a necessity and that we can no longer live in this world without it.
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