What is a webinar and how can you set one up?

What does 'webinar' mean?  

A webinar is a live online seminar where a presenter delivers a presentation, workshop or training session to an audience over the internet. Attendees can watch the presentation and interact through features such as chat, polls or live Q&A.

The word webinar combines the words web and seminar. Businesses commonly use webinars for marketing, training, product demonstrations and thought leadership.

If you’ve ever joined an online presentation, training session or virtual workshop, there’s a good chance it was a webinar.

A webinar is a live online seminar where a presenter delivers a presentation, training session or discussion to an audience over the internet. Attendees can watch, listen and interact through features such as chat, polls and Q&A.

For businesses, webinars have become a valuable way to educate audiences, generate leads, demonstrate expertise and build stronger customer relationships. In this guide, we explain what a webinar is, how it works and why it matters for modern marketing.

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What is a webinar?

A webinar is a live online seminar that allows one or more presenters to share information with a remote audience. The word webinar combines web and seminar.

Unlike a standard video, webinars are designed to be interactive. Depending on the platform, attendees may be able to ask questions, answer polls, join live chat or download resources.

Businesses commonly use webinars to:

• share expert insight
• train employees or customers
• demonstrate products or services
• generate new leads
• build trust with prospects

How does a webinar work?

Most webinars follow a simple process. A business chooses a topic, promotes the event, collects registrations and then hosts the session on a webinar or video platform.

A typical webinar includes:

• a host or presenter
• a scheduled date and time
• a registration page or sign-up form
• slides, visuals or a screen share
• interactive features such as Q&A, polls or chat

Attendees receive a joining link, log in at the scheduled time and watch the presentation live. Many webinars are also recorded so they can be shared later as on-demand content.

Why do businesses use webinars?

Webinars have become an important part of many B2B marketing and communication strategies because they combine education, engagement and lead generation in one format.

They can help businesses:

• generate quality leads through registrations
• demonstrate expertise in a useful, credible way
• engage audiences in real time through Q&A and polls
• build trust by answering questions directly
• repurpose content into blogs, clips and follow-up emails

Research suggests that webinars can generate highly engaged leads, with many attendees watching for over half the session. When webinars generate new enquiries, it’s important that every call is answered professionally. A Telephone Answering Service can help ensure no opportunity is missed.

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Common types of webinars

Not all webinars serve the same purpose. The right format depends on your audience and what you want the session to achieve.

• Educational webinars that teach an audience about a topic or challenge
• Product demos that show how a service or platform works
• Panel discussions that bring together multiple experts
• Training webinars that support employees or customers
• Thought leadership webinars that help brands share insight and authority

Webinar vs online meeting

Although the two can look similar, webinars and online meetings are usually designed for different purposes.

Webinar vs online meeting: what’s the difference?        

Webinar

• Presenter-led format
• Often larger audiences
• Structured agenda
• Q&A, chat and polls
• Best for education, marketing and training

Online meeting

• Collaborative format
• Usually smaller groups
• Open discussion
• Everyone can usually speak
• Best for teamwork and planning

What do you need to run a webinar?

You do not need a huge production setup to run an effective webinar, but you do need a few essentials in place.

• a clear topic and audience
• webinar software or video platform
• a presenter or host
• slides or visual content
• a registration page
• a promotion plan
• a follow-up process after the session

Webinar planning checklist

Use this checklist to keep your webinar planning focused and make sure every attendee gets a clear, professional experience.

✓ Step 1: Choose a topic your audience genuinely cares about

✓ Step 2: Create a clear registration page with strong benefits

✓ Step 3: Promote the webinar through email, social media and your website

✓ Step 4: Keep the session focused, useful and easy to follow

✓ Step 5: Build in interaction with polls, chat or live Q&A

✓ Step 6: Follow up afterwards with the recording and a clear next step

How long should a webinar be?

Most webinars last between 30 and 60 minutes. This gives presenters enough time to share valuable information while keeping the audience engaged.

• 15–20 minutes: short product demos
• 30–45 minutes: educational sessions
• 45–60 minutes: in-depth training or panel discussions

Popular webinar platforms

Businesses use a range of webinar platforms depending on audience size, features and budget.

• Zoom Webinars – widely used for large presentations
• Microsoft Teams – popular for internal training
• GoTo Webinar – built specifically for marketing webinars
• Webex – commonly used by enterprise organisations

Common webinar features

Most webinar platforms include tools designed to support audience interaction and presentations.

• screen sharing
• presentation slides
• live chat
• polls and surveys
• question and answer sessions
• webinar recording

In simple terms, a webinar is a live online presentation designed to educate, engage and connect with audiences remotely. Businesses use webinars to share expertise, demonstrate solutions and build stronger relationships with potential customers.

Frequently asked questions

• What does webinar mean?

Webinar is short for web seminar. It describes a seminar, presentation or workshop delivered online.

• Are webinars live or recorded?

Most webinars are hosted live, but many are recorded and shared later as on-demand content.

• What are webinars used for?

Businesses use webinars for marketing, product demonstrations, customer education, internal training and thought leadership.

• What is the difference between a webinar and an online meeting?

A webinar is usually presenter-led and built for a larger audience, while an online meeting is designed for collaboration and open discussion.

• Do you need special software to host a webinar?

Yes. Most businesses use webinar or video conferencing software that supports registration, screen sharing and audience interaction.