When used correctly, an online whiteboard can be a powerful tool for business development. Most people are visual learners, so you’ll convey your ideas accurately and improve collaboration inside your company by using a virtual whiteboard.

However, many novice virtual whiteboard users encounter various common issues that keep them from maximizing the software’s benefits.

Here are some of them.

You’re not connecting to a stable Wi-Fi network.

The main reason for investing in a virtual whiteboard solution is that it allows you to share ideas with your team, no matter where they are. It’s an educational and collaborative tool that can do wonders for your business.

Nonetheless, many business owners give up on using the software quite early in the process. That mostly happens because they’re not aware of their networking issues. If your team members are connected to a weak Wi-Fi signal, your whiteboard won’t relay your messages effectively. So, ensure your Wi-Fi is working correctly before starting an online brainstorming meeting!

You’re using it solely as an educational tool.

While, yes, online whiteboards can be a great way to explain a concept or an idea to your coworkers, where they shine the most is when they’re used for collaboration purposes.

So, make sure you’re not holding “lessons” over your digital board. Instead, let your coworkers engage and contribute to the discussion with their ideas and suggestions. In this way, you’ll create an environment that promotes innovation and creativity, and your employees will feel heard and appreciated.

You’re choosing the wrong software.

There are many types of virtual whiteboard software to choose from. Some are high quality while the others aren’t. It’s your responsibility to select the one that fits your business needs the best.

So, check the various online reviews and ratings, and always ask for a demo before you purchase the full product. Compare different software until you find the one that lines up with your expectations and your budget. In this way, you’ll ensure you’re getting everything you need to achieve the best possible results.

You haven’t read the tutorials.

Reading the user guide is of the utmost importance for making the most out of your online whiteboard. While most of these are relatively easy to use, it’s still better if you’ve read all the small details. There are probably some hidden functionalities and shortcuts you can use to make your remote working sessions even more useful.

So, don’t make the mistake of ignoring the user manual! If you’re unsure how to set everything up, don’t hesitate to ask your supplier for more details. Again, there’s nothing inherently complicated about online whiteboards, but reading/watching the tutorials can maximize your user experience.

You’re not making use of every feature the online whiteboard has to offer.

Most virtual whiteboards come with a wide range of features. You can effectively save your work, draw graphs and diagrams, even create your own animations! There’s a high chance you’re not making use of at least one feature that your whiteboard has to offer. Why is this so? You’ve paid for it; why shouldn’t you at least give it a try?

In most cases, people ignore these additional features because they’re unaware of them or don’t know how to use them. Make sure you’re not one of those people and use your virtual whiteboard to its full potential.

The bottom line

Online whiteboards can be quite useful for both small businesses and large enterprises managing their remote work environments. As long as you avoid the common mistakes listed in this article, you’ll quickly see an increase in productivity and collaboration between your employees.