Group chat is a secure way of enabling teams to share information and ideas in real-time.
It’s a place where employees can talk and collaborate without distractions, so they can resolve any problems that pop up without interrupting their workflows.
While group chat for consumers has been around for some time, it’s only in recent years that businesses have woken up to their full potential. The business group chat apps market is now seeing significant growth as the demand for unified communication (UC) software booms.
The group chat allows employees to send instant messages between multiple participants in an organisation, enabling them to converse privately and securely.
Group chat is a dynamic form of communication that doesn’t slow the flow of information like email or office memos. It can benefit companies in various ways—especially when there’s a need to make rapid decisions.
It’s also an effective way of keeping records of decision-making points within conversations in rapidly changing situations.
Group chat offers the following benefits:
Not all group chat apps are created equal. Some key features to look out for, however, include:
Chat histories enable you to look back at past conversations and track down relevant information. This offers the potential to boost efficiencies, and in some cases, may even help you archive electronic communications for legal reasons.
This means you can send information to select groups and hone messages, so they resonate with them. This is a more efficient way to share important team updates or announcements that are time-sensitive.
Sharing files should be easy using click and drag, making collaboration between team members easy.
Apps should be a piece of cake to get to grips with, with clear user interfaces and keyboard shortcuts to enable users to move quickly between channels.
Teams should be able to access past conversations for relevant information quickly.
Not every discussion needs to involve the whole team, so choosing a chat app that organises conversations so some members can join or not join should be a priority.
When it comes to apps for teams, you’ll want one that delivers on communication, collaboration, and control. Here are some top team group chat apps to pick up the slack where other comms channels fall:
RingCentral is a one-stop communication app for businesses with many useful features to boost teamwork, including group chat.
Teams can stay on the same page effortlessly with dedicated threads for projects and topics and can message anyone, anywhere—including customers and partners by inviting them to converse in real-time.
Users can chat one to one via voice or video within multiple shared chat spaces and screen share, so everyone is kept in the loop. All data is archivable and easily retrievable, too, so teams can keep track of notes and files that can be found via keywords or by filters.
With RingCentral’s app, users can assign tasks with task management features and switch to telephone calls from any chat—or flip to a video meeting in just one click.
With Microsoft Teams, your account is your organisation or “org”, and users are invited into one or more teams with those teams broken down into channels.
Conversations within channels are threads, making things even more granular and giving the most organisation layers in any team chat app. It sounds a bit confusing, but overall the effect is streamlined and tidy.
Video and audio calls dominate, and users can schedule meetings and set agendas or hop on calls spontaneously. Collaboration features include integration with the Microsoft suite of tools for creating appointments and notes.
Pros
Cons
The troop is a group chat app that lets users seamlessly share in-house data with third-party apps, making the business process.
Multiple group settings include those around files, images, and document sharing, with the ability to add attachment options—location, file, link, or camera for mobile app. Troop Messenger is available on Android but also has multi-platform and cross-platform functionality.
Pros
Cons
Hangouts is a platform that enables users to set up new chats and engage seamlessly in various communications channels, whether one-to-one or in a group scenario. Highlights include HD group conferencing and voice calls, screen sharing, the ability to set calendar events, and custom options for administration.
Pros
Cons
ProofHub provides the perfect environment for team communication and enables workers to chat both within an office, remotely, or with clients. The app allows one-on-one chats and new group chats to @mention team members to bring them into the loop when necessary.
ProofHub uses project planning software that gives team members the right tools to organise projects. There’s the ability to assign, filter, and view data based on individual priorities. Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and tasks are useful features.
Pros
Cons
ConnectTeam is an all-in-one team management solution that incorporates effective tools to help boost workplace productivity. Users can access one-to-one or multiple private chats, along with immediate updates and social media posts. Chats can be created per location or projector by simply browsing the provided business directory for contacts.
There’s also an analytics feature and HR suggestion box. The basic plan allows for up to 200 users, and it’s possible to trial ConnectTeam for free.
Pros
Cons
Chanty lets teams communicate and send direct messages quickly, bringing all aspects of communication together—from chat and video to screen sharing and project management.
The app integrates with Google Drive, Dropbox, and Github, amongst others. Chanty allows users to inject a little fun into the working day with custom emojis and animated gifs.
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Cons
Facebook Messenger provides a straightforward way to chat with co-workers. All that’s required to start a messenger room is to drop a link and wait for people to join.
50 people can participate in a room, and there’s no time limit. Also, it’s free to use, and you can switch between viewing modes and share screens. If you’re using the mobile app, you can apply fun filters to lighten the mood.
Pros
Cons
Mattermost is an open-source chat app where users can collaborate with others in an ultra-safe environment.
Conversations are organised into channels along with threads—although all posts within threads are also posted on the main channel. Mattermost has search functionality that allows users to filter via the channel, user, or date, while video chat is handled by third parties.
Pros
Cons
GroupMe provides a private chat room for a smaller group, enabling greater coordination between group members. With native apps for iOS, Android, and Windows phones, users can send messages on the go. As well as on desktop when at the office—for those Windows or Linux device devotees—or from a tablet anywhere.
GroupMe doesn’t require an app. Users can add anyone from their phone book, and they’ll immediately be able to chat in a group. It’s also possible to group chat directly over SMS.
Pros
Cons
Improving communication requires considered strategy and a degree of effort. Make the most of group chat by using the following tips:
Rule out noise and irrelevant conversations. Make sure small groups don’t grow so big they’re out of control. Customise chat to individual teams, whether to a chat room, channel, project, or location.
Manage your group chat spaces on a granular level. Custom controls could include the ability to create and shut chat rooms, add or remove users, or locker rooms.
Check back on the chat history. This helps if you’re new to a group, can’t remember something, or are looking for what’s new. A little research via keyword or date can help to find the topic you want.
This is useful if you need to announce something urgently. Plus, the team won’t be left wondering if they need to post a response.
Business chat apps are more than simply tools. And they’re the face of the modern office. And they’re just as valuable for employees sharing a physical space as for getting people together remotely.
Simply typing in a quick message can bring in many helpful replies, enabling staff to solve problems in real-time and continue working without interruption.
Finding the right group chat app can take a little homework, however, and it’s important to create a wishlist of features you’ll require – whether that be file-sharing or chat histories.
It’s also essential to select an app that keeps conversations confidential. Taking the time to identify your ideal app is well worth the effort. You’re sure to be rewarded, both in terms of boosted productivity and employee engagement.
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