You’re planning on creating a presentation for your company, but you’re not sure which software to use. There are several options out there, and each one has its unique features that will determine how it can be used. Instead of dashing off an unprofessional-looking deck with the first program, you find, look at the following tips before making your decision.
1. Open Source vs. Proprietary Software
There are two general types of presentation design programs: open source and proprietary. Each comes with its list of pros and cons; some businesses may prefer one over the other or benefit from using both types.
Open-source software is free to download and use. However, it also comes without professional support or updated versions. Since this is a free download, the company will have to pay for hosting and training for multiple staff members if they plan on using it as a long-term solution.
Proprietary software tends to offer more features, updates, and better design at the cost of hundreds of dollars per license (or a monthly subscription fee). The business will need access to a credit card to make the purchase.
2. Familiarity with Design
Your employees must know how presentation design works before handing them an official project. This includes navigating through the program, using templates from the library if needed, working within slide sorter view, etc. The more familiar they are with the layout and navigation, the easier it will be to get them up and to run.
3. Organization and Collaboration
If your presentation is extremely time-sensitive, then you might want software that allows multiple users to access and edit the same document at once. This comes in very handy when dealing with large projects or tight deadlines.
However, suppose you’re not under pressure to meet a hard timeline. In that case, this might not factor into your decision too heavily unless it’s specifically needed for some reason—in which case, select one that provides sharing options that are flexible enough for your needs (i.e., read-only vs. editing).
4. Compatibility with Others
The majority of presentations use images of some kind, whether graphs, logos, or just simple pictures. If you want to avoid compatibility issues (and who doesn’t?), select software that can save in popular formats like PDF. This will ensure that your audience can view your deck no matter what device they’re using (smartphone, laptop, etc.).
5. Ease of Use
As mentioned before, employees must be familiar with the software before working on a presentation. However, this doesn’t mean that the program should be difficult to use; quite the contrary. Look for an interface that is intuitive and easy to navigate. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to find something within a program when you’re already under pressure.
6. Mobile Compatibility
It isn’t always possible to give presentations at work; sometimes, employees need to present while they’re on-site at a client location or even traveling outside the country. For this reason, make sure your software can save files in mobile-friendly formats so your staff member won’t have any trouble getting the deck ready to go when they’re in a bind.
7. Price
Last but not least, price should always be a consideration when choosing any presentation software like Beautiful.ai for companies. Proprietary software can be expensive, but several open-source options are completely free to download and use. While most of these programs don’t come with professional support, some do offer paid upgrades that include this (as well as additional features).
So, what’s the best presentation software for your business? The answer to that question depends on your specific needs and what you value most. If you need a program with many features, proprietary software is the way to go. But if you’re looking for something easy to use and affordable, an open-source program is a great option. Whichever route you decide to go, make sure that the software you choose is compatible with the devices your employees are using.
