Using webcams has revolutionized the small business world. Now business owners can conference with colleagues and associates around the world, secure their businesses and create virtual businesses. All this without leaving the comfort of their own homes. PC cameras have made virtual business just as successful as any other brick and mortar establishment.

Webcams have a variety of uses. Not only can you use them to create video files for emailing, but webcams can also be used as a security tool. As you set out to look for webcams for sale, remember the following:

1. Determine your objective for using your webcam, so you can better set yourself up.

2. Make sure you have the necessary equipment, accessories and software.

3. If you want to web conference your fellow conference members should also have a webcam, so you may need to set your employees up also.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Meet with fellow associates, employees and clients with your PC cams

Video conferencing is fast becoming a norm in many businesses. Setting up your webcam is easy as long as you have the right equipment and software. There are many options, so make sure you pick the one that meets the needs of your business.

I recommend: Webcam World provides extensive information about web cameras, including how to set them up and a listing of top rated webcams. Virtual Meeting Review features a review for Webex’s MeetMeNow, a small business web conferencing product you can use in conjunction with your webcam.

Use web cameras as surveillance tools to protect your business

You can also use your webcam for surveillance or security purposes by simply turning on a motion sensor function. This transforms the device so it will begin recording once it senses movement. Other advanced options are available for security.

I recommend: Webmonkey addresses security concerns that you should be aware of when using a webcam. For basic methods, Simple Help offers a tutorial on setting up your system as a security camera.

Create a streaming webcam with your PC camera

You can use a streaming webcam in many capacities. Not only can it be used for virtual classrooms or remote surgeries, but it is also useful for monitoring remote locations or construction projects.

I recommend: Commercial Networks Services offers a "how to" for setting up a streaming web cam. Network Webcams offers hosting services for web cam streaming, with benefits that include quick and easy implementation features that let you cut and paste HTML code.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember that the webcam is obviously more transparent than a telephone or email. Make sure you understand how netiquette calls for you to look and act the part of a professional with a web camera.
• •  You might consider signing up with a support system forum so you get access to real time assistance if your webcam needs troubleshooting.

Web cameras (or webcams) are little digital cameras that send still or video images out to the Internet, live or recorded. Typical webcams are simple multimedia video cameras made to shoot at close range; clip one on your computer monitor, point it at your face and you’re ready for your (often grainy) closeup. Higher end web cameras, often called network cameras, are more like security cameras capable of taking good resolution images across a room.

Webcam technology use by business is spreading rapidly as prices drop. Cheap models are below $20 and major computer manufacturers now offer web cameras built in to monitors. Webcam opportunities for business include:

1. Talking to clients or staff via videoconferencing, internet phone calls or instant messaging with live webcams equipped with microphones.
2. Promoting your business with live webcams showing what’s going at your shop or restaurant. Promoting yourself with a videoblog recorded on a web camera.
3. Monitoring your business while you’re away through webcams.
4. Giving free webcams as promotional gifts to clients and staff – cheap web cameras come embedded in stuffed animals and other toys and novelty shapes.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Webcam basic gear

The basic webcam setup is a camera you clip to your laptop screen or computer monitor and plug into your computer via a USB cable. A built-in microphone or connected headset captures the audio. Operating software comes with the web camera. Alternatively, get a laptop or monitor with webcam built in.

I recommend: Take a look at the Web sites of two major webcam makers, Logitech and Creative Technology, for an idea of the range of features on standalone webcams. If you want to go built-in, check out the MacBook laptop or a Dell flat-panel monitor.

Shopping for webcams

Webcams are widely available online and prices are competitive. As you move up the price points for web cameras, you get better lenses (glass vs. plastic) higher image quality (up to high definition video levels), more range of shooting angles for the lens (some have automatic tracking that moves as your face moves) and better microphones.

I recommend: Try Bizrate, Nextag or your favorite shopping engine.

Live webcams for communications

Televise yourself with a webcam through instant messaging, internet telephone calls or online videoconferencing.

I recommend: Microsoft sells the LifeCam web camera that’s optimized for its Windows Live service but your webcam should come with software that gets your video on the major instant messaging services as well as internet telephone service Skype. Webcam videoconferencing solutions include HearMe, camfrogweb and WebEx.

Network cameras: live webcams for monitoring

If you're looking for a webcam to keep a close eye on your business premises from afar, you start to move into the security camera market with more sophisticated web cameras that may be able to shoot in the dark and respond to commands to pan, tilt and zoom. Check into a network camera - a webcam with a built in computer that can wirelessly send images to a computer network

I recommend: Linksys makes network web cameras for the home market and Axis Communications is a leader in the field for corporate security.

Toy and promotional webcams

For giveaways to clients or staff, buy novelty webcams embedded in stuffed animals or other fun shapes or branded with your logo.

I recommend: Clique Communications offers a colorful webcam on a bendable stand. Find a stuffed puppy dog with a bellybutton web camera at Wholesale-Star. Order a webcam printed with your logo at Promopeddler.com.

Publicizing your business with webcams

Point live webcams at the bar in your restaurant, your showroom floor, your construction site, or any other spot you want to show off on the web.

I recommend: Sites like EarthCam look for web camera views to feature. Or stream your own webcam video on UStream.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Webcams can't stream full-motion video - sudden motions will make a blur. So keep those excited hand gestures to a minimum.
• •  Webcam lenses typically are fixed, meaning the lens can't zoom. Webcam software, however, can zoom to one part of the image, showing it in a larger format, though with less picture quality.

Webcams are very popular computer tools. Because PC cams are so versatile, they are used both for personal computers as well as on the job. They can connect people with other offices around the world for business meetings and other professional purposes. Web cameras are also a vital tool in the classroom, where they are a vital component of distance learning.

There are many ways to gather information about web cameras and learn how to use these tools to improve business. Along with stores that offer webcams for sale, you can get webcam training from the following:

1. Online and in-person seminars that can teach you the basics of using a webcam.

2. Tutorials provided by the webcam vendors.

3. Articles that move beyond applications and into how the technology works.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use seminars and walkthroughs to learn how to set up PC cameras

A PC cam can be used for many tasks in the office. However, if you are not aware of all the options webcams have to offer, or how to best use the camera's software, you will not use your equipment effectively. There are many seminars both online and in-person that teach you how to best utilize this technology in your business.

I recommend: Adobe provides many seminars that can teach you how to use its products, including its video software and webcam technology, to improve classroom education. Commercial Network Services provides comprehensive information that will help you learn how to set up your webcams and use them to provide streaming video.

Take advantage of web camera tutorials online

Most webcam manufacturers can provide your business with tutorials to help you and your employees learn about your particular model's features, as well as other programs you can use to enhance your webcam's capabilities.

I recommend: Logitech provides comprehensive tutorials that can teach you how to set up a webcam, what you can do with different features, and how to use compatible applications. ManyCam also has similar tutorials to walk you through various features of the company's webcam for sale.

Learn how to use web conferencing software with webcam technology

Web conferencing software is an essential part of using webcams in the workplace. Conferencing software will allow your business to use webcam technology to make conference calls and hold meetings with other companies around the world.

I recommend: Wiredred provides user guides for its web conference products, including separate guides for users and administrators. Webex offers Webex University, an online resource where you can learn all about the features in its web conferencing software.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you want to integrate PC camera technology into your business, evaluate your current technology to see if these components will be compatible.