Business programme
Start-Up, Scale-Up by Lloyds Bank Academy
Video calling
Learn to make video calls using various tools.
Introduction to 'Video calling'
With a video call, you can keep in touch with someone when you’re not with them. It doesn’t need to replace meeting them in person, but it helps when that’s just not possible. They might live far away, be ill, or maybe you don't want to miss something important, but you just can’t be with them. Like a baby’s first steps.
People also use video calling for work meetings. This saves the time and effort of finding a time and place for everyone to meet in person.
In this lesson, we’ll help you get started with video calling.
What you'll learn
- What video calls are.
- The tools you can use and how to pick the right one.
- How to make, take and set up video calls.
How long it takes
11 minutes
What is video calling?
Chapter 1
How long it takes
2 minutes
What are video calls?
Video calls are just like phone calls, but instead of just voice, you can also see the person or people you’re talking to. They work by using the internet, so that means you'll need mobile data or Wi-Fi.
Adding the video element to your calls can help you communicate better if you’re away from your friends and family. To video call, you’ll need to use a webcam, or have a device with a camera built in.
Two ways to video call
There are two main types of video calling tools. You can use both for very different things. Social media apps are great for personal, casual and social purposes. You might use web meeting tools for more formal or group meetings. There are no rules about which type to go for, but they do offer different benefits.
Using social media and other apps
Video calling is just part of what you can do in the social media apps. There are also apps just for video, voice and text chat. These tend to be more casual and work well for one-to-one calls. You can phone with or without video, and you can even message while on the phone. This is helpful if you want to send a link or an image to someone you’re chatting to.
Popular examples include WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Some of these are just for mobile devices. You can use others on a laptop or desktop too.
These apps make it easier to have a spontaneous video call. Much like a normal phone, you just make and take calls as and when you feel like. Some of them also let you meet with a group and schedule a call in advance too.
Using web meeting tools
These tools work well for more formal and scheduled group calls. People usually make these calls from a laptop or desktop, but you can use them from your mobile or tablet too.
Usually, they’re standalone services. Some are built into other work-based software. For example, Zoom is a standalone web meeting tool. While Microsoft Teams can come by itself or as part of Microsoft’s 365 suite of office tools. Google Meet is the same – you can get it on its own or as part of Google Workspace.
You can use the apps for web meetings and the web meeting tools to make personal calls too. There are no hard and fast rules about which to use when. But to get the best results, it helps to use them for what they were designed for.
You can use the apps for web meetings and the web meeting tools to make personal calls too. There are no hard and fast rules about which to use when. But to get the best results, it helps to use them for what they were designed for.
Using apps to video call
Chapter 2
How long it takes
1 minute
Examples of free video calling apps
Some popular apps you can use for video calls include:
This one’s just for text, voice and video calls. Download the app and register your phone number to get started.
If you have an Apple device like as iPhone, iPad or MacBook, you get this built in.
You’ll need a Facebook account to use this app. You can search for friends on Facebook and contact them directly.
If you have a Snapchat social media account, you can make video calls with a friend or a group.
You can find this in the message section of your Instagram account. Or just tap on a contact to see the video call icon.
Things to consider about social media apps
Before you pick a social media tool, there are a few things to think about:
- They’re usually free – Most of these apps are free to use. They make their money by showing you adverts.
- You’ll need to sign up for an account – This means you’ll need to share some of your details. Think about how to stay safe and control who sees your account.
- Keep your apps up to date – Whichever one you pick, do this to keep safe. If possible, turn on automatic updates.
Want more help on how to use these platforms safely? Check out our lesson Stay safe on social media.
Which one should I pick?
This comes down to personal choice. You need to decide which ones will work for you. You may decide to use more than one.
Our Use social media lesson has more on the different social media platforms, to help you pick one that’s right for you.
Web meeting tools
Chapter 3
How long it takes
2 minutes
Types of web meeting tool
In this chapter, we’ll look at different web tools you can use for meetings and calls. These often have more features and settings than the social apps.
Pick a tool to find out more
-
Zoom has both free and paid options. The free version gives you unlimited one-to-one calls, plus 40-minute group calls (up to 100 people in the call). If you want longer group calls, you’ll need a paid plan.
You can download the desktop or mobile app, or use it from your web browser.
-
Microsoft Teams can come standalone or as part of Microsoft’s 365 suite of software. The free version lets you make 60-minute video calls for up to 100 people. You will need a Microsoft account for this.
People tend to use Teams at work, or when they have more formal meetings and conversations.
-
You can get the Google Meet on it’s own or as part of Google’s Workspace suite. You’ll need a Google account. You can download the Google Meet app or use it on your browser.
Just like Teams, the free option gives you 60-minute video calls for up to 100 people. You can also link it to your Google calendar and Gmail.
Things to consider
Just like social media, there are a few things to bear in mind before you decide to use one of these tools.
There's no need to join social media
You can video call without signing up for social media.
They are flexible
With these kinds of platforms, you tend to get more options to add features.
There can be extra costs
Though these services may offer more flexibility, you may have to pay more. Depending on what it is you want to do, it may be worth paying for the extras.
Not everyone uses the same tools
Sometimes this means the person you’re calling needs to have an account with the same provider too.
How do you pick?
We’ve mentioned the most common tools here. But there’s even more out there.
Take time to look through the options. This helps you find the right tool for you, before you spend money or give any personal details.
Be aware
Always check that the platforms you pick have a good reputation. The best way to do this is by reading reviews or asking people you trust.
Getting started with calls
Chapter 4
How long it takes
2 minutes
Making a call
Once you’re all set up and happy, you’re ready to make a call. How you do this depends on the tool you’re using. So always look for help and support from your service. Most of them make their call buttons easy to spot. Look out for a phone symbol for voice-only calls and a video camera symbol for video calls.
How to make a call
Step 1
Open the tool or service you want to use.
Step 2
Search for the person you want to call using their name.
Step 3
Select the call button and wait for them to answer.
Your contacts
On social media platforms, you usually need to add the person first, as a ‘friend’ or ‘contact’. Then they just need to accept the call. With platforms like WhatsApp, just add the person’s phone number to your contacts. On web meeting platforms, it can work a little differently and you’ll need to schedule a call. We’ll cover this shortly.
Answering a call
Answering a video call works a lot like a voice call. On most services, it comes up on your device or you’ll hear some kind of ringtone. How you answer the call will vary, so check the instructions to make sure you know how it works on your device. Why not have a test call with a friend, to check this out?
Some tools need you to press a button to pick up. Often, this says 'Answer’ or ‘Join’. If you’re using a touchscreen device, some services get you to swipe left or right to answer or reject a call.
Top tip: many of these services use the colour green for answer, and red for reject.
Be aware
Don’t accept calls from people you don’t recognise.
If you receive a link inviting you to a call, double-check who sent it. Some social apps let you set your privacy settings so that only people you know can call you.
Setting up a call
We already said that web meetings work a little differently. On some of these services, you can just phone someone by using their email address. But mostly, you’d set up a call by ‘scheduling’ it. You can schedule both one-to-one and group calls.
A scheduled call lets you pre-plan a meeting. They aren’t just for work. You can schedule a group call with your family or friends.
How you do this varies between platforms, but usually involves these steps:
Step 1
Set the date and time of the call.
Step 2
You’ll get a link and a code to share with the people you want to invite.
Step 3
At the right date and time, join the call.
Be aware
Avoid uninvited guests - only share your meeting link or call details with people you trust.
If you need more help, our Digital Helpline can help. Free to use, just call us on 0345 222 0333. It’s open Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm.
You can use this service if you live in the UK or Channel Islands and you’re over 18 (or supervised by a parent or guardian if under 18).
Tips for effective video calls
Chapter 5
How long it takes
4 minutes
Before you start
There are no set rules on what you should do on your call, but we’re going to share some tips now. These should help you make a good impression.
Get the lighting right
Aim to make sure the light source is in front of you. This makes your face well-lit and visible. You can use natural light, like through a window, or artificial light, such as a lamp.
If you have the light behind you, the person you’re speaking to may not be able to see you properly.
Idea
Think about how you'll face the camera. Ideally, you should be able to look straight into it. This might mean holding your phone up, or using something to raise your laptop so it's at eye level.
For the person you're calling, this makes it feel more like you're looking at them.
Pick your background
A white or nicely decorated background is ideal. You probably don’t want anyone seeing any dirty dishes or piles of laundry. So, think about what you’re happy for people to see.
If you’re calling someone you know well, this might not matter too much.
Remember
Be careful about what’s visible in your background. Photos, personal items or valuables can reveal more than you think.
If you want to keep things private, use the tool’s features to blur, hide or change your background.
Check your internet connection
Video calling can really eat into your mobile data. So it’s a good idea to join from a Wi-Fi connection if you can.
If you want to video call regularly, think about switching to a service with a stronger Wi-Fi connection. Bear in mind the extra costs for this. As with anything, better features mean you may need to pay a bit more.
Think about noise
Find a quiet space to hold your call. If you can hear noise, the person on the other side will probably hear them too. If there’s someone vacuuming in the background, or an open window with loud noises outside, people might not be able to hear you.
Some tools have noise suppression features to help with this, so think about this when you pick your tool.
Prepare to meet
Meeting on the web is like meeting in person. Think about how you would prepare to meet the person you're calling if you were meeting face to face.
Again, this might not matter for casual chats with friends. But it’s important for more formal calls, like job interviews or work calls.
Be aware
Phoning someone overseas? Don't forget to check what time it is over there, before you make or schedule a call.
On the call
Your experience will depend on the service you use to make the call.
There are a few features and tips that are common across most video calling services, so let’s look at these now.
-
This usually looks like a video camera symbol. It won’t take you out of the call or end it. It just turns your camera off, until you turn it back on. No one else can turn your camera on or off – just you.
-
This is one of the most important features of most video calling tools. It can be the difference between a good and bad call, especially when you’re talking to more than one person. The mute button lets you make sure there’s no sound coming through your microphone. This means people can’t hear you or background noise – no coughs, doorbells or barking dogs! It’s a good one to use when you’re not speaking.
The mute button is usually a small microphone symbol. If there’s a line through it, this means you’re muted.
-
On a group call, text chat is usually part of the video calling service. This is a really useful feature. People can type answers, or you can send a response without having to interrupt the flow of the person talking.
This button is usually a speech bubble with lines in it to represent text.
-
When you’re on a laptop or desktop, sometimes you want to share what’s on your screen with the people on the call. For example, you might want to show a friend your holiday photos, or share a presentation with work colleagues.
Most web meeting services let you share your screen by selecting a symbol that looks like a box with an up arrow going through it.
-
If you want to keep your actual background hidden or you’d like to add a little fun, you can get virtual backgrounds. These let you upload your own image, or pick one from their list. It shows behind you on your call. You could add a plain coloured background, a picture of the beach or a fake office.
This is helpful if you don’t really want to share your home on a call.
Test your knowledge
Try again - that's not quite right!
Hint: Video calls transmit a large amount of data between your device and the person you're calling.
That's right!
The speed and stability of the internet connection is the most important factor for a successful video call. Without this, you might experience lag, dropped calls or low video quality.
While good lighting and a reliable device are important, they won't make up for a poor internet connection.
Want to learn more?
Socialise and connect online
Build your digital confidence
Lloyds Bank Academy is committed to providing information in a way that is accessible and useful for our users. This information, however, is not in any way intended to amount to authority or advice on which reliance should be placed. You should seek professional advice as appropriate and required. Any sites, products or services named in this module are just examples of what's available. Lloyds Bank does not endorse the services they provide. The information in this module was last updated on 12th March 2026.