Webinar software advice please

[LastAnni]

I'm just setting up a new arm to my business where I'll be running webinars. I'm really keen to get these started, as I have clients ready and waiting, but I'm not very technical and having trouble working out what I need from a webinar service provider. I want to run my webinars in small groups, and for them to really be more of a multi-way discussion than just me presenting to a number of people who can't interact with me or each other. Can anyone advise me finding a service where I can present via video, all my participants can see me (I don't need to see them), I can hear them, and they can hear each other? Does such a thing exist? Many thanks.

I've participated in webinars via gotowebinar that were like these (well had chance for participants to speak, and instant message). (Some) universities also use Blackboard which can be very good (participants can speak, facilitator chooses how many speaking at once), options of breakout rooms for smaller group work, instant messaging visible to all, sharing whiteboards etc. However I'm guessing Blackboard is expensive. But I'd be very interested in what others think is good technology and affordable for smaller businesses than universities. Isn't googleplus an option (I'm not at all technical, so maybe it is a complete red herring?

I've only really dealt with group call software with screensharing, rather than group presentation software, but webex was one of the best imo. Zoom.us is pretty good too. Google hangouts is ok, but limited numbers of participants. One v large firm I work with uses MS Lync (now 'skype for business' I believe) and that was good as long as you're not using Chrome!

I found this, which might be useful:
www.elegantthemes.com/blog/resources/the-15-best-webinar-software-products-from-around-the-web

Best of luck!

Meant to add - loads of additional opinions and suggestions in the comments of that article linked above.

great article Austenozzy, thanks

Thanks all, and apologies I haven't been able to get back to the thread until now. I really need to get this new project off the ground very soon, so am very keen to read through all your suggestions and get on with it :) Thanks again.