Once someone reaches your webinar, the final step is getting them to actually start watching.
This is what getting into the webinar is about:
- How easily someone can start watching
- Whether you know who they are when they do
The core tradeoff
Every setup balances two things:
- Friction (how easy it is to start watching)
- Lead capture (whether you collect their information)
In general:
- More friction leads to more reliable lead capture
- Less friction leads to easier access and higher attendance
There’s no single right answer. Think of this as a spectrum.
The right approach depends on your goal.
Two starting points
You don’t know who they are: Lead capture first
Common in sales and marketing.
You prioritize capturing information before access.
You already know who they are: Low friction first
Common in training and onboarding.
You prioritize ease of access.
Ways to get people into the webinar
Standard registration: Landing page and form
What it is
Send viewers to a page where they fill out a form before accessing the webinar.
Best for
Capturing new leads in a structured funnel.
Basic setup
- Create a landing page (eWebinar or custom)
- Add a registration form (standalone or embedded)
- Connect the form to your webinar
- Direct traffic to that page
Note
If you’re using an embedded player on a custom page and want upfront registration, add an in-video registration interaction at 0:00 so the form appears before the webinar begins.
Related features
Embedded Form, In-Video Registration, Registration Settings
Learn how to create your own custom landing page →
Auto-populated forms: URL parameters
What it is
Pre-fill form fields using known information passed through the URL.
Best for
Reducing friction for known contacts while still using a registration flow.
Basic setup
- Add parameters (e.g. name, email) to your registration link
- Ensure your form accepts and populates those values
- Send these links via email, CRM, or internal tools
Note
Many CRMs and marketing tools can insert these values dynamically as merge fields, allowing you to personalize links at scale. You can also pre-fill hidden fields (e.g. customer ID) to store additional data with the registrant.
Related features
Embedded Form, URL Parameters, Registration Settings
Learn more about URL parameters →
Ungated access: No registration required
What it is
Allow viewers to start watching without registering.
Best for
Maximizing reach and minimizing friction.
Basic setup
- Share an ungated link (on-demand or replay) or use the embedded player
- Distribute that link through your channels
- Optionally layer in registration later (mid-webinar or follow-up)
Note
If the session is fully ungated and you do not add any capture methods, it is not possible to identify the viewer.
Related features
Ungated Links (On-Demand or Replay), Embedded Player
Mid-webinar registration: In-video registration interaction
What it is
A registration form that appears inside the webinar at a specific moment.
Best for
Letting viewers start watching before asking them to register.
Basic setup
- Use an ungated link (on-demand or replay) or embedded player
- Add the in-video registration interaction
- Choose when it appears (after value is demonstrated)
- Set whether registration is required to continue
Related features
In-Video Registration, Ungated Links (On-Demand or Replay), Embedded Player
Mid-webinar contact capture: Contact form interaction
What it is
A form shown inside the webinar where viewers can submit their contact information.
Best for
Capturing leads without interrupting the viewing experience.
Basic setup
- Use an ungated link (on-demand or replay) or embedded player
- Add a contact form interaction
- Place it at a natural moment in the flow
- Customize the fields and messaging
Submissions convert anonymous viewers into known registrants.
Related features
Contact Form Interaction, Ungated Links (On-Demand or Replay), Embedded Player
Mid-webinar contact capture: Chat
What it is
Capture contact information through chat during the webinar.
Best for
Capturing leads conversationally during engagement.
Basic setup
- Use an ungated link (on-demand or replay) or embedded player
- Leave chat enabled (enabled by default)
- When a viewer sends a message, an in-chat form appears prompting them for their contact information
Submissions convert anonymous viewers into known registrants.
Related features
Chat, Ungated Links (On-Demand or Replay), Embedded Player
Personalized join links: URL parameters
What it is
A direct link that takes someone into the webinar without requiring registration.
Best for
Known contacts (email, in-app, support, sales follow-ups).
Basic setup
- Generate a personalized ungated link with user identifiers
- Send the link via email, CRM, or messaging tools
- The viewer enters the webinar directly
Note
Many CRMs and marketing tools allow you to insert these values dynamically as merge fields, so links can be personalized at scale.
Related features
URL Parameters, Ungated Links (On-Demand or Replay), Embedded Player
Retargeting: Cookie-based access
What it is
Bring viewers back into the webinar via ads or campaigns using stored session data.
Best for
Re-engaging people who didn’t attend or didn’t complete the webinar.
Basic setup
- Enable tracking (cookies or pixels)
- Create retargeting audiences (site visitors, partial viewers, etc.)
- Run campaigns linking back to an ungated link
- Returning viewers re-enter seamlessly
Related features
Ungated Links (On-Demand or Replay), Tracking / Cookies, Integrations
CRM or third-party auto-registration
What it is
Automatically register contacts from your CRM or other tools.
Best for
Onboarding flows, lifecycle campaigns, and sales workflows.
Basic setup
- Configure email sending via your system (SMTP or SendGrid integration)
- Connect eWebinar to your CRM or tool (e.g. via Zapier)
- Send contacts into eWebinar as registrants
- Trigger confirmation emails with join links
Related features
Integrations, Zapier, Registration Settings
Learn more about auto-registration →
SSO: Single sign-on
What it is
Allow logged-in users to access the webinar without registering again.
Best for
SaaS platforms and internal training.
Basic setup
- Configure SSO for your environment
- Restrict webinar access to authenticated users
- Users access the webinar seamlessly when logged in
Related features
SSO, Advanced Access Control
Learn more about SSO setup →
Webinar series: One registration, multiple sessions
What it is
Users register once and can access multiple webinars from a personalized series page that tracks their progress.
Best for
Training programs, onboarding, and ongoing education.
Basic setup
- Group webinars into a series
- Enable single registration
- Provide a central page for access
Note
If combined with SSO, users can access the series without registering.
Related features
Webinar Series, SSO
How to think about this
As people move through your system:
- They often start as anonymous
- Then become known once they register or share information
- Then move into lower-friction access over time
A strong setup supports this progression.
How this connects to the system
- Destinations determine where people enter
- Distribution brings them there
- Getting into the webinar determines what happens next
See the Destinations Guide →
See the Distribution Guide →
Common patterns
Sales & marketing: Lead capture first
- Start with registration
- Reduce friction over time
- Bring people back with easier access
See the Sales & Marketing Playbook →
Training & onboarding: Low friction first
- Start with low friction
- Minimize or remove registration
- Focus on easy, repeat access
See the Training & Onboarding Playbook →
What to do next
If you’re just getting started:
- Choose one approach
- Match it to your goal
- Implement the basic setup
Then:
- Layer in additional approaches
- Reduce friction where possible
- Improve how and when you capture information