UPDATED 10:36 EDT / NOVEMBER 07 2013

NEWS

Don’t like Google Helpouts? Try these rival services instead

Google recently introduced a new service, or platform as the search giant calls it, that allows people to ask for help from experts in a video call.  people can ask for help with anything from recipes, to DIY projects, and even learning a new language on Google Helpouts.  The platform is the fusion of its identity tools, Google+ Hangouts, and Google Wallet.  And because Google Wallet is involved, this means money is involved.  You pay to talk to some of the experts – though not all of them, as there are some who’re willing to offer their help for free.

For paid expert advice, you can choose between paying for per minute sessions or paying for a whole session.  The price varies from anywhere between a $1 to $30 or even more, it depends on your query, the expert, and the amount of time you spend talking with the expert.

This is still a work in progress, which means you may not find the experts you are looking for. Or even if you do, it might cost you more than a dollar or two for a brief session.  If you’re not a big fan of Google, or you just want other options for your queries, here are some other services that’s like Helpouts:

AirPair

 

Unlike Helpouts that lets you find experts from different verticals, AirPair is developer-focused.  You can use it to help you find a programming partner so you two can work faster, hire an expert to review your code or solve bugs, or if you think there are so many things you still don’t know you can find mentors for one-on-one sessions on NodeJS, Python, PHP, Java and other coding languages or even get a better understanding of Android and iOS. According to AirPair CEO Jonathon Kresner, its month on month revenue has been growing more than 40 percent for dozens of months, which means people are really interested in paying for experts they see on video calls, Google may have hit a sweet spot with Helpouts.

codementor

 

codementor works just like AirPair in the sense that it helps you find expert developers who are willing to impart their knowledge and expertise for a fee.  A typical session costs $10 for 15 minutes.  It starts with you posting your issue then it finds an expert on your concern.  The expert helps you via screen sharing, video, and text chat, but if you are not satisfied, codementor makes it right or you get a 100 percent refund.  Aside from that, if you think you are an expert, you can sign up to be a codementor and start getting paid for your skills and knowledge.

Clarity

 

If you have a startup company and you are unsure of how to get your business off the ground, Clarity can help you get advice from seasoned entrepreneurs.  To start, you pick an expert you want to talk to and schedule when you can talk.  If the expert confirms, you will get a confirmation email containing a conference line, access code and when the meeting will take place.  You can invite other members of your team to join the meeting.  On the set date and time, call the conference line.  You will then be charged the expert’s per minute rate after the call has ended.  After that, you can leave a rating and review for the expert.

Wizpert

 

This service functions much like Helpouts as you have more verticals to choose from, such as leisure, programming, consumer products, business and even life in general.  To start using Wizpert, you just have to pick a topic, then an expert – there are a lot of experts to choose from, then the payment will be taken cared of after your session.

Live Ninja

 

This service is a broader form of Helpouts as it offers hundreds of topics to choose from.  To start using Live Ninja, you need to sign up first, but doing so is free.  The only time you have to pay is if you hire a Live Ninja expert that charges for a session.  It also offers live events and webinars if you don’t mind sharing the screen with others.  Plus, if you think you have skills and knowledge to impart, you can sign up to be a Live Ninja expert.

In conclusion, Google haters who’re stuck in a predicament and need expert advice don’t have to settle for Helpouts. There are other many viable services available that may well offer even better advice than what the search engine giant can muster – at least, for now


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