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October 11, 2023
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October 11, 2023Event websites are the first place where someone will experience your event. The first time someone experiences your info is when they lay eyes on your event page. No matter what your job is, great event websites are always beautifully designed.
When creating an event website, all your efforts should be geared towards 1) boosting your site’s traffic and 2) boosting your registration numbers or numbers of RSVPs through the site. While the first one isn't that simple, you can solve the second one with an event booking system and a sophisticated visitor management system, that provides a touchless mobile visitor sign-in and entry system for better user experience..
When focusing on these two areas any theme, style, and layout structure can be used while still building a following. Naturally, how good the event itself also plays a key role in how many tickets will be sold. But great event websites showcase great events, which will in turn help boost ticket sales and generate buzz.
Event websites tips and examples
Basically, your event page should be:
- Inviting and aesthetically pleasing
- Converting
- Easy to navigate
- User-friendly
If your goal is creating an event website that will convert passers-by into participants as well as generating a lot of buzz before the event even takes place, check out these tips for creating the best event websites.
Designing Your Landing Page
When designing event or conference websites, select a theme and don’t stray away from it. No matter whether you’ve gone for an 80s aesthetics or black and white typography, ensure it matches the tone and mood of the conference. You can also match your theme to your web copy (techie, serious, funny) or to how you used white space to organize your page’s content.
Interface consistency is guaranteed when designing with a theme. Since thematic websites generate patterns for users to pick up, they’re popular among them due to being user-friendly. If incredible graphics don’t match your event, they’re not necessary. However, it’s a good idea to recreate the conference’s mood by creating a mood for your event page.
Are you aware of the link between colors and psychology? Various feelings are invoked by various colors – e.g. blue invokes trustworthiness, red invokes confidence, and yellow invokes fun. This allows you to set the website’s tone by selecting colors that represent the feeling you want to invoke in your visitors.
The branding guidelines of your organization may restrict you, but generally speaking, light backgrounds go with dark-colored texts. It’s visually appealing, encourages engagement, and boosts conversions.
Homepage header:
A good homepage header features everything found on the best conference websites:
- A large logo with a clear tagline
- A full-screen background image
- A fixed header and crisp navigation links
- Event dates containing extra info about the activities of each day
- Other images of scheduled speakers, along with other header photos applied to internal pages such as the event seminar and workshops.
Keep the user experience in mind while designing your layout. Think about your typical visitor’s desires and needs. Consider how they might scroll through the page, what they might click on, and how they might navigate your content.
Mobile World Congress draws attention to its navigation bar by utilizing bright colors. The first link says “start here” and has a dropdown menu of links explaining where and when, what should be expected, and the agenda of the conference. This is as simple as it can get.
Thinking Digital Conference‘s UX methodologydiffers slightly but is just as effective. Their homepage contains everything necessary: location, date, and a brief tagline. Their most unique feature is their guiding link text which reads “so, is this for you?” and it auto-scrolls as you go down the page.
All conference and event websites require a user-friendly experience that aims to help visitors answer their own questions, and possibly even take certain actions.
Visual hierarchy is what sets apart a site that simply “looks good” from a site that has an impact on user decisions and flow.
With strategic use of layout, color, size, style, and spacing, your visitors are enticed into remaining on your site, continuing to read and building toward the main objective, which is signing up for your event. Your readers are also able to tell the difference between fun facts and vital information.
Typography With Structure:
When designing event websites, be careful of your text’s style, placement, and size, and especially the relationship between paragraphs and headers. Visitors should be aware of the content hierarchy that divides content sections even when just skimming through the website.
Another important principle of design is related to the wonderful universe of hover states.
Use this as the chance to include emotion and motion in your event site. Here are some ideas:
- The appearance of a drop shadow or slick underline on a button
- Adding some fun to your page by having that button transform into an animated GIF
- Having your speaker’s bio revealed when hovering on their image.
All of these examples are really effective at adding life to event websites.
Feature signup prompts in various parts of the site:
The best event sites are able to convert website visitors into event attendees. Each page’s brightest and largest button should be leading your visitors to your registration page. This is why a call-to-action button or link should be featured on every page of your website in the same place.
CTAs may be in the form of links, forms, buttons, or basically anything that encourages users to take a certain action. Event websites aim to sell tickets, provide new visitors with information, increase email lists and perhaps even allow speakers and sponsors to contact them offering their services.
This varies based on what kind of conference is being held, so play around to find out which actions boost conversions the most.
Visitors should have a cohesive experience, therefore narrow your registration process down to these key elements:
- Include a button that’s fun to click on
- Ensure the beautiful branding of your form: feature options for ticket type or registration, tracks/sessions, add-ons, meals, payment information etc.
- Tie everything together with an on-page or email confirmation message
Use Visuals as Selling Points:
Visitors are more enticed by visually-presented information. This is why should include the right amount of videos or images related to your event. Images give visitors something to expect, which is why they’re so popular. They can view previous venues, speakers, audience members, stages, and can relive the atmosphere of previous events.
There are various kinds of visuals that can be incorporated into event websites. Here are some examples:
- Images of the event’s location (neighborhood, city etc.)
- Images from your previous events give insight into what visitors can expect if they sign up for your event.
- Image galleries from previous events – may include action shots, close-ups, and presentations on the event stage.
Keep Track of Conversions:
Google Analytics is a free and valuable tool to gain insight which will optimize your event’s website and content. Not only is it’s set-up quite simple, but you’re also able to gain real insights into your website’s and audience’s behavior thanks to its powerful reports.
Contact, Mobile, and Social Sharing:
Since more than half of your audience will visit your website using a mobile device, you’ll risk losing them when it’s most important to keep them if they’re unable to easily access vital information regarding your event.
Your landing page’s design should be optimized for mobile use. If visitors have any questions regarding the event or there are issues with your registration process, they should be able to let you know without any fuss. Your event webpage should include easy ways to reach out to you, be that through email, social media, or a contact form.
Elements That Must Be Included On An Event Landing Page
The event’s name is the first thing that visitors’ eyes should go to. Use large and bold letters, and position it in the middle of your page if possible so that they know exactly what site they are currently on.
ConveyUX‘s website includes an example that’s difficult to miss. There are two large above-the-fold sections dedicated to where and when, and both of them are appropriately labeled. Since the term UX is featured in the conference’s name, the general assumption is that this is an event about user experience design. There’s still a tagline underneath to make sure everyone’s on the same page.
A conference website isn’t the final product. The final product is the event itself; the website is just a means to an end.
If you’re uncertain about which information should be placed in clear view, check out this list:
- Location – city, state, country, perhaps venue address
- Time – year, month, and date(s)
- Ticket price – optional but valuable; challenging when it comes to multi-pass prices
- Description – what’s happening? What’s the event’s purpose? What’s the reason to attend? Who else might come? What can I learn?
Prominently display why the event should be attended and who the target audience is:
This what is sometimes known as the unique selling proposition – it informs your audience of the features that make your event stand out and how they’ll benefit from attending it. The aim is for your website to be visited by your target audience, and for them to recognize themselves as the target audience without difficulty and tell themselves, "This event is for me."
This is why your homepage and other pages should include a list of your target audience(s).
A good idea is to specifically mention those whose attendance will benefit them: human resources professionals, repair technicians, marketing managers etc.
Other event details to include on your homepage:
Once all of the essential information at the top of your site has been viewed by visitors, the next step is to get into the more in-depth details. Visitors should be able to find the following information as they scroll down:
- links to the schedule of the event
- a list of the event’s speakers
- galleries from previous events
- social proof
- sponsors and event summaries
Your conference or event page website is what helps guarantee the success of your event. In order to ensure your marketing plan’s success, each element needs to be addressed in a strategic way so that the right notes can be hit and your organization’s bottom line impacted.
FAQ on designing event websites
What's the main goal of an event website?
Well, the heart and soul of an event website is to promote the event, right? It's all about giving visitors the lowdown on what's happening, when, and where. Think of it as your digital invitation card. It's gotta be catchy, informative, and make folks wanna join in. Plus, it's a hub for all things related to the event – schedules, ticketing, FAQs, you name it.
How important is mobile optimization?
Oh, it's huge! I mean, who doesn’t check stuff on their phone these days? If your event website isn't mobile-friendly, you're missing out on a ton of potential attendees. People want info on-the-go. So, ensure that your design looks fab on both desktop and mobile. And remember, it's not just about looking good, but also about being user-friendly.
Should I include a ticketing system?
Absolutely! If your event requires tickets or RSVPs, integrating a ticketing system is a game-changer. It streamlines the process, making it easier for attendees to secure their spot. Plus, it gives you a clear picture of how many are coming. So, it's a win-win. There are tons of platforms out there, so pick one that vibes with your event's feel.
How can I boost user engagement?
Engagement is the name of the game. You want your visitors to feel the excitement. Use dynamic content like videos, interactive schedules, and maybe even a blog with updates. Oh, and don’t forget social media integration. Let them share, tweet, and post about your event. The more buzz, the better!
What about SEO for my event site?
Ah, SEO, the unsung hero of the digital world. Yes, you should definitely optimize your event website for search engines. Use relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and all that jazz. Remember, you want people to find your event when they're searching for something cool to do. So, sprinkle in those semantically relevant keywords and make Google your best friend.
How often should I update the content?
Keep it fresh! Regular updates keep your audience in the loop and build anticipation. If there are changes in schedules, speakers, or any other key details, get it on the site ASAP. And hey, a little teaser now and then about what's coming up doesn't hurt either.
Should I have a FAQ section?
Oh, for sure! A FAQ section is like that helpful friend who's got answers to everything. It reduces the number of queries you'll get and helps attendees feel more informed. Think of the common questions folks might have about your event and lay 'em out. Trust me, your inbox will thank you.
How do I make my site visually appealing?
Design is king, or queen, depending on how you see it. Use high-quality images, consistent fonts, and a color scheme that aligns with your event's theme. Remember, the website is often the first impression, so make it count. And hey, if design isn't your forte, consider hiring a pro. It's worth it.
Can I integrate social media feeds?
100% yes! Social media feeds can add a dynamic element to your site. It's a great way to showcase real-time updates, posts from attendees, and create a sense of community. Plus, it's a subtle nudge reminding visitors to engage with your event on social platforms.
What security measures should I consider?
Last but not least, security. With all the digital threats out there, you gotta ensure your site is safe, especially if you're handling transactions or personal data. Use SSL certificates, regular backups, and strong passwords. And always, always keep your plugins and themes updated.
