Wednesday, 26 February 2014

Event Website Design

   Nowadays events of a certain scale launch their own official website to provide latest and reliable information, easy-access for the attendees. From many prospects, the websites page could even contribute to the first impression of your event. Suppose that your potential customers (not only the attendees but maybe sponsors) are looking for education or network opportunities and they pop into your website. Good web design appeals to visitors! 
Information overload tends to put website visotors off therefore how you arrange loads of info about your event in the webpage with a beautiful layout is extremely important. Challenges could include what to put on first page, in what order, be basic or creative?

Here are some examples of how event website could be designed, which could give us a figurative understanding as well as some inspirations.


                                                   http://www.itb-berlin.de/en/

As an international professional event involving thousands of attendees, ITB’s website keeps itself simple and compact by using navigation bars and modular windows. As for its content, the title, the “when and where” could be found as soon as website visitor gets in. In the middle, significant space is made for its partner. Next down are its activities, highlights and latest news. The social media cannot be ignored since its enables information to reach audience via multiple channels.

Other websites of similar association or big international events would also integrate images, videos as a vivid introduction. A login access is indispensable, and a call to action to register for the event would be better.


                                   Extract from JRUBYCONF: http://2013.jrubyconf.eu/#

Some websites provide contact access for those who request special or professional information, which, personally, we prefer a “newsletter signup”


Extract from IMEX website:http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/#

In terms of short-term workshop, seminar, conferences, a list of speakers and schedule would be appreciated. First, these events are highly content- oriented, what the attendees can learn, how many effective connections they can make at the occasion concerns them most. Second, giving your customers the specific schedule and the speakers profile may from one hand attract those who are interested in your programs, from the other hand, ensure the people who have no idea of what your event is with some real content.


Extract from Joomla World Conference:  http://conference.joomla.org/


Based on these observations, we could identify some basic elements that make the event websites work effectively.


- Title
- Location and Date
- Navigation bar
- Social media
- Login access
- Description with short text, pictures or videos
- Sponsor and partners
- Key programs/ highlights/ news
- Information on host city



In addition, some small but useful changes would make your webpage really user-friendly:


- Call for registration ( a simple button is enough)
- Countdown
- Speaker list
- Schedule
- News signup
- Search bar
- Venue map
- Access to your event in history



                                            Snapshot from : http://conference.joomla.org/



                                          Snapshot from: http://hybridconf.net/


However, it is impossible or unnecessary to fit in all these elements in the first page. Web designers should deeply understand the need of both event organizers and event attendees in order to create a webpage consistent with the brand image.
Last but not least, pay attention to the adaptation of your website in different device screens, which will improve immediately the user experience.

Reference:
http://dzineblog.com/2013/08/36-event-conference-website-layouts.html

Written by Yue Jin and Rhoda Nuhu.


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