UI/UX Considerations for Event Websites, Part 1: Why Content Creators Should Care

July 24, 2019

Imagine a potential attendee has landed on your homepage for the first time. They’re considering your show and possibly two others. They are immediately distracted by various pop-up ads, complicated hero sliders transitioning way too fast and an endless sea of content. Frustrated, the user gives your event one last chance by surveying the top navigation to check out registration pricing and speaker details — but sadly, these items are hidden beneath three layers of navigation and odd naming conventions.

This is a snapshot of what users may experience when it comes to event websites. We’ve rounded up several best practices and concepts to guidelines to optimize the experience for users when planning for your next event.

Provide clear event details.

Where is your event held? What are the show dates and times? How can an attendee or exhibitor contact the event organizers if they have questions? This one seems pretty obvious, but there are many event websites that overlook this step.

Prioritize your most important content.

We know you have a lot to say to your audience and a limited amount of time to convey it. Try using a rotating navigational menu for your most important messages throughout your show cycle to simplify options. Also consider limiting your navigation to six or eight menu items (or less) with one layer of dropdowns for related content. That way, users can find what they need quicker. There is an emotional satisfaction we experience when we are able to locate exactly what we’re looking for.

Make naming conventions consistent.

Content will forever be king, but without a consistent tone and language, it is without a crown. Consider and re-consider what your navigational items should be called. Make note of these names and do not stray from this formula. If you’re calling it an exhibitor console a year out from the event, it should be called an exhibitor console up through show week. Most users will visit your site multiple times for various reasons, so make it easy to remember where they left off.

Simplify the interface.

There’s no other way to say this:.Don’t make me think! Users don’t need to experience every single aspect of the show on your homepage. Break down your top three or four priorities for the show and start building from there. Break up your content dividers with areas like testimonials or a sponsor carousel. A well-thought-out site should provide your users what they are looking for within the first 20 seconds they are on your site.

The events industry is constantly evolving, and competition within this space is more nuanced and intense than ever. Creating relevant and fresh content to increase engagement and drive registration will always be a priority; taking a step back to understand the value and importance of your user’s experience (UX) is the key to a successful and engaging event site. Be on the lookout for part two, coming soon.

Need a high quality, user-friendly, event website for your next event? Learn how Personify can help you develop a website for conferences, expos or commercial events.

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Partner Voices
Dallas already boasts 35,000 hotel rooms, award-winning global cuisine, and a walkable downtown. But we are just getting started. Visit Dallas is thrilled to announce that the city of Dallas is doubling down with a massive new convention center and entertainment district. Featuring 800,000 square feet of exhibit area, 260,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and 170,000 square feet of ballroom. The center will connect business travelers with dining and shopping options in the popular Cedars District means more places to get down to business, and even more ways to unwind. “Dallas is already a great meetings and conventions destination, with the accessibility of two major airports, affordable labor, and an outstanding hotel product,” said D. Bradley Kent, Visit Dallas senior vice president and chief sales officer. “The new center and Convention Center District will enhance Dallas’ competitive position and are exactly what our customers’ need and have been asking for." What’s New – AT&T Discovery District Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, this new district on the AT&T corporate campus is tailor-made for groups of all sizes. It boasts a multi-sensory experience, including outdoor event space, the AT&T Theater, and multiple dining outlets including JAXON Beer Garden and The Exchange, a bustling food hall. Hotels Coming Soon Names like the JW Marriott (Downtown), lnterContinental Dallas (Uptown), and Hotel Swexan (Uptown) are adding luxury amenities and bountiful event spaces. The projects will debut in 2023 and beyond. JW Marriott This new, 15-story, 283-room hotel will open in the heart of the city’s downtown Arts District this year. The property features a 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom, as well as a spa, restaurant, lobby bar, fitness center, and a rooftop pool deck and bar. InterContinental Dallas  Located in Cityplace Tower in Uptown, InterContinental Dallas will feature sweeping panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Guests will enjoy spacious, high-end rooms and amenities, including more than 21,000 square feet of event space.   Hotel Swexan Hotel Swexan, a new, 22-story luxury property, is rising in Uptown’s Harwood District and will make its mark on the Dallas skyline. Opening this year, it is a sculptural building with cantilevered upper floors, as well as a 75-foot rooftop infinity-edge swimming pool and a hidden underground lounge.