Cvent

Building your event website is an important step in the event management process. Not only does it provide instant access of event information to your invitees, but it also is a great centralized location for promoting your events, collecting online registration and payments, and more—all accomplished quickly and at a low cost.

There are, however, some do's and don'ts of event websites. Consider a few of the following tips as you start to build yours:

DON'T be boring. A black-and-white website with simple plain text doesn't exactly get an invitee excited about attending your event—nor does it look very professional. Liven up your event websites with color, graphics and other eye-catching features.

DO select colors and designs that enforce your event's theme and your organization. Choose colors and logos that will be used throughout your marketing materials and event communications. This will give attendees an instant connection between your pre-event, event and post-event materials.

DON'T be too wordy. Text-heavy pages are difficult to read and turn viewers off. Split your event information (agenda, speakers, etc.) into easy-to-navigate tabbed pages. This makes your event data easy to read and easy to find.

DO make event registration easy. The goal of your event website is, after all, to promote your event and encourage online registration. Your invitees should not have to work to find a way to register. Prominently display a "Register" button on all your event website pages so that they have a clear path to registration.

DON'T make assumptions. Even if you've been reading about the hottest new hotel in town for the past few weeks, don't think that your event attendees have. Just saying the event will be held at City Hotel won't be enough information for most, and you certainly don't want to make your invitees work for the information themselves.

Include specifics on event location and phone number. Better yet, provide links to location maps and offer driving directions. Be just as specific with your event date details and contact information.

DO say thank you. Using these tips, you've created a clean, professional website that has convinced an invitee to say Yes to your event. Once they've registered, don't forget to show your appreciation with a Thank You and event summary upon completing registration. They'll appreciate it just as much as you do their attendance.