It may seem daunting to build an event website. Really, it's easier than ever (you don't need a web developer any more!) - if you're using the right tool. But even before you begin to build, there are a few things you'll need to figure out. If you're brand new to website design this post will cover a few event website basics you should know.
Types of Websites
First, what type of website will you be building? Event websites can be broken into two types, registration websites, and marketing websites. While there are many other types of websites that exist in the world, those are the two to choose between when creating a website for an event.
Registration website
How complex is your event? If it's a one-day seminar, this is the type of website you'll want to create. Registration websites are perfect for events that don't last long, are held in one location, and require very little information to explain. Generally, there will be one page of information and a call to action that takes the user to register.
Marketing Website
A marketing website is perfect for more complex events. Often, this type of event lasts multiple days, takes place at different locations, has multiple registration paths, or takes more than one webpage to explain. The marketing website allows you to set up multiple pages to give attendees all the information they need. These events tend to be more costly for the attendee, which means the marketing website needs to explain why the cost and time out of the office are worth it.
Elements of a Website
As you start designing, regardless of which website you'll be building, your site will all contain the elements listed below.
Header
This is the section at the top of the website that contains navigation, a company or event logo, and could include a call to action in the form of a register button.
Hero/Banner
The hero section, also known as the banner, contains the primary call-to-action. This section is usually visual with a large button telling attendees to register now.
Body
This section contains a variety of elements, including text, images, and video. It is used for key information. As a result, if you have a registration website, your event information will be located in the body.
Footer
Finally, at the bottom of your website is the footer. The footer will contain copyright information, repeated navigation, and links to social media.
Conclusion
There's much more to learn about designing websites, but this gives you a great base. From here, you can learn more about design rules, branding, and how to drive registrations. Find out more about Website Design Basics: Event Websites 101
