Virtual conferences were in existence for a long time. Top leading organizations that are widespread globally are benefiting from virtual event technology for years. Many planners are hosting virtual conferences or virtual summits to connect with global delegates and remote workforce seamlessly.
As time has changed, we entered a whole new era of digitalization. Hosting virtual events has become the new normal. Today, organizing virtual conferences, meetings, and summits on a comprehensive virtual conference platform has become an integral part of industries. The percentages of virtual conferences and virtual summits have skyrocketed in 2020. The current COVID-19 global pandemic has been the catalyst for such a transformation. As restrictions have been imposed on travelling and people are pushed to maintain distancing, live physical events have been stopped. Organizations are left with no other option rather than leveraging virtual event technology. They took a step ahead and converted live physical events into a visually rich virtual space to keep going. Selecting the right technology is a must to ensure a successful virtual event.
To ensure a successful virtual conference, event planners must have an extensive skill set and should be well-versed with technology. As the percentage for virtual conferences increases in 2020, it upsurges the demand for virtual conference platforms. Today, the internet is stocked up with a wide range of virtual conference platforms that offer engaging and interactive solutions. The platforms are available in various sizes, which suits you the best depends on your business needs. A virtual conference platform that is a good solution for one event may not fit the other. This makes you wonder how to select the best virtual conference platform?
In this post, we have listed some of the key features that all virtual conferencing platforms must offer to organizers. Have a look:
Considerations to select the best virtual conference platforms
Before leveraging the technology to host your virtual conference or virtual summit create a virtual conference strategy and plan. It is advised to consider various questions and determine your event goal before investing in a virtual conference platform. Identifying the event goal, creating a strategy, outlining a budget, planning out marketing activities, etc is a must before selecting a virtual conference platform. We have listed a few things that you need to consider to choose the best virtual conference platform. Let’s get started!
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Invest in the right technology keeping the future in mind
Before investing in a virtual conference platform, the organizer must take a couple of things into consideration. Before seeking solutions and features considering various other things are a must.
Hybrid events are on the rise and are here to stay post-pandemic. Some organizations are organizing hybrid conferences for a long whereas some leveraged it recently after the advent of COVID-19. Hybrid events are a mix of both in-person as well as virtual events. It brings out the best of both the event formats i.e virtual and physical. Attendees can attend the event at an on-site location as well as virtually from their remote locations via Smartphone or laptops. Investing in a platform that enables you to manage hybrid events is the right choice. It helps you get a clear picture. Make sure you are investing in the right platform that can support your events now and in the near future.
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Look for a tool that allows you to manage your event completely
Whether you are planning to host a daylong virtual conference or summit select a tool that offers end-to-end event management. Select a platform that enables you to manage registrations, invitations, agendas, payments, gather attendee data, and so on.
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Easy to use features
A virtual conference platform is a new virtual venue to organise a virtual summit, conference, or meeting. Look for a platform that has easy to use features and is easy to set up. Additionally, you need to ensure the platform must have a user-friendly interface. It helps in making it easy for virtual attendees too. However, it prevents them from the hassle of figuring out how the technology works.
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Look for customizable solutions
While selecting the best virtual conference platform lookout for customizable solutions. A virtual conference platform that offers customization options suiting your business requirements helps in integrating your organization’s branding throughout the virtual event. It helps in delivering real-life immersive experiences to virtual attendees. Select a platform that enables you to customize event registration forms, event landing pages, emails, and so on.
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Engagement tools and interactive features
Look for a virtual conference platform that offers engagement tools and interactive features. It helps in keeping attendees engaged with the conference throughout. Attending a conference via a screen is not as stimulating as attending a conference in-person. Incorporating live polls, surveys, Q&A, etc. amid sessions helps in keeping attendees hooked with the conference. It helps in gaining the most valuable audience insights and opinions. Whereas live chat capabilities enable participants to interact in real-time via live audio/video/keyboard chats.
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Backed by 24*7 live support
Select a platform that offers 24*7 tech support that helps attendees to seamlessly attend an event without any glitch. It helps attendees to easily resolve their technical issues by seeking help. However, it helps in keeping them concentrated on the virtual conference without dividing their attention.
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Select a platform that offers on-demand content
Go with a virtual conference platform that offers on-demand video content to attendees who missed attending a live virtual conference. A missed attendee can be a potential prospect. On-demand content helps in generating better leads.
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Data tracking capabilities & detailed analytics report
A platform that tracks every digital attendee’s move right from the registrations till the event ends is the right choice. The best virtual conference platform must offer digital foot printing. It helps in creating a detailed analytics report and measuring the performance metrics. The gathered data of the event helps in showcasing how your event performed. Additionally, it also motivates exhibitors and sponsors to invest money in your event further.
Final Word
If you are running a virtual conference or a virtual summit for the first time, leverage the right technology. While selecting the virtual conference platform keep the above-mentioned points in mind to ensure a successful virtual conference.
