"An event organization's website can serve many functions for many different target groups. It can be a source of information for employees, investors, sponsors and researchers as well as current and prospective customers" (Masterman, G.2006)
"Organizations involved in the creation of events are likely to showcase thier services using a brochureware website. The website will include much of what would be in a printed brochure in terms of services offered, contact details but can also demonstrate expertise by showing previouse events through photographs, video clips and testimonials and clints list" (Masterman, G.)
Masterman really explains the use of the website and its pottential within the marketing communications.
So the website for any current event is probably the main focal point, point of contact/ access and advertising tool of the event.
I.O.E.X and Hyper Japans websites are exactly that. I have taken a closer look and this is what i have found.
First off the websites general look and design.
Hyper Japan's up first. take a look at these print screens
Hyper Japan must have really worked on their website optimization. If you just type Hyper into the Google search bar Hyper Japan does not come up in the suggestion box. If you type hyper then hit the space bar without even typing Japan the Hyper Japan pops up in the suggestion box. Even if you type in hype j Hyper Japan is about seventh in the Google suggestion box.
Also if you just type in Hyper Japan there is so much information on the internet about the previous and up coming event that the pages go on and on. It is still Hyper Jan at the top of the pile, There is a paid advertising link at the top of the first google search page with the non paid Hyper Japan website link directly underneath.
So website is easy to find. Well Done Cross media for great use of intuitive keywords in building the optimization.
THE LOOK
As you can see from the Print screens the website is very bright and welcoming, Clear logo and page header with good use of photos and web video, The context page headers are easy to see and read and as a whole and the event date is clear to see either in the header or to the right of the header in a secondary header banner.
All though the main page has been a little cluttered by stuffing event advertising in the middle of the screen along side what’s on over the weekend, news letter subscription and other information about food and sake awards.
There are links to the business partners and a sponsor of the event at the bottom in a huge links section either navigates you around the site or to other linked sites.
I really like the social media bar that is at the top of the page just under the navigational headers. this social media bar really makes for fantastic interaction and almost instant e communications between potential attendees and others interested in the event.
The unique selling point of the website is that it is the access point for purchasing the Hyper Japan tickets and that it has the most up to date information about the event available.
The U.P.S is different for exhibitors and contributors as the website gives access to the information to apply for a stand or to contribute towards the show.
NAVIGATION
Hyper Japans website is easy to use and the pages load quickly, provides direct and easy access to the websites information. Clear and highlighted page locators but there are no site map to give you a real chance of clear site navigation. You can return to the homepage at any time on any page which is very help full. There is no internal search engine which could put people of using the site. There are clear links to partners and sponsors of the event and too many other great marketing tools such as social media links and facebook news feeds.
There is clear navigation to all contact details of the event organisers and even of some of the sponsors. Overall site navigation is good.
SOMETHING SPECIAL!!
On The Hyper Japan website you can navigate your way to the blogs page which is a list of links to blogs by Hyper Japan fans. This list of blogs has been hand picked by the Hyper Japan team to be posted on the Hyper Japan website. The successful bloggers can win the chance to have their blog highlighted each Friday on the build to the event. What a great idea and free advertising for the event. Check out the blogs with this link.
I.O.E.X IS NEXT!
On typing ioex into the Google search bar ioex comes up second place in the Google suggestions box, click on this and searched information comes up with C.O.N.F.E.X at the top of the pile and not I.O.E.X. as the two events are two in the same or joint events I am not suppressed. I.O.E.X actual site is beaten back into third place by one of its partners the Event Magazine.
As you start to type the full name of the event into the Google search bar it is when you get to international ou that the Google suggestion box has international outdoor event expo as first choice.
Great news as when you click the link you are directed straight to a page with I.O.E.X as the site at the top of the pile.
Even though there is some good search engine optimization happening here it is clear to see that the bigger sister joint event C.O.N.F.E.X has more optimization and previous natural search history. This is all down to the fact that I.O.E.X is a new event and confex has been running for several years.
THE LOOK
First impressions last and I.O.E.X has left a lasting impression on me. From the first time I clocked eyes on the website I enjoyed its colourful design and apt choose of background images and creative header design.
Let’s see....
Great level of website interaction with many graphical links to different pages making, you want to click to find out more.
Good advertising of the registration page and good news real at the top of the page. The use of a twitter news feed is a great social media advertising tool.
Good use of the home page to advertise the event date and times
UBM is the company behind I.O.E.X and has used the I.O.E.X website to advertise its partnering big sister event C.O.N.F.E.X
As the main objectives of the site are to attract exhibitors and event industry businesses and professionals to the site I felt that the aesthetic of the website is very good and fulfils its advertising obligations by highlighting the exhibitors and attendance registration well.
The U.P.S for I.O.E.X website is clearly the access of up to date information for the potential exhibitors and attendees for registration and general news of what is happening at the event.
Very informative news and advertising reel just below the page header bar.
What i really like about the I.O.E.X is just how informative it is and the fact that it is rally trying to get the attendees to interact not only with the website directly but with the actual event itself. Just look at this link to see what interctive aspects are available from I.O.E.X via the website.http://www.ioex.co.uk/page.cfm/link=31
NAVIGATION
The navigation around the I.O.E.X website is very direct and quick. Page headers are clear to see and there is a great use of links to partner companies and sponsors with direct links to other sites. Most of the important information that you may want to know is in the top half of the page which allows for quick navigation around the website.
Homepage tags on every page and for registration for the event it is clear and simple. One click and you’re directed straight to the registration page.
Avery well designed website with no loading lag. There is an internal website search engine which is very responsive.
Over all the navigation of the site is really good and enjoyable with a great use of social media links and news feeds.
THE WINNER IS!!
Well if you must know both event websites are real winners. Neither has any real issues and is great advertising and marketing tools for their given genre. We must remember that one is trade and the other consumer. Hyper Japan is fun and feels good due to it being a consumer event and then I.O.E.X is fun but much more business like with a reel enterprise, network and corporate feel.
Well if you must know i actually think that the I.O.E.X is the better website, it has more functions and allows for easier navigation, it is more informative and i just get the feel that more work has gone into the production of the site!
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