Features to Consider on a Virtual Exhibition Platform
With the huge number of online event providers available in the market, finding the right platform for your requirements can be very burdensome. Pricing, scalability and customization are the common factors that you can consider before making your selection. But, this is not all. Features like business card exchange, 1:1 networking, and gamification can play a huge role in helping you decide. This article will discuss the key features to consider in an online exhibition platform.
Customizable Booths
By allowing the exhibitors to customize their booths, you can provide them with greater control over the look and feel of the event. While searching for the best virtual exhibition platform, you should select the software that allows the exhibitors to play around with the design, logo, and colour of the booth. Providing customization capabilities will further enhance customer satisfaction levels.
Third-party Integration
Third-party integration is a great feature that can help you integrate the virtual event platform with other apps like Zoom, Whatsapp, YouTube etc. In addition to facilitating networking, it also helps boost communication among the attendees. Therefore, the virtual event company you select for hosting your online exhibition should facilitate third-party integration.
Artificial Intelligence Based Matchmaking
AI matchmaking is one of the best features of a virtual event platform. It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to match the attendees with the most relevant exhibitors depending on their common interests and objectives. For instance, the goal of an attendee of a career fair is to meet a suitable recruiter and not another attendee. AI matchmaking makes this possible by collecting data about the visitor’s goals and interests and providing them with the best recommendations. Moreover, it helps save the time of both the organizer and the attendee.
Engagement Features
Engagement is an integral part of any virtual exhibition company. Boosting engagement during a virtual event is quite a challenge. Therefore the online exhibition platform should provide great engagement features. A virtual event platform can also help you in virtual holi celebration or the celebration of other festivals.
Games and Quizzes
Games and quizzes are a great way to provide a fun interactive break or a getaway to the attendees while keeping them busy and engaged. Having features like gamification and quizzes in your virtual event will reduce the attendee drop-off rate. In other words, rather than leaving the event, the attendees will engage in online games and interact with other attendees to distract themselves.
Live Polls
Live polls play a crucial role in boosting engagement. They are a great way to collect the vital data of the attendees. Moreover, based on the poll responses, you can make corrections to improve your current and future events. Furthermore, it can help you measure engagement levels.
Live Chat
Live chat is a must-have feature in any virtual exhibition platform. It helps boost interaction among the attendees. Additionally, it also allows one-to-one conversation between the attendees and the exhibitors. The organizers and the attendees can indulge in both group chats and 1:1 live chats thereby, boosting networking and engagement.
Networking Lounges
Networking is the primary objective of a person attending any event. Therefore, networking should be on the top of your list of features to look for in an online event platform. A networking lounge is a dedicated area that provides opportunities for interaction and networking. The best way to boost communication is to integrate audio, video calls, live chat, Q&A sessions and social walls to your event.
Feedback Forms and Signature Walls
Being an organizer, you must already know the importance of gathering feedback from the attendees. Therefore, before finalizing an online event company, you must make sure it provides feedback forms and signature walls. Feedback forms help gather information about the attendee satisfaction levels. Moreover, it can help you identify the problem areas within your event and make corrections in your future event.
Live Exhibition Support
Technical breakdowns are an inevitable part of any virtual event. Live event support can help you fix the issues as soon as they arise. Moreover, it saves the attendees from all the frustration and waiting time. It enables you to host a smooth and successful virtual exhibition. Fixing the problems as and when they arise is one of the most critical factors in making the event successful. Therefore, live event support should be your most sought-after feature while selecting a virtual event platform.
Data Analytics to Measure Event’s Success
Data analytics and reporting is a powerful feature that helps measure the digital footprints of the attendees. Tracking attendee data in real-time is only possible in the case of virtual events and can prove to be a boon for the organizer as it helps understand the attendee behaviour, real-time engagement within the virtual event. As an organizer, it is important to check if the virtual exhibition platform provides an in-built analytics dashboard that keeps track of data in real-time and provides reports. Moreover, this feature helps identify the best performing sessions and the most popular event locations. Based on this information, you can modify your strategy in future events.
Easy to Navigate
Imagine being an attendee at an event, entering it and not knowing where to head. This type of situation can lead to frustration among the attendees. Therefore, seamless navigation is the foremost quality or feature of any online exhibition platform. The platform should be easy to understand and use. Moreover, the attendee should find it easy to navigate through the event venue. This will help enhance interaction and networking among the visitors.
3D Product Demonstration
In the case of virtual product exhibitions, you need to display and demonstrate the products holistically. Similar to physical exhibitions, virtual exhibitions can also provide the attendees with a 360-degree view of the product. Having a 3d product demonstration from all angles will help the attendee get a clearer view of the product. Moreover, it is a great way to improve the attendee experience by making it more realistic.
Conclusion
If you are planning to organize an exhibition digitally in the coming months you must pay extra attention to features like 3D product demonstrations, AI matchmaking, and customizable event booths.