Hear from the Experts: The Power of Event Microsites

October 22, 2024
3 min read
Need to Know

Event microsites have evolved far beyond basic registration pages—they are now powerful tools that enhance the entire event experience. At TPN, we’ve seen these dynamic sites become essential for everything from internal meetings to product launches. No longer just hosting platforms, microsites now offer interactive, branded environments that engage audiences and deliver value long after the event concludes.

Maximize Engagement with Custom Microsites

While many microsites start as simple registration hubs with logistical details, adding features like live video streaming, interactive chat and Q&A transforms them into fully immersive event experiences. These elements not only facilitate real-time engagement with content but also foster meaningful connections among attendees, amplifying the impact of the event.  

When TPN consults with clients, our first priority is to understand their goals for the event. We ask, “How do you want your audience to experience your message?” From there, we address key elements: Will there be a registration process? Is the event public or gated? What kind of analytics will offer valuable insights? Microsites offer a level of control and branding that platforms like Zoom or Teams simply can’t match. They enable businesses to deliver both content and brand experience in a cohesive, professional manner.

At TPN, we partner with Swoogo, a leading event platform provider, to create custom microsites tailored to each client’s needs. Swoogo’s templates allow for flexibility in areas like wording, attendee access, and visual branding. Combined with high-quality video content production, the result is a polished, professional microsite uniquely aligned with the client’s brand.

From start to finish, TPN manages the entire microsite experience. This includes everything from site construction and asset management to content uploads, and post-event analytics. It’s a collaborative, iterative process where TPN’s developers work closely with clients to ensure the attendee journey is seamless and aligned with their event objectives.

Long-Term Value and Impact of Event Microsites

Many clients extend the life of their microsite by keeping content available post-event. This allows attendees to stay engaged long after the event concludes, and in some cases, it creates a new revenue stream by offering on-demand access to new virtual audiences.  

A significant benefit of the microsites we build at TPN is the granular feedback and analytics they provide. Clients can see how many people attended, how long they watched, and how they interacted—whether through chat, Q&A, or simply watching the program. This data helps clients understand which parts of their event resonated most, providing valuable insights for future planning. For internal meetings, this level of detail also gives management visibility into each employee’s participation and engagement.

A common challenge that organizations face when it comes to building their microsites is budget constraints. Many start with ambitious plans for their microsite but scale back on features and functionality when funds get tight. This usually leads to a pared-down site that lacks the interactivity, branding and analytics that make microsites such an impactful element of the event. In these cases, we stress the importance of creating an engaging experience where attendees can interact with the content and brand—something that justifies the investment in a full-featured microsite.  

When done right, microsites can generate excitement and energy around an event. One recent site we built did just that. In building it, we utilized nearly every available feature. The branding was immersive, the design was vibrant and fun, and attendees could feel the event's energy through the site alone. It also integrated Wordly, an AI-powered translation tool that provided real-time transcription in over 30 languages. The accuracy of the translations, even for non-native speakers presenting in English, was remarkable. This level of accessibility made the event not only more inclusive but also more memorable.

Ultimately, event microsites are game-changers. They’re not just an add-on—they extend brand reach, engage audiences, and deliver lasting impact. Partnering with TPN to build your microsite offers several advantages. First, it removes the need for an in-house team with specialized knowledge, saving clients time and resources. Second, with our expertise in building high-impact microsites, we know what works and what doesn’t. Finally, our partnership with platforms like Swoogo allows us to create customized, branded experiences efficiently and cost-effectively.