Conference attendees have all kinds of good and bad application experiences. In many cases, they are just looking for basic information (such as meetings, attendees and maps) but end up reaching the kitchen sink. Even worse, the app was found to be a malfunction.
The rule of thumb when choosing a meeting app is: the more features you add, the more payments you pay, and the harder it is to ensure a smooth user experience. So it’s wise to start simple, identify what really matters to your audience, and give them the features and features they really need.
Here are a few things to consider when selecting an event application:
Make sure your team is easy to use – When comparing products, make sure everyone who will work behind the scenes of the app can watch the demo and provide feedback on what is right for your team. Working with you to get the app right may sound expensive at first, but may save you time and money later on.
Select only the features you need – Ask the provider of each feature you are considering using the standard features of the application. Then take a closer look at the order options. As you browse the list of available features, ask yourself if you will actually use them. Unless you see a strong need for features, consider removing it, even if it is included in the price. Application providers will want to showcase as many features as possible, but keep attendees simple priorities. Also, avoid features that may undermine attendees or endure potential data security challenges, such as facial recognition or attendee tracking.
Ensure application providers are both reputable and reliable – In terms of active applications, quality of service may actually be more important than the quality of technology or design. Make sure to work comfortably with individuals from your app provider as an extension of your own team. Ask for advice or get your own advice from someone you trust.
Your service level agreement should be stated in the signed contract. Most companies said they responded to support requests in less than 24 hours, and some provided guaranteed support in less than an hour. This speed is important, but you should also ask about the type of dedicated resources you have. If possible, finding out the event site will help you, ideally, this will be the one who will help you during the development of the application.
Ensure that the company’s service-level agreements include details such as guarantees of network availability or uptime. The SLA will also outline the penalties for failure to fulfill these commitments.
