Academics, scientists, and researchers are becoming increasingly aware of the role which an online presence plays in promoting research and extending its shelf-life. An online presence is equally important for conferences – perhaps even more important as we not only transition into an increasingly digital world and deal with the continued fallout of Covid-19, but also face a troubling upsurge in predatory conferences.
Formerly, a conference could be promoted in an advertisement in a print journal, posters could be pinned to noticeboards and handed out in class (and at other conferences). Conference organisers could often get away with emailing a short Call for Papers to colleagues and wider networks, followed by a registration announcement email some months later. However, this is no longer the case.
Not only are many traditional avenues of physical distribution currently unavailable, but the rise in predatory conferences has transformed the conference website from a ‘modern nice-to-have’ item into a vitally important marker of credibility and legitimacy. In fact, the conference website is one of the key items on a checklist provided by Think.Check.Attend. – a free international initiative launched to help combat predatory conference practices.
“Did you check the conference website? Is all the information, such as the attendance fees, submission date, conference date, editorial committee, program details, and venue presented in a proper way?”
A well-designed and well-presented conference website is not only an important way for organisers to demonstrate the legitimacy of their event, but it’s also the best way to disseminate information about the event – including date and location, speaker information and conference programme, and travel and accommodation advice. This is particularly important at present as Covid is still causing unexpected changes to conference format and speaker lineups. Conference websites allow organisers to make updates quickly and easily to reflect new developments.
Websites are also the most efficient and effective way to promote conferences. They allow the event to be discoverable online, shared on social media platforms, and showcased to a global audience. These websites can even collect abstract submissions and process registrations and payments. Promotion activities can continue during and after the event, with live social media commentaries, blog posts, conference reports and links to published research papers from the conference.
“A conference website is an important feature for any event – allowing organisers to showcase the conference to a global audience, attract speakers and attendees from around the world with high impact Calls for Papers, and provide key information in an easily accessible and quickly updatable format.”
Kamran R. Kardan – Founder and CEO of Knowledge E
It can be hard to find the time, expertise, and budget to build a world-class conference website that is attractively and effectively designed, showcases the correct information in accordance with international academic standards, conforms to best practises for digital marketing, and ensures all content is written to attract the right speakers and audiences, demonstrate credibility, and promote the event to international academic communities.
This is where we come in! As part of our Conference Services, we have just launched a new product: Conference Website Creation.
Our quick, affordable, high-quality service includes: a relevant domain name and email address; the design and development of an attractive high-impact conference website; consultation and guidance on all written content to ensure the website conforms to international academic standards and marketing best practices; professional hosting service, guaranteeing 24-hour access and fast response time. We also offer customisable submission systems to streamline the collection and evaluation of proposals, and a dedicated payment portal for conference registration payments.