When I register for an online event, whether it’s a webinar, online conference, or meetup, I pay close attention to the information in the event confirmation message.
Why?
Because of years of receiving confirmation messages which only tell me I’m registered for the event.
And a short message that says I’ll soon receive log in details before the event.
With no specific details of the information I need to log in or dial in to the event, I’m left wondering when the event details will be sent.
Will it be sent two days before the event? An hour before the event?
I have no idea.
Which means I’ll try and track down contact information (which often isn’t included in the event confirmation message) to ask when the event details will be sent.
And wait for a response.
Which in my opinion, is a waste of my time.
And a waste of time for the event organizer.
No one should have to go through that annoying experience!
Especially when the event organizer could have provided that information.
Wouldn’t it be easier and less time-consuming for attendees and event organizers if that information was provided in the event confirmation message?
And that’s what I discovered when I recently registered for a Digital.gov online event.
Which is why I’m giving them a shoutout as my UX Win for this month.
Digital.gov Online Event Registration Confirmation Message
Recently, I registered for two Digital.gov online events and quickly noticed how they address user needs in their event confirmation message.
They’ve planned well to answer questions about event log in/dial-in details by including:
See you at the event! You will receive the link/dial-in details will be provided in 24 hours, 1 hour and 5 minutes before the start of the event.
I don’t have to wonder when I’m going to receive the information, they clearly state when it will be sent.
What I Like and What Could Be Improved
What stood out for me: clear and concise message on when I could expect the login event details.
I liked that Digital.gov chose to send the information not once, but three times.
Yes, I know some people might find that to be too many notifications.
But who hasn’t ignored event log in details, only to frantically search through their email messages five minutes before an event?
Because you haven’t added the details to your calendar?
I know that’s happened to me dozens of times.
I appreciate the reminders of my upcoming event.
I found one small item that could be improved: the wording in the message doesn’t read correctly.
I would make a small change to:
See you at the event! You will receive the link/dial-in details 24 hours, 1 hour, and 5 minutes before the start of the event.
Summary
For whatever reason, event organizers may not be able to provide log in/dial-in details when they send event confirmation messages to attendees.
What event organizers can do: follow Digital.gov’s example by providing specific details in the confirmation message on when attendees will receive the details.
Knowing that information means attendees aren’t left wondering when they’ll receive the details.
And event organizers won’t receive dozens of messages from attendees asking for the information.
A UX win for everyone!
Smartphone photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash
