Virtual events are here to stay, and choosing the right platform can significantly impact the experience. Virtual events have become integral to modern engagement strategies, with the global virtual events market valued at approximately $98.07 billion in 2024 and projected to grow at a CAGR of 20.0% from 2025 to 2030.
A well-designed virtual event platform should be user-friendly for both organizers and attendees, whether you’re hosting a networking event, trade show, webinar, or conference. Attendee engagement in virtual events has improved by 68% with interactive tools like polls, Q&A, and live chat.
Below is a list of important features that can transform your virtual events from mediocre to outstanding, helping you choose the best platform.
- User-Friendly Interface
Ease of use should be the top priority. A well-designed virtual event platform should be intuitive for both attendees and organizers. Complex dashboards, hidden settings, or lengthy sign-up procedures can discourage participation.
Look for:
- A clear, uncluttered dashboard.
- Simple event setup with step-by-step guidance.
- A smooth login process with multiple sign-in options, such as social media, LinkedIn, or Google.
- Mobile-friendly access for on-the-go participants.
Attendee engagement will decline if users struggle to navigate the platform or interact with others.
- Custom Branding Options
Your event platform should reflect your brand, not the platform itself. Customizing logos, colors, fonts, and overall design ensures a cohesive experience that aligns with your company’s identity.
Check if the platform allows:
- Personalized booth designs, banners, and backgrounds.
- Branded registration pages and emails.
- Custom event URLs and domains.
A branded experience increases credibility and keeps your audience engaged with your messaging.
- Interactive Engagement Features
Engagement is key to a successful virtual event. Unlike in-person gatherings, where connections happen naturally, virtual events need integrated tools to keep participants actively involved.
Essential engagement features include:
- Live Q&A sessions moderated by hosts.
- Polls and surveys to collect audience feedback.
- Chat features for networking and discussions.
- Gamification elements such as badges, quizzes, and leaderboards.
A highly interactive event encourages attendees to stay engaged and return for future events.
- Smooth Video Integration and Live Streaming
The quality of live streaming can make or break a virtual event. Poor video quality, buffering, or lag can frustrate attendees and lead to dropouts. Your platform should support smooth, high-definition streaming with minimal technical issues.
Look for:
- High-definition audio and video streaming.
- Integration with third-party streaming services (Zoom, YouTube Live, Vimeo).
- Automatic cloud recording for on-demand viewing.
- Real-time transcription or AI-generated captions for accessibility.
Reliable streaming ensures that your message reaches all participants, regardless of location.
- Networking Capabilities and Breakout Rooms
One of the biggest challenges of virtual events is replicating in-person networking experiences. A platform with robust networking features helps attendees build meaningful connections.
Key networking features include:
- Breakout rooms for workshops or small group discussions.
- AI-powered matchmaking to connect like-minded attendees.
- Virtual tables or lounges for informal networking.
- One-on-one video chats for private discussions.
The goal is to create a natural networking environment similar to in-person events.
Hubilo, a webinar and virtual event platform with a 4.6/5 rating, can accommodate up to 100,000 attendees. Its real-time engagement tools include surveys, live polls, in-video calls to action, and AI-generated snackable content. Starting at $7,499/year, it offers CRM integration, branding, and comprehensive analytics to improve attendee engagement and lead generation.
- Support for Sponsors and Exhibitors
If your event includes sponsors or exhibitors, the platform should offer dedicated spaces for showcasing products and services.
Essential features include:
- Branded virtual booths with customizable designs.
- Downloadable materials such as videos, presentations, and brochures.
- Lead capture tools to help sponsors gather attendee information.
- Interactive product demos or exhibitor-hosted discussions.
A platform that effectively supports sponsors will attract more collaborations and improve the overall event quality.
- Flexible Registration and Ticketing Options
A seamless registration process increases attendance rates. Your platform should allow easy setup of ticketing options, payment handling, and automated confirmations.
Look for:
- Multiple ticketing options (free, VIP, group passes).
- Support for promo codes and discounts.
- Integration with secure payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe).
- Automated email confirmations and reminders.
An efficient registration system ensures a smooth check-in process and reduces last-minute confusion.
- In-Depth Analytics and Reporting
Real-time analytics and post-event reports are crucial for measuring success. The right platform should provide insights into attendee behavior, session engagement, and overall performance.
Look for:
- Real-time attendance tracking.
- Engagement metrics (poll results, chat activity, session duration).
- Lead generation reports for sponsors and exhibitors.
- Downloadable reports for future event planning.
Access to detailed data helps you refine your strategy and improve future events.
- Scalability and Security
Whether you’re hosting a small workshop or a large-scale conference, your platform should handle increasing attendees without technical glitches. Security is also a top priority, especially for private or paid events.
Ensure the platform provides:
- Support for thousands of attendees without performance issues.
- End-to-end encryption for data protection.
- Compliance with GDPR and global security standards.
- Access control settings to manage participant permissions.
A scalable and secure platform ensures a seamless and safe experience for all users.
- Post-Event Content and Replay Access
Not everyone can attend an event in real-time. A quality virtual event platform should allow participants to access recorded sessions and event materials after the live event ends.
Check for:
- On-demand session replays for later viewing.
- Downloadable presentation slides and resources.
- AI-generated event summaries for quick recaps.
Post-event content increases the event’s value and keeps attendees engaged even after it concludes.
Conclusion
Choosing the right virtual event platform requires careful consideration of your audience’s needs, engagement strategies, and event goals. Prioritizing a user-friendly interface, smooth streaming, interactive features, and networking tools will ensure a successful virtual experience.Look for platforms that can scale to meet various event sizes and formats, provide data-driven insights, and offer customization options. Strong security protocols, sponsor-friendly features, and post-event accessibility can all help improve the quality of your event. Selecting a platform with these features will help you create a memorable event and establish your company as a leader in the virtual event space.