Design an Exciting Contest For Your Website From Scratch (Templates)

Why consider an online contest for your website?

Is it to drive levels of engagement? To captivate a wider audience? Or perhaps to streamline data collection?

There can be several reasons as contests serve as an effective strategy in enhancing your marketing efforts.

Starting a giveaway contest might seem tricky at first, but with the right tools and some helpful tips, it's really quite simple.

In this article, we'll show you a step-by-step approach to designing successful contests, using a no-code platform:

Pre-planning: What You Need to Know

Before diving into creating online quiz contests, it's crucial to have a solid plan. Here's a breakdown of what you need to consider:

Objectives

• Purpose is Key: Begin by asking, "What do I want to achieve?" Whether it's to get more people to visit your site, increase sign-ups, or any other goal, having a clear objective will guide every decision you make.

• Set Targets: It's not just about having a goal, but also defining how you'll measure success. This could be the number of contest entries, shares on social media platforms, or any other metric relevant to your objective.

Ideal Target Audience

• Know Your Audience: Who are you trying to reach? Young adults? Professionals? Families? Pinpointing your target group ensures your contest idea resonates with the right people.

• Tailor Accordingly: Once you know who you're speaking to, design your contest to appeal specifically to them. This can influence everything from the contest description to the type of questions you ask.

High-value Prize

• Relevance is Crucial: Choose a perfect giveaway that not only attracts potential customers but is also relevant to your brand or the contest theme.

• Value Proposition: The competition prize doesn't always have to be expensive, but it should offer value to contest entrants. Exclusive offers, unique experiences, or even branded merchandise can be enticing rewards.

Legalities

• Stay Informed: Every country or region has its own contest rules regarding online competitions. Make sure you're compliant to avoid any legal issues.

• Transparency is a Must: It's equally important to provide participants with clear contest guidelines, terms and conditions. This includes eligibility criteria, the duration of the contest, and how giveaway winners will be chosen and notified.

Step 1: Login/Register and Choose a Template

Setting up your contest starts with accessing a no-code platform. Here’s a simple guide:

Go to your desired platform's website. For this demonstration, I'll reference involve.me, a superb interactive funnel builder that allows you to craft quizzes, surveys, and forms within minutes.

For existing users, simply hit the 'Login' button, pop in your details, and you're good to go. If you're a first-timer, select 'Register' or 'Sign Up' and follow the prompts to create your account.

After logging in, you'll land on your main dashboard. This is where you can manage all your projects, view analytics, and more

You’ll be presented with a variety of templates. Browse through them. Each template is usually designed for a specific purpose, be it quizzes, surveys, or custom forms. You can also create different types of contests, including photo contests and social media contest. Hover over your preferred template and click ‘Use This Template’.

Step 2: Customize the Template

Making your contest reflect your brand and resonate with larger audience is of utmost importance.

Let's say, for example, that I run a travel enterprise, and I'm eager to host a successful giveaway where the prize is an enticing trip to San Francisco, simultaneously highlighting my offerings. Here is how I will customize it:

Once you have chosen a template, you'll be taken directly to an editing interface. Give your contest a name. I'm calling mine “Win a Trip to San Francisco”. Then, pick the project type, in this instance, I'll go for “Thank page” which directs visitors to a designated URL after their participation.

Use content elements to change the default colors and fonts to ones that match your business look.

A trend observed in many giveaway campaigns is the requirement of an email address for entry. This serves a dual purpose: it facilitates communication with the participant and also provides a chance to expand your outreach in subsequent email campaigns. Thus, I'm including a contest entry form to capture contact details and increase my follower list.

To add some flair, I'm introducing a file upload option allowing participants to share a photo. I'll position an opt-in checkbox ensuring participants also get on board with my newsletter.

And of course, a final touch with a "Take Part" button solidifies their entry.

If you'd like participants directed elsewhere within the contest, weave in a link or redirect feature. In my case, I'm linking to a captivating travel guide video on YouTube in the subsequent 'Thank You page'. Plus, do not forget to add some social links so they can follow you on social channels.

Quick Tips:

• Ensure a consistent visual appearance by using matching colors and fonts throughout.

• Keep it simple and fun for people joining in. 

Step 3: Integrate with Other Tools

You can also integrate your contest with other tools to leverage their benefits. Here's how:

• Email Marketing Tools: With involve.me, you can connect with popular email tools like Mailchimp. Just go to the 'Integrations' tab, choose your tool, and follow the prompts. This will help you automatically add contest participants to your email lists.

• Analytics: To see how your contest is performing, connect it with tools like Google Analytics or visit involve.me built-in powerful analytics dashboard. You can also access AI generated data reports in an instant. This way, you can track visits, user engagement rates, and other essential metrics.

• Other Integrations: You have also options to connect with CRM systems, social media, or even payment gateways. Make sure to integrate as needed to streamline your processes.

Step 4: Preview and Test

Before showing your contest to the world, ensure it's flawless. Go through the contest as if you're a participant. Fill out forms, click buttons, and ensure every step feels right.

Here is the final look:

Step 5: Publish

Ready to launch? Find the 'Publish' button and click on it. Your contest will now be live and accessible to your audience.

Tips for Promoting Your Contest

• Share your contest regularly on all your social platforms, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and others. Use attention-grabbing images or GIFs that represent the amazing prize or the theme of the contest and utilize popular and relevant hashtags to increase your contest's visibility.

• Send out a special email just for the contest announcement to your email subscribers.

• Go for influencer marketing and collaborate with influencers who cater to an audience similar to yours.

• You can also team up with complementary brands for joint promotions, where both can benefit from highly-engaged audiences.

• Always respond to comments and queries about the contest on social media and other platforms to keep the buzz alive.

Get Started!

As we wrap up, remember that contests are a great tool for social engagement, brand visibility, and fostering community.

involve.me provides templates that remove the need for extensive design work and ensures a seamless experience for both you, the creator, and your participants.

So, what are you waiting for?

Dive in, explore the templates, and integrate them into your marketing strategy. Kickstart your very own thrilling contest today with involve.me!