How to Compare Online Invitation Sites
Want to throw a party or host an event? You can invite all of your friends or coworkers using online invitation services-and there are several very user-friendly sites where you can do this. Some require registration and some don't. Some can broadcast your invitation in more ways than others. Some offer more theme choices than others. Here I'll list some of the advantages and disadvantages of a few popular online invitation sites-to help you select the perfect one for you.
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Instructions
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Look for services that allow for RSVP that are free, that allow you to set up choices including whether or not your guests can bring a friend, see who else is coming, add the date to their calendar and receive an RSVP reminder.
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Evite
A well-known service is Evite. With Evite you can email free invitations and greeting cards easily. The cards are customizable and there are a large number of designs to choose from. People you invite can RSVP by clicking right in the email. The disadvantage for your invitees is that they must register at Evite in order to RSVP. If they do RSVP, they can see who has responded and accepted or declined the invitation. Evite will also help you set up a gift exchange at a party.
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Anyvite
Anyvite is also free and easy. You can import your guest list from your address book. Invitees will be able to RSVP from the invitation, as well as add the date to their calendar. There are many designs to choose from and all the text you enter is your own. You can add guests from your own email address book. Managing the event to see who is attending is easy.
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Pingg
Pingg promises to be "stylish." Their images and themes are very nice looking. Pingg will send your invitations by regular mail, email, text message, Facebook, Twitter and more. Invited guests can easily RSVP, and you can keep track of all that online. Pingg offers a mix of free and paid options.
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Atomeet
Atomeet does what the other services do, with no registration or login required. You can add widgets such as Google maps to your invitation. It's easy to import your contact for emailing the invitation. Guests repond to the invitation and you can track who will be attending. You begin building the invitation in a form right on the front page without even logging in. A disadvantage is that there are not as many designs to choose from. Another is the interface is not as easy to use as some of the other services.
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Paperless Post
Paperless Post calls itself an online stationer. Here you can create invitations with a very dignified and traditional appearance, or go for a more modern theme. The invitation goes out by email in an "envelope," which the guest opens. Clicking in the email allows them to RSVP. It's easy for you to set options such as whether or not your guests can bring a friend and for you to see who has responded by RSVP. You have to create an account. As of this writing, Paperless Post is in beta and accounts are created on request. It isn't clear if that will remain a free option later. Paperless Post helps you with the wording of invitations, which can be a nice feature if you are a better party planner than writer.
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Smilebox
Smilebox, which also creates musical and visual slideshows, has a free invitation service. These invitations feature the attractive Smilebox visual and musical options. The invitations can be emailed, blogged, burned to DVD or printed. Smilebox works a little differently from the other online sites, because it downloads an application to your computer which you use to create and publish your invitation from your desktop. The desktop application is very easy to use and is a safe download.
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Tips & Warnings
I suggest you click through the links in Resources below to find the service that is most appealing for your event.
