To celebrate the company's 15th anniversary, Evite is turning back the clock on technology.
Evite, known for its free e-cards and digital invitations, announced on Wednesday that the company will now offer hard copies of invitations for users who feel an email invite just doesn't do the trick. Party hosts can still use Evite to manage event details and the guest list, but they can choose to send out the invitations out the old-fashioned way -- via the United States Postal Service.
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The thinking behind Evite's decision is that some events require more formality than email can provide, according to Evite President Hans Woolley. Events like weddings or baby showers may merit more formal invitations than a summer barbecue, and Woolley says it's nice to hang a physical piece of paper on the fridge or the bulletin board.
"It's somewhat of a keepsake," Woolley said. "It has a quality to it that some of our users really wanted out of an invitation service." Users can choose to send physical invites to all guests or select certain individuals to receive their invite by mail.
Evite will charge a flat fee of $2 per invitation, and more than 80% of card designs are available to users -- with more expected down the road. The service is still free for those who choose to use digital invites, and recipients of physical invitations can still RSVP online using a special code include on the card.
Despite branching into mailed invitations, Evite does not intend to become a card store, Woolley said. Users will be able to select designs and content, but not additional frills like paper, packaging, or inserts.
Netflix once made red envelopes synonymous with movie night; Evite hopes to do the same with its white and green envelopes.
"When you got a [Netflix] DVD in the mail, you were excited. It stood out amongst all the other mail items that you had," Woolley said. "We're hoping to capture a very similar sentiment."
Evite's decision to add traditional mail delivery does not mean the company is headed back in time completely. Evite continues to work on its mobile experience, Woolley said, and wants to expand into other areas where users have a virtual mailbox. That means social sites like Facebook may play a part in the company's future.
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Image: Andrew Taylor