With so many options available for online ticket sales, it can be stressful for event organizers to cut through the clutter and find the best event ticketing platforms for their needs.
Many ticketing platforms offer a broad range of similar functions, but there are a few features in particular that can make event management more streamlined and less stressful.
In this post, we will focus on some of the online ticket sales features that we find the most helpful when running our own 1,000+ person event, as well as features that our clients use most.
Pricing & Costs
Of course, one of the first things you will be looking at when searching for the best online ticket sales service will be the costs associated with the provider. Typically, costs include the following structure of fees:
- Flat cost per ticket
- Percentage cost per ticket
- Credit card processing fees
You’ll want to be careful when looking at each of these fees. Your goal will be to find the lowest combination of flat fees and percentage costs. At Accelevents, for instance, we charge $1 per ticket plus 1% of ticket sales.
Fee Responsibility
One topic that is related to the pricing of an online ticket sales service is knowing who will be responsible for the costs and fees of using the product. For example, will the event organizer be charged for the costs of using the ticketing service, or can all fees be paid for by your ticket buyers?
Having the flexibility to cover the cost of ticket fees or having your buyers pay these costs is a huge benefit, as having your buyers pay these fees means that the ticketing service is essentially free for your organization! This can be especially helpful for nonprofit fundraising events.
Customization Options
As you probably already know, the ability to customize your online ticket sales is crucial. We consider customization options in the following areas vital for a successful event:
Ticket Creation
You will want as many customization options as you can when creating your ticket types / tiers. Some things to think about when looking for customization options include:
- Creating various ticket tiers with distinct pricing
- Setting different sales dates for each ticket type
- Selecting the quantity available of each ticket type
- Functionality to add discount codes
Each of the above customizations will allow you to better set up your online ticket sales in order to track your success and sell out your event!
Event Page
To maximize ticket sales, it's essential to have an attractive event website or page. Customize your online event page with your brand's logo, fonts, and color scheme to give it a personal touch and make it stand out.
In general, our recommendation is to spend a lot of time crafting the story around your event and why you connect with your event personally. Once you’ve mastered this story, you’ll want to be able to adequately convey your message on your event page.
Some features to consider when shopping around for ticketing providers include:
- Ability to add in your own personal story and message AND have it display prominently on your event ticketing page
- Ability to add your own logo and images – these images increase the visual appeal of your event page and can lead to increased sales
- Donation options – if you’re supporting a cause or nonprofit, it’s crucial that you have a donation button or tab that can be added to your event page
Information Collected from Ticket Buyers
Most events require standard information like name, phone number, and email. However, depending on the nature of your event, you might need to gather additional custom information from your ticket buyers. This could include:
- Address
- Table preferences
- Job title
- Organization
The ability to ask for your own custom set of information from your buyers can be a huge benefit, so definitely be on the lookout for this feature when researching options for online ticket sales.
Check-In Capabilities
Over and over, we hear that check-in is a pain point for event hosts. The check-in / registration process can be a bottleneck at your event, leading to long lines and unhappy guests. However, when done well, event check-in can be quick and easy.
When evaluating online ticketing solutions, it's important to thoroughly investigate their check-in functionality as well. Consider the following aspects:
- Ticket Format: Determine whether the system requires printed tickets or if digital versions are acceptable.
- Staff Check-In Process: Assess if event staff can check in guests and, if so, explore the method they'll use. Is there an app available for staff to facilitate smooth check-in?
- Check-In Mechanics: Explore the specifics of the check-in process. Can staff search by name, or is there a QR code scanning feature for quick verification of printed and digital tickets?
- Self-Service Options: Ask if there are self-serve check-in options in kiosk mode.
These considerations are crucial in choosing an online ticket sales provider that aligns with your event's needs.
Integrations
The ability to integrate with another service or website may be something that will set certain providers apart from the rest.
Are you running a fundraising event? If so, the ability to integrate with a mobile bidding or donation platform will be a massive benefit for your team. Integrating with a mobile fundraising platform means that your guests will have a seamless end-to-end process from ticket purchase to check-in and ability to donate. They will not need to enter their payment or user information more than once, making the entire process easier and more pleasurable for your guests.
At Accelevents, our event ticketing service connects directly to our mobile fundraising platform, meaning you can manage ticketing and fundraising tasks all in the same place. Furthermore, your event page can include both your ticket sales page and your donation, silent auction, or raffle page – making ticket purchase and donations quick and easy!
If you already have an established event website, look for a solution that allows you to embed the ticketing function directly into your existing website. Accelevents, for example, provides a user-friendly ticketing widget that can be easily embedded into any event site, ensuring a smooth and cohesive user experience.
Customer Service
Finally, as with most services, you will want to choose an online ticket sales service that guarantees amazing customer service. All of the features above mean nothing without having an accessible customer service team that can help you set up your event for success and assist with any questions you may have throughout the process.
Questions you can ask to determine the level of customer service provided by a ticketing service include:
- How many people are on your customer service team?
- Is customer service 24/7, or are there certain hours when I will not be able to reach a customer service rep?
- How can I contact customer service? Phone, email, live chat, or all three?
- Do you have a help center or knowledge base that includes answers to commonly asked questions?
Conclusion
As you prepare to embark on your search for the best online ticket sales provider, remember that your goal is to run a successful event. Selling tickets is a major part of your success, so finding a great service is crucial.
Also, remember that you will want to find a service that makes your life easier, not more stressful. Checking off the features above will put you well on your way to finding the best ticketing provider and making your next event a huge success!
