Event ticketing software is a type of software that is used to manage ticket sales for events. It provides event organizers and venues with a centralized system to set up ticket inventory, manage promotions and discounts, track sales, and control ticket distribution. Event ticketing software makes it easy to sell tickets both online and at the door while reducing the administrative burden of manual ticketing processes.
What are the key features of event ticketing software?
Event ticketing software typically includes the following key features:
- Online ticket sales – Customers can purchase tickets directly through an event website integrated with the ticketing platform.
- In-person sales – The software can integrate with box office ticketing terminals or POS systems to process on-site ticket sales.
- Seat mapping – Choose specific reserved seating or general admission options and associate ticket inventory.
- Discount and promotion codes – Create customized discounts and promotions and track their performance.
- Waitlisting – Automatically waitlist ticket buyers when an event sells out.
- Email/text notifications – Automatically notify ticket buyers when tickets are purchased, an event is postponed, etc.
- Refund processing – Easily refund tickets and manage exchanges when needed.
- Analytics – Gain insights into ticket sales patterns, demographic data, and more.
- Account management – Let ticket buyers manage their purchases online after the initial ticket sale.
- Access control – Limit ticket resales or transfers with barcode scanning and ID checks.
These features provide robust ticketing capabilities to suit different event types and sizes. Larger venues and festivals may benefit from advanced features like dynamic pricing, while smaller events can take advantage of simpler setups.
What are the benefits of using event ticketing software?
There are many benefits to using dedicated event ticketing software rather than manual ticketing processes:
- Improved efficiency – Automating ticket sales, promotions, refunds, and more saves an immense amount of staff time and resources.
- Higher revenues – Dynamic pricing, bundle deals, and other promotional features maximize ticket sales.
- Better data – Gain insights into every aspect of ticket sales with detailed analytics and reporting.
- Enhanced security – Ticketing platforms have advanced fraud protection and offer secure storage for customer data.
- Increased convenience – Allow ticket buyers to purchase anytime, anywhere online and via mobile devices.
- Streamlined management – Manage your entire event catalog and ticketing from one centralized dashboard.
- Scalability – Cloud-based platforms easily scale to meet demand for large events without bottlenecks.
By leveraging technology purpose-built for ticketing, organizers can sell more tickets while reducing manual errors and labor.
What types of events use ticketing software?
All types and sizes of events can benefit from event ticketing software. Common use cases include:
- Concerts and festivals
- Theater and performing arts shows
- Sports games and races
- Conferences and seminars
- Food, wine, and beer festivals
- City tours
- Museums and galleries
- Comedy shows
- Nightclubs and parties
- Galas and fundraisers
Whether an intimate local theater production or a major festival expecting over 100,000 attendees, event ticketing software provides the necessary tools to sell tickets smoothly and access robust data.
How does event ticketing software integrate with other systems?
To create a seamless experience, event ticketing platforms integrate with many other event management and ecommerce systems, such as:
- Event websites – Display tickets and allow sales directly through your event site.
- Online registration – Connect attendee registration to ticket purchases.
- Email marketing – Automate email promotions and reminders based on ticket sales data.
- Social media – Post upcoming event notifications and ticket launch alerts.
- POS and box office terminals – Process on-site ticket sales and redemptions in real time.
- Mobile apps – Allow ticket management, promotions, and even ticket scanning from a custom mobile app.
- Accounting systems – Export sales and payment data to accounting, ERP, or auditing systems.
Robust APIs and integration capabilities ensure that ticketing data flows between systems to create a unified event management ecosystem.
What options are available for selling tickets?
Modern ticketing platforms are extremely flexible when it comes to selling event tickets. Organizers can take advantage of:
- Website widget – Add a ticketing widget to your event website for online sales.
- Custom website integration – Deeply integrate ticket sales into your event site’s frontend and backend.
- Social media links – Share and sell tickets directly through social posts.
- Mobile app – Let attendees purchase tickets and manage tickets through a dedicated mobile app.
- Box office / POS – Use box office ticketing terminals to scan tickets, print will call tickets, and process on-site sales.
- Call center – Connect your call center software to your ticketing system so agents can lookup customer accounts and process phone orders.
- Third-party retailers – Sell tickets through major ticketing marketplaces like Ticketmaster or Eventbrite.
A robust ticketing platform provides the tools to sell tickets through any channel you need to market your event and reach attendees.
How are tickets delivered to buyers?
There are several delivery options that organizers can use to get tickets to attendees:
Mobile ticketing provides the most convenience for buyers and security for organizers by eliminating the risk of lost paper tickets, counterfeits, and theft. However, print-at-home and will call options allow flexibility for attendees that may prefer a physical ticket.
How much does event ticketing software cost?
Event ticketing software is available in a wide range of pricing models to suit different needs:
- Free plans – Entry-level platforms offer free accounts but charge per-ticket fees, limited features, and may display their branding.
- Flat monthly/annual fee – Typically $50-$150/month for robust functionality and unlimited events and tickets.
- Per event fee – Around 1-2% of total ticket revenue per event, allowing unlimited tickets.
- Tiered monthly plans – Charges increase incrementally based on number of events, venues, tickets, etc.
- Enterprise – Custom pricing for major festivals, venues, promoters, and large international events. Includes dedicated support and functionality.
Many popular platforms offer free trials so organizers can test capabilities before committing. Nonprofits and charities may receive discounted or promotional rates as well.
What should you look for in an event ticketing platform?
When evaluating event ticketing software, keep the following features and capabilities in mind:
- Types of events supported – Ensure the platform can handle your specific event type and size.
- Ease of use – The interface should be intuitive for your staff and seamless for attendees.
- Promotional functionality – Dynamic pricing, custom ticket packages, refund policies, and other sales options.
- Reporting and analytics – Robust and customizable sales reports and attendee data.
- Seating maps – Ability to create seating charts for reserved tickets.
- Integration – Assess available integrations with other event software, payment gateways, email, etc.
- Customer support – Look for 24/7 support via phone, email, chat, and online knowledgebase.
- Branding – Ability to use your own branding, colors, logos on all elements.
- Security – SSL encryption, PCI compliance, and fraud prevention capabilities.
Choosing a platform built specifically for event ticketing will ensure you get the specialized functionality required for seamless, successful ticket sales.
What are the most popular event ticketing platforms?
Some of the most widely used event ticketing platforms include:
Platform | Overview |
---|---|
Eventbrite | Easy-to-use platform great for small to mid-sized public events. Known for free plan and low fees. |
Ticketmaster | Major platform focused on large venue concerts and festivals. Deep industry connections. |
AXS | Full-featured ticketing tailored to concert venues and live entertainment. |
SeatGeek | Great for sports and live events. Integrated digital ticketing and analytics. |
Ticket Tailor | Intuitive platform ideal for smaller events like conferences, fundraisers, and festivals. |
These represent just a sample of the many excellent event ticketing systems available. The right choice comes down to your budget, features needs, and type of events.
What ticketing features are must-haves versus nice-to-haves?
Must-have event ticketing features that are essential for most organizers:
- Online sales
- Real-time ticket management
- Refund processing
- Discount codes and promotions
- Custom branding
- Robust reporting
- POS integration
- Secure payment processing
Nice-to-have features that provide added convenience and marketing capabilities:
- Dynamic ticket pricing
- Bundling options
- Social media integrations
- Customizable seating maps
- Waitlists
- Gamification and rewards
- Ticket gifting
Prioritizing the must-have features ensures your platform selection has the core ticketing functionality your event requires. The nice-to-haves provide bonus capabilities to maximize sales and wow attendees.
What trends are shaping the event ticketing software industry?
Some notable trends in event ticketing software include:
- Mobile ticketing – Mobile tickets continue to grow in popularity thanks to convenience, security, and contactless entry through barcode/QR code scanning.
- Dynamic pricing -Data-driven pricing adjusts costs based on demand to find the optimal price and maximize revenues.
- Upselling features – Platforms make it easier to sell premium add-ons like VIP packages, meet-and-greets, etc.
- Better data – Platforms provide increasingly detailed attendee data for better event marketing and personalization.
- Integrated solutions – All-in-one event platforms provide registration, website, email, surveys, and more alongside ticketing.
As technology progresses, event ticketing platforms will leverage advanced capabilities like AI, VR, and blockchain to create more seamless and secure experiences. The convenience of mobile in particular is transformative for how attendees purchase, manage, and use tickets.
Conclusion
Event ticketing software provides a robust, reliable way for event organizers of all types and sizes to sell tickets and manage attendees. Key features like promotions and analytics, coupled with strong integrations and mobile convenience, help drive higher revenues, security, and customer satisfaction. As technology enhances capabilities like dynamic pricing and data insights, ticketing platforms will continue revolutionizing event management.
With a clear understanding of ticketing features and trends, event planners can confidently choose software that streamlines operations and provides a seamless, successful ticket buying experience.