An online ticket management system is a software application that allows organizations to sell tickets for events, manage ticket sales, and track ticket holders online. It is an end-to end solution for automating and streamlining the ticket buying process for both event organizers and attendees.
Benefits of Online Ticket Management System
Here are some of the key benefits of using an online ticket management system:
- Convenience for attendees – Buyers can purchase tickets anytime, anywhere through the online system without having to physically visit the ticket counter.
- Flexibility in pricing and packages – Organizers can easily configure multiple ticket types, price levels, bundles, promotions etc.
- Seamless sales process – The buying process is simplified through an intuitive interface allowing quick ticket purchases via mobile/web.
- Cost-effective – An online system reduces the overhead costs associated with manual ticket processing and physical counters.
- Wider reach – Digital tickets open the event up to a geographically wider audience base that can buy tickets online.
- Data-driven insights – Dashboards and reporting provide organizers valuable insights into ticket sales for better decision making.
- Better access control – Online system allows ticket validation, restrictions on transfers, cancelled ticket tracking etc. improving access control.
- Environmentally friendly – Digital tickets reduce the need for paper tickets and printed receipts which is more eco-friendly.
Key Features of Online Ticket Management System
Here are some of the major features that a good online ticket management system provides:
- Customizable event setup – Flexibility to configure ticket pricing, capacity, bundles, seating arrangements etc. as per the event requirements.
- Multi-channel sales – Ability to sell tickets through website, mobile app, social media, email marketing, partnerships with ticket sites etc.
- Payment gateway integration – Facilitate global online payments by integrating payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.Net etc.
- CRM and analytics – Track customers journey and get actionable insights from ticket sales data through reports and dashboards.
- Access control – Ticket ID validation, QR code scanning, restricting resale of tickets to prevent fraudulent entry.
- Customer database – Collect customer information during ticket sales for future marketing and promotional initiatives.
- Email/SMS notifications – Automatically notify customers about successful ticket purchase, upcoming events, reminders etc.
- Refund management – Ability to efficiently process refunds in case of canceled events or returned tickets.
- White label options – Completely customize the look and feel of the ticket site as per brand requirements.
Types of Online Ticket Management Systems
Online ticket management systems can be broadly classified into the following types:
1. Off the shelf SaaS solutions
These are ready-made plug and play ticket management softwares offered by various vendors as a SaaS (Software as a Service) solution. The software is hosted and managed by the vendor on cloud. Some examples are TicketSpice, Eventbrite, TicketTailor etc. Benefits include quick implementation, predictable costs and easy scalability.
2. Open source softwares
These include free and open source ticket management platforms that can be self-hosted and customized as per requirements. They provide greater flexibility and control compared to SaaS solutions. Some examples are Tribe Tickets, Ticketoon, Pretix etc. However, they require more technical expertise to manage.
3. Custom-built solutions
Large event organizers often opt for a fully customized ticket management system built from ground up as per their specific business needs. It offers complete flexibility but requires significant time and investment in development.
Implementation of Online Ticket Management System
Implementing an online ticket management system involves the following key steps:
Identify requirements
Analyze ticket sales processes, volumes, events calendar etc. to identify functional and technical requirements for the system.
Select solution type
Evaluate SaaS vs open source vs custom system to select the right approach aligned with requirements and budget.
Onboard vendor
If opting for SaaS or custom development, evaluate and onboard suitable technology vendor for the project.
Customization
Configure the system as per branding needs, events workflow, payment integrations, access control and other parameters.
Integration
Integrate the ticket management system with website, email marketing platform, accounting software, CRM etc.
Testing
Thoroughly test the system functionality, payment flows, seat mapping and other components.
Launch
Deploy the system and start selling tickets for upcoming events. Continue monitoring and gather user feedback.
Maintenance
Regularly maintain the system, release updates to improve features, fix bugs and enhance performance.
Choosing the Right Online Ticket Management System
Here are some tips on selecting the right online ticket management system for your needs:
- Analyze your current ticket sales processes and volumes to estimate capacity requirements.
- Prioritize must-have features vs nice-to-have capabilities for your system.
- Evaluate potential solutions based on total cost of ownership, not just license fees.
- Check reviews and talk to existing users to validate vendor claims on features.
- Give importance to ease of use, accessibility, mobile capabilities and security.
- Confirm integration support for payment gateways, email systems, accounting software etc.
- Validate customer support response times and SLAs before making a decision.
- Prioritize vendors that provide 24×7 support and swift resolution of issues.
- Check for scalability of the solution as your events and sales volumes grow.
Choosing the right ticket management platform is critical for fast, convenient and secure ticket sales. Carefully evaluate all options based on event requirements before selecting the ideal system.
Conclusion
Online ticket management systems streamline the ticketing process through automation and provide enhanced sales capabilities. They allow organizers to easily configure event ticketing while offering attendees more convenience and flexibility. When selecting a ticket management solution, it is important to evaluate key requirements around features, capacity, costs, support and scalability. Careful analysis and right platform choice can help boost ticket sales and provide smooth experience for planners as well as participants.