I gained’t fake I’m an occasion marketer. However my mother has been a director of particular occasions for over 20 years (shoutout to her), so I fully perceive the significance of excellent occasion registration instruments.
I’ve heard her rattle off the various duties that must be accomplished earlier than, throughout, and after an occasion. And she or he comes from a small staff, so it’s very simple for issues to really feel overwhelming … and rapidly.
So, I did two issues: 1) I sat down with my occasion professional of a mother to speak about her favourite occasion registration software program, and a pair of) I scoured the web to offer you a couple of extra choices to select from.
All I ask for in return? An invitation to your subsequent occasion 😉
Let’s get into it.
I’ve damaged this record into three sections:
- Free Occasion Registration Instruments: You might even see a well-known face right here because it’s one choice that’s all the time free.
- An Occasion Director’s Favourite Instruments: These are a few my mother’s picks based mostly on her expertise operating occasions for a big, well-known non-profit for the final 20 years. (Right here’s a touch: Nice futures begin there.)
- Greatest On-line Registration Instruments: These are the entire highly-rated occasion registration instruments that I discovered in my search that supply paid or each free and paid plans.
Professional tip: Earlier than you begin your seek for the right occasion registration instrument, I’d advocate creating an occasion guidelines if you happen to haven’t already. Would possibly I provide HubSpot’s Final Occasion Planning Guidelines? It covers every little thing you might want to know to seamlessly execute any occasion.
Anywho, joyful looking!
Free Occasion Registration Instruments
1. HubSpot Free On-line Kind Builder
Obtain the On-line Kind Builder for Free
I do know, I’m tooting our personal horn a bit of bit right here. However HubSpot’s Free On-line Kind Builder actually does make it simple so that you can design an occasion registration type.
The drag-and-drop builder enables you to create, combine, and share kinds together with your viewers. Plus, the entire attendee contact info is routinely saved in your CRM. Good.
What I like most: There are over 1,000 type fields and over 12 area sorts you should utilize to customise your occasion registration type. Plus, it’s versatile and affords plugins with instruments like WordPress and integrations with instruments like Gravity Varieties.
You’ll be able to’t actually go improper if you happen to use a free instrument like this for occasion registration (or as your Content material Hub, CRM, Advertising and marketing Software program, Gross sales Software program, or Service Software program, for that matter).
Okay, I’ll cease gushing now.
An Occasion Director’s Favourite Instruments
2. Cvent
Cvent’s occasion know-how means that you can personalize your registration expertise.
You’ll be able to construct automated workflows to gather signups. It’s also possible to customise the visitor expertise utilizing focused campaigns and Cvent’s complete library of occasion templates.
I requested my mother, an esteemed director of particular occasions, what she likes most about Cvent, and he or she stated, “the wonderful thing about it’s you are able to do as little or as a lot as you want it to do.”
“The primary yr we used it, we had an 800-900 attendee occasion, and we used to do the entire registration manually. Now, we’re ready to make use of Cvent to print badges and arrange self-registration with minimal involvement from our workers.”
Total, she’s a fan of the scalability of the platform and the assist it offers to companies with little to no sources. She notes that this instrument “has been an enormous assist for her small however mighty useful resource improvement staff.”
Worth: Contact Cvent for pricing.
3. OneCause
OneCause affords a custom-made ticketing and fundraising platform. You’ll be able to create customized ticket sorts, group packages, and promo codes for attendees. So, if you happen to work at a non-profit or oversee donor occasions like my mother, this one’s for you.
Much like Cvent, she likes OneCause as a result of it cuts down her handbook work by a ton. She says, “it permits us to promote tickets to attendees and sponsorships to our largest donors.”
Plus, it’s actually good for managing different occasion parts together with silent auctions.
“My staff sends the public sale hyperlink to friends via OneCause, and winners get notified on the finish of the evening and pay straight through the platform. It’s tremendous easy, and the backend is simple to navigate,” she says.
Worth: Contact OneCause for pricing particulars.
Greatest On-line Registration Instruments
4. Google Varieties
I ship a great quantity of surveys to my staff, and I all the time use the free model of Google Varieties.
It really works nice for private use, however I discovered that Google additionally affords a paid model for groups that comes with higher safety and management over your information.
Google Varieties means that you can:
- Create and ship occasion registration kinds for attendees and observe all sign-ups.
- Drag and drop your type fields to customise the registration expertise.
- Add photos, movies, and customized logic to your type as you see match.
What the G2 rating says: Google Workspace has a G2 rating of 4.6. Right here’s what customers assume:
- Professionals: Optimistic opinions say the instrument means that you can simply “create a ticketing system for join by attendees” and “promote occasions via e mail advertising and social media platforms.”
- Cons: Others say the “formatting and design of the kinds might use an improve” they usually’d “love integration with Gmail” and different instruments to allow them to embed brief kinds through the registration course of.
Notice: Since I don’t have private expertise with most of those instruments, I sifted via the G2 opinions to offer you an concept of what works greatest for customers and what doesn’t. I’ll embody insights just like the above for every instrument on this part.
What I like most: Since Google Varieties Workspace requires a Google Enterprise Plan, you’ll additionally achieve entry to Google’s different merchandise in addition to extra information storage, wider video internet hosting choices, and added safety and administration controls in your occasions.
Worth: Plans vary in value from $6 to $18 monthly.
5. Splash
Throughout my search, I realized that Splash was not too long ago acquired by Cvent, however it’s nonetheless working as an occasion advertising program for on-line, in-person, and hybrid occasions.
Splash means that you can:
- Design and customise responsive net pages and emails in your occasion.
- Share registration kinds and RSVPs to assist attendee signup.
- Create sensible visitor lists, concentrating on, and e mail advertising options to streamline occasion registration and promotion.
What the G2 rating says: Splash has a G2 rating of 4.4. Right here’s what customers assume:
- Professionals: Optimistic opinions say it’s a “user-friendly platform” that makes it “simple to create touchdown pages and registration kinds.” They point out you “don’t need to be a designer or developer in any respect” to make use of it.
- Cons: Others say that the “web site builder” and “some design facets” are a bit restricted, and the reporting options aren’t “exceptionally versatile.”
What I like most: To me, Splash seems to be the combination queen. You need to use Splash together with your advertising automation platform and CRM (hey there, HubSpot) to research occasion information and use it to tell your future campaigns and occasions.
Worth: Attempt Splash totally free, request a demo, or converse with a gross sales rep to find out about the appropriate plan in your staff.
6. Whova
Whova is an occasion administration instrument that comes with some fairly sturdy occasion registration options. I’m speaking branded ticketing experiences, retargeting campaigns, and exhibitor or sponsor tiering.
Whova means that you can:
- Create tickets inside minutes and customise your registration workflows.
- Supply low cost pricing for early-bird or group ticket purchases) and various kinds of tickets (e.g., single vs. multi-day go).
- Ask attendees questions on your occasion throughout registration (e.g., what made them wish to attend or what they’re most excited for).
- Obtain early registration payouts to assist cowl your occasion bills.
What the G2 rating says: Whova has a G2 rating of … drum roll, please … 4.8. Right here’s what customers assume:
- Professionals: Optimistic opinions say the platform “simplifies occasion administration” and “solves the backup that happens throughout preliminary occasion registration.” They point out it’s a “one-stop-shop” for occasions and an enormous “time saver.”
- Cons: Others say they acquired “misplaced within the app” given the various options, and that Whova in all probability wants “a couple of extra seize factors for guests” on registration.
What I like most: From what I’ve seen, this platform works onerous for that top G2 rating. From embeddable registration widgets to real-time attendee monitoring, you’ll find absolutely anything you might want to run your occasion from begin to end.
Worth: Contact Whova straight for a quote.
7. Eventbrite
I’ve used Eventbrite to register for native meetups in Washington, DC, and area of interest health lessons like pet yoga. On the attendee aspect, it’s fairly simple to make use of for registration and to trace my upcoming occasions.
On the occasion administration aspect, Eventbrite means that you can arrange your occasion registration in three simple steps:
- Enter your occasion particulars — the who, what, the place, when, and why.
- Create your tickets and choose the value or sort (e.g., single vs. multi-day go). It’s also possible to provide reductions for early-bird and group purchases.
- Open your registration and share the occasion through net web page or social media.
What the G2 rating says: Eventbrite has a G2 rating of 4.3. Right here’s what customers assume:
- Professionals: Optimistic opinions say Eventbrite affords “a number of sorts of registration setups” and “administration dashboards with good analytics instruments.” Customers additionally like you can “customise the registration feel and appear” utilizing your individual graphics and logos.
- Cons: This one really comes from an occasion guru (my mother, once more). She stated it “doesn’t work nicely for big occasions” that require “extra detailed attendee information and monitoring choices.”
What I like most: The straightforward three-step setup looks as if it could work nice for smaller-scale occasions and newer occasion entrepreneurs. Plus, Eventbrite is recognizable. As a shopper, I belief the platform as a dependable supply to search out occasions close to me.
Worth: Eventbrite affords each free and paid plans. The Necessities and Skilled plans are free if you happen to host a free occasion. Eventbrite will solely cost you if you promote a paid ticket.
8. vFairs
vFairs is one other end-to-end occasion platform that helps you handle all the occasion lifecycle. I seemed via the software program suite, and it consists of check-in and badge printing software program, digital occasions software program, occasion ticketing and registration software program, and extra.
vFairs means that you can:
- Create a branded occasion touchdown web page to advertise your occasion and seize registrations.
- Customise your registration kinds via a self-serve, drag-and-drop module.
- Implement if/then circumstances on the kinds to personalize the information collected based mostly on person choice.
- Securely acquire funds via well-liked cost platforms like Stripe and PayPal.
What the G2 rating says: vFairs has a G2 rating of 4.7. Right here’s what customers assume:
- Professionals: Optimistic opinions say the platform is “extraordinarily simple to make use of” and “extremely person pleasant” with little to no technical points upon implementation.
- Cons: Others say the platform is powerful, however “some options may gain advantage from extra customization choices.” And since it’s very complete, it may be “complicated to navigate” at instances.
What I like most: With vFairs, you may routinely set off e mail workflows for various person segments each inside the platform and thru integrations together with your CRM. I all the time love when instruments take away the handbook facets of my work and play nicely with others.
Worth: Contact vFairs for a custom-made quote.
9. RSVPify
I poked across the RSVPify platform, and I can inform you it’s designed to deal with occasions of all sizes — every little thing from informal occasions to enterprise {and professional} conferences.
RSVPify means that you can:
- Leverage customizable and responsive occasion registration and setup instruments.
- Streamline ticket gross sales, acquire donations, create customized occasion check-ins QR codes.
- Construct an occasion web site with event-specific templates and a wide range of integration choices.
What the G2 rating says: RSVPify has a G2 rating of 4.6. Right here’s what customers assume:
- Professionals: Optimistic opinions say the method for retaining observe of visitor particulars was “seamless and arranged.” They point out the “fashionable interface” and say the platform offers a “simplified expertise” for each admin and attendees.
- Cons: Others say there’s a “lack of customization for occasion emails and touchdown pages” and that added options like low cost codes “weren’t simply accessible.”
What I like probably the most: It’s the flexibility for me. Whether or not you might want to host a number of marquee occasions concurrently, an annual gala, or your marriage ceremony, RSVPify has an answer.
Worth: There’s a free choice out there, and paid choices vary from $19/month (for private occasions) to $39/month (for skilled occasions).
10. Accelevents
For my part, Accelevents is a superb choice for occasions that require superior coordination. It’s an entire resolution with ticketing and registration options like assigned seating, pre-registration, and the flexibility to promote add-ons like merch or subscriptions.
Accelevents means that you can:
- Design a customized registration expertise for in-person, digital, or hybrid occasions.
- Create customized flows with conditional logic, attendee segmentation, embeddable widgets, and distinctive hyperlink monitoring.
- Construct customized API integrations or natively combine together with your CRM and advertising automation instruments.
What the G2 rating says: Accelevents has a G2 rating of 4.7. Right here’s what customers assume:
- Professionals: Optimistic opinions converse volumes about their chat assist, citing that customer support is “SO FAST” and “10 seconds away and all the time prepared to assist.” Additionally they point out it has the “greatest worth for total options and customization.”
- Cons: Others say the cellular app was “a bit cumbersome” they usually ran right into a “few bugs“ and “minor points” whereas utilizing the platform.
What I like probably the most: I’m a giant, large fan of stellar customer support. As I seemed via the opinions, I noticed tons of compliments for the Accelevents assist staff, and I believe that’s an enormous win — particularly for tech merchandise.
Worth: Contact Accelevents for a free trial and to schedule a demo.
RSVPs Made Simple (Nicely, At Least Simpler)
My recommendation for selecting occasion registration software program is that this: Take into consideration the registration options you completely can’t stay with out, and discover a instrument that does them nicely.
A lot of the instruments on the market (and on this record) are complete, however some are higher than others in sure areas. Do the analysis, and select the appropriate instrument in your particular wants.
In the meantime, I’ll be right here rooting for the second you may sit again and watch all of these hard-earned attendee sign-ups roll in.
Editor’s notice: This submit was initially revealed in January 2021 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.