Box office software can help you sell more tickets or lose sales. It’s that simple, and that’s why it’s so important to choose the best box office ticketing software that gives you the features you need for your event or show to be a success.
No, you shouldn’t pay a fortune for box office software, but you shouldn’t have to give up any essential features to get an affordable solution. Make sure the ticketing provider you choose offers the following 10 essential box office software features.
1. Online and In-Person Box Office Ticket Sales
Most theaters and show venues sell tickets online and in-person at the theater box office, so the software you choose must allow you to sell tickets in both ways. Similarly, make sure the software allows you to print tickets or distribute electronic tickets.
The third critical part of the online/offline feature is to confirm that you’ll be able to scan digital and printed tickets at the door, so attendees can enter quickly and conveniently regardless of where or how they bought their tickets.
2. Reasonable Fees
Ideally, the box office software provider that you choose won’t charge you any fees upfront. Instead, the provider’s fee should come out of the money generated from ticket sales. Look for a provider who charges a flat fee per ticket sold.
3. Quick Payments to You
You don’t want to have to wait for money to get to you from ticket sales, so you should only work with a box office ticketing company that pays you as tickets are sold.
Furthermore, you shouldn’t have to sell a certain number of tickets to get your money as tickets are sold, nor should there be a threshold volume that you have to reach before real-time deposits start.
4. Support for You
Selling tickets can be time-consuming, so you need a partner, not just a software tool. Choose a box office software backed by a company with ticketing experts who understand your challenges. They should be directly accessible by phone and email and ready to help you when you need it so your event is as successful as possible.
5. Support for Ticket Buyers
As your event date gets closer, you’ll start getting more and more calls from ticket buyers with questions and problems. You don’t want to have to answer all of the ticketing questions, so look for a box office software company that provides ticket buyer customer service and answers all of their inquiries for you.
6. Multiple Ticket Types
Most box offices sell multiple types of tickets with a tiered pricing structure. You may even want to sell ticket bundles and offer group discounts.
If that’s the case, then you must choose a ticketing software that makes it easy for you to create as many types of tickets as you want at any price points you want. In addition, the software should make it easy for you to change, add, or remove different ticket types as needed.
7. Ticket Add-Ons
If you generate extra revenue from ticket sales by including add-ons with certain ticket purchases, then your box office software needs to include a ticket add-on feature.
For example, if you include a free drink, free food, free merchandise, or other freebies or discounts with certain ticket types, your software needs to make it easy for you to create and sell those tickets with add-ons.
8. Real-Time Ticketing Data
Ticketing data is crucial to selling tickets to your event. In the weeks and days leading up to your event, you need access to detailed data so you can make changes as needed to maximize ticket sales.
Review the data that will be available to you from the box office software you’re considering, and confirm that it’s adequate. Also, make sure you can download the data and slice and dice it as needed before and after your event.
9. Built-in Marketing
You’ll save time and money when you can manage some of your marketing from within your ticketing platform. Choose a system that includes email marketing features as well as social media marketing features.
This includes being able to track your marketing investments and see how they contribute to ticket sales. To that end, your ticketing software must allow you to track using tools like UTM codes, Google Analytics, and the Facebook pixel.
10. Integrations
Automation and integration are critical to ticket sales success, so your box office software should offer both. For example, automated email messages and notifications can help remind people to buy tickets and spread the word about your event or show to generate ticket buyer buzz.
Similarly, integrations can help you save time and seize opportunities. Look for a ticketing platform that integrates with Google AdWords, AdRoll, Facebook, and other digital advertising and marketing tools. In addition, choose a platform that integrates with email marketing software and tracking tools like Google Analytics and Tag Manager.
Key Takeaways about Box Office Software Features
For your event to be successful and ticket sales to go as smoothly as possible (so you sell as many tickets as possible), you need to choose a box office software that includes the 10 features discussed in this article at a minimum!
The AttendStar ticketing software provides all of the must-have features discussed in this article that you need and so much more. To learn more, call AttendStar at 615-223-1973 or submit the contact form today!