Planning a successful event involves many details, but one of the most crucial aspects is selecting the right online registration system. Choosing the right online registration software can significantly impact your ability to create a memorable event. With so many options available, how do you make the right decision?
This guide will help you identify the perfect software for your specific needs. It covers essential steps such as assessing your business requirements, reviewing competitor feedback, prioritizing user-friendliness, and ensuring security.
By following this advice, you can find the right online registration system that impresses attendees and simplifies event coordination. With the appropriate online registration software, you can ensure a smooth and successful upcoming event.
What exactly is an online registration system?
If you are looking for a way to improve your business operations, you might want to consider using an online registration system. But what exactly is an online registration system? An online registration system is a digital tool that allows you to create and manage web-based forms for events, programs, services, or memberships. I
t can help you save time, reduce costs, increase data accuracy, and enhance customer satisfaction. Whether you are running a small business, a non-profit organization, or a large corporation, an online registration system can make your life easier and your business more successful.
Read more: Benefits of an online registration system on businesses
How to choose the right online registration software?
In order to choose the right online registration software you have to carefully follow the steps below:
- Assess your business requirements
- Research competitor systems and user reviews
- Focus on user-friendliness
- Consider a digital signature option
- Embrace mobile responsiveness
- Prioritize security
- Ensure access to quality technical support
Assess your business requirements
Organizing events requires finding the right online registration system for your business that meets all your needs. This can be a challenging task, but by taking the time to understand your event and desired outcomes, you can identify the exact features you need in an event registration system to ensure success.
Start by listing challenges typically faced during event registrations from a customer and business perspective. Make sure to get input from employees at all levels of the organization so you have a comprehensive understanding of what is needed.
Once you have established your goals, you’ll be ready to specify precisely which features will work best for your business and customers. Right online registration systems should include features such as online and on-site registrations, management capabilities, analytics and reporting, customization options, and integration with other products. These features ensure smooth operations and an enjoyable experience for attendees!
Research competitor systems and user reviews
In addition to determining what you need in an online registration system, it’s also crucial to research its features and compare it to competitors. If several of your competitors are using a particular system, it likely has features that would work well for your business too.
Consider reaching out to competitors you have a positive relationship with for their input and insights on what works well and what doesn’t for their business.
When considering multiple options, create a pros and cons list to help you narrow down the selection. After identifying your top 5 choices, review user ratings and feedback on websites like SourceForge, G2, or Capterra to make an informed decision that will best serve your business.
Focus on user-friendliness
As you consider the right online registration software for your business, consider its ease of use. While advanced technology is great, it’s only valuable if your employees and customers can use it.
The ideal software should be simple and straightforward yet offer various features to streamline processes. It’s essential to involve multiple team members in testing the system to ensure it meets everyone’s needs.
If the system excels in registrations but falls short in reporting, there may be better solutions for your business. Investing in software that only partially meets your needs may result in additional expenses for complementary solutions, causing your team to save time moving data between systems.
Choose intuitive and easy-to-navigate software, making the registration process seamless for participants. Minimize obstacles for both your team and prospective attendees. The new software should be simple for your team to learn, which can cause frustration and low motivation.
To assess the software’s ease of use, schedule a demo with a qualified expert and have your team test it in practice. According to PWC research, workers in the US are willing to spend 12 hours per month learning new technology. To ensure successful adoption, provide short daily training sessions for continuous learning and practice.
Consider a digital signature option
Before selecting a provider for online registration forms, consider incorporating digital signatures. Digital signatures are a secure form of electronic signature that requires an additional level of assurance through digital certificates.
This method uses an advanced mathematical technique to validate the authenticity and integrity of documents, making sure they have not been compromised while being sent from sender to receiver.
Not only is it a safe option for authenticating documents, but it’s also efficient, as parents can digitally sign their forms and submit them instantly without having to download, print, sign, scan, and upload them again.
Embrace mobile responsiveness
In today’s world, where 60% of internet users access it through their smartphones, having a mobile-responsive website is essential. According to think with Google, users are so accustomed to their mobile devices that 50% of them will avoid a website if it’s not mobile-friendly, even if they like the business.
Therefore, a system that adjusts to different devices is crucial to maintain your credibility and user experience. Visitors expect a seamless experience across all devices, so if they access your website on their computer and see disorganized text or can’t click on a small registration button, they’ll quickly become frustrated.
A mobile-friendly website will make your visitors happy and boost your search engine ranking, making it easier for potential attendees to find you. Plus, it enables users to share content with others via messaging apps easily. On the other hand, if they access your site on a computer, they may not bother sharing it at all.
Prioritize security
With growing concerns over using sensitive information online, it’s crucial to prioritize security in your event registration system. According to Security Metrics, 74% of companies failed to encrypt their clients’ credit card information in 2020, emphasizing the need for secure systems.
Ensure your system has an SSL certificate for secure online transactions and follows international security standards such as the EU’s GDPR or PCI-DSS.
In addition, a clear and detailed privacy policy is essential to reassure customers that their data is being collected, processed, and stored securely and privately. Inform users promptly of any changes made to the privacy policy.
By prioritizing security and privacy, you build trust and credibility with customers and show that your business takes these matters seriously.
Ensure access to quality technical support
Even with the best software, technical issues are inevitable, so access to quality technical support is essential. Poor support is a leading reason for customer dissatisfaction with event management software, according to Capterra.
Employees need to feel confident that they can ask questions and receive answers from a qualified professional, so it’s essential to research support options before choosing an online registration system.
Keep in mind that while large companies may offer excellent customer service, they may not be able to provide personalized attention. On the other hand, smaller companies may offer a more personal approach but may need more resources to provide support around the clock.
Consider the system’s support methods, such as email, phone, or video tutorials. Some employees may prefer reading an email, while others may need a technician to demonstrate how to resolve an issue.
Look for a system like Jumbula, which offers setup and onboarding with a dedicated project manager, training from a team, and ongoing support from a dedicated support team. Plus, they offer one-on-one support and a video database of tutorials and answers to any questions you may have.
Wrap up
After careful consideration of all the factors in choosing the right online registration software, Jumbula emerged as the leading online registration system. Its user-friendly interface, strong mobile compatibility, and exceptional customer support set it apart by simplifying event coordination instead of adding complexity.
Jumbula provides intuitive tools such as drag-and-drop form builders and real-time registration analytics, enabling you to create tailored registration experiences tailored to your event’s requirements.
Its unmatched features and dedicated customer support offer peace of mind, ensuring that registration challenges won’t hinder your event. For effortless registration that leaves your attendees delighted, Jumbula is the obvious choice.
Take advantage of a free trial today and discover why thousands of event planners trust Jumbula to ensure the success of their events.