Did you know that nearly 60% of organizations deal with manual payments and outdated registration systems? If you’re facing these challenges, you’re probably asking yourself how to choose the right registration software to make your operations more efficient.
Selecting the right event registration software can significantly impact your ability to create a memorable event. The right choice can save you time, reduce errors, and dramatically improve how you manage classes or events.
In this guide, we’ll explain the key steps to choosing the right online registration software, help you find a solution ideally suited to your needs, and set your organization up for success.
What Exactly is an Online Registration System?
If you want to improve your business operations, you might want to consider using an online registration system. But what 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
Choosing the Right Online Registration Software
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. Provide short daily training sessions for continuous learning and practice to ensure successful adoption.
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 documents’ authenticity and integrity, ensuring 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. 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 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 easily via messaging apps. 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 customer trust and credibility 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. According to Capterra, poor support is a leading reason for customer dissatisfaction with event management software.
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.
Remember 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.
How to Choose the Right Registration Software for Your Business?
We’ve analyzed four top registration software solutions to help you find the perfect fit for your needs, whether you’re managing camps, classes, or other activities. Here’s what each one offers and how they can support your operations. Software Compared:
- Jumbula
- Sawyer
- Regpack
- Jackrabbit
Jumbula
Jumbula is an online registration and management platform created for organizations that manage various programs, such as camps and classes. Whether you require customizable registration forms, secure payment processing, or advanced features to manage everything from private lessons to subscription services, Jumbula has you covered.
Created to streamline your operations and improve the participant experience, Jumbula provides the flexibility and tools you need to simplify program management and ensure the smooth running of every activity.
Key Features of Jumbula:
- User-Friendly Design: Intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible for administrators and participants, reducing the time and effort involved in managing registrations.
- Customizable Forms: This feature enables the creation of personalized registration forms specific to your program’s needs, ensuring you collect all the necessary information efficiently.
- Mobile-Friendly Interface: Fully responsive, enabling participants to register and make payments seamlessly from any device, which is particularly beneficial given the widespread use of smartphones.
- Secure Payment Integration: Connects with popular payment gateways, offering secure and reliable processing to protect participants’ data and streamline financial management.
- Real-Time Analytics: Provides real-time insights into registration data, helping you monitor progress and make informed decisions.
- Comprehensive Support: This service offers customer support for everything from initial setup to troubleshooting, ensuring effective system use.
- Feature-Rich Platform: Beyond basic registration, it includes tools for managing private lessons, subscription services, and advanced marketing and SEO options, setting it apart from other solutions in the market.
- Group Registration: Allows multiple participants to be registered together in a single transaction, ideal for families or organizations signing up several attendees simultaneously.
- 14-Day Free Trial: Offers a risk-free 14-day trial, allowing you to explore its features and see if it meets your needs before committing.
Sawyer
Sawyer is an online registration system for children’s classes, camps, and events. It features a kid-focused marketplace where classes are listed on their website, with the option to embed listings on your site. Sawyer includes family profiles, allowing parents to list authorized caregivers and making the registration process more secure and convenient.
Key Features of Sawyer:
- Kid-Focused Marketplace: Sawyer’s platform is dedicated to children’s activities, ensuring that all listings are relevant and tailored to this audience.
- Family Profiles: Parents can create family profiles that include authorized caregivers, simplifying the process of managing registrations for multiple children.
- Group Registration: The system supports group registrations, making it easier for families to register multiple children simultaneously for classes or camps.
- Basic Reporting: While Sawyer offers essential reporting tools, these may be somewhat limited compared to more advanced systems.
Online and In-Person Classes: Sawyer supports online and in-person classes, providing flexibility for organizations and participants.
Regpack
Regpack is a flexible registration and payment processing tool designed for various industries, including education, sports, and camps. Its adaptive technology simplifies creating custom forms and managing complex registration workflows, making it an excellent fit for organizations with diverse needs.
Key Features of Regpack:
- Customizable Payment Plans: This option offers flexible payment options, allowing participants to spread their payments over time, which is particularly useful for long-term programs.
- In-depth Reporting and Analytics: Equipped with powerful reporting tools, Regpack provides valuable insights into participant behavior and registration trends, enabling organizations to make informed decisions.
- Mobile-Ready Design: Ensures that participants can register and make payments seamlessly on any device.
- E-Signature Capabilities: Streamlines the registration process by integrating electronic signatures directly into the platform.
- Group Registration: simplifies the process of signing up multiple participants under a single account, making it ideal for team-based activities or family registrations.
Jackrabbit
Jackrabbit is specifically designed to support gymnastics, dance, swim, cheer, and music programs, focusing on the unique needs of schools and youth activity centers that offer these courses.
Key Features of Jackrabbit:
- Costume and Recital Management: This program provides tools for managing costumes and recitals, making it easier to organize and execute these key aspects of dance and gymnastics programs.
- Staff Time Tracking: This feature includes a time clock for monitoring staff hours, streamlining payroll processes, and ensuring accurate timekeeping.
- Skill Progress Tracking: This feature allows teachers to track and share student progress through a parent portal, enhancing communication between instructors and parents.
- Designed for Dance and Gymnastics: Created specifically for dance and gymnastics classes, ensuring that the features and tools are perfectly suited to the needs of these programs.
If you want to learn more about the best software, In that case, this article will highlight the best online registration software options for 2024, evaluated based on their features, flexibility, ease of use, and customer support. Explore the options to find the system best suits your organization’s requirements.
Wrap up
Selecting the right event registration software is essential for streamlining your operations and enhancing the experience for both your team and participants. The right system will save you time, reduce errors, provide valuable insights, and seamlessly integrate with your existing tools. Whether you’re managing classes, camps, or other activities, finding a solution that meets your specific needs can significantly impact your organization’s success.
As you consider how to choose the right online registration software, it’s important to evaluate options like Jumbula, Sawyer, Regpack, and Jackrabbit. Each platform offers unique features to meet different industries’ specific needs and requirements. From user-friendly interfaces and customizable forms to advanced analytics and secure payment processing, these solutions are designed to simplify event coordination and improve your overall efficiency.
To truly understand how to run seamless online registration, we recommend booking a demo or starting a 14-day free trial—no credit card needed. This will give you experience with the features and help you determine if the solution aligns with your goals. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your event management with the right tools.
