Ticketing Systems for Events and Cultural Organizations

Choosing a ticketing system for your organization is no easy task. There's an array of software programs available and even more hosted systems to choose from, so where to start.

The best idea is probably to list the features you can't do without and then list the features you would really like if possible, but are not absolutely essential. Then go to our ticketing system comparison page where you will find a listing of the main features of most programs on offer. Use this list to compare various ticketing systems side by side to help you narrow down the choice of a system that best fits your needs.

Types of Ticketing Systems

Ticketing systems or event management software can basically be categorized in four distinct groups.

1. Admin. based booking system Stand-alone software which is installed on the organisation’s computer and is maintained and operated exclusively by that organization. No online booking ability is provided. All bookings must be input manually by an administrator and tickets issued and printed by the administrator.

2. Online system Stand-alone software which is also installed on the organisation’s computer but with the additional ability of enabling patrons to book tickets and subscriptions themselves online. Administrator is also able to process bookings via the online interface. May offer the ability for patrons to choose seats interactively online from a seating plan or may only offer “best available” seating

3. Online 3rd party hosted system Booking system hosted by a third party where the organisation pays a fee per ticket on every ticket sold which may be either a $ amount per ticket or % of the ticket price. Typical charges can range from a minimum of around $0.65 per ticket for high volume venues up to 6% or more of ticket price. The online booking facility would normally be seamlessly integrated into the organisation's webpage so it exclusively processes and records bookings for that organisation only. The database is maintained by the hosting company but the organisation may have almost complete access to the database and ability to generate reports as required.

4. Ticket selling services Specialist ticket booking and ticket issuing organization which handles bookings on behalf of many different organizations. Patrons purchase tickets via the ticketing company’s website and the organisation pays a $ amount per ticket or % of the ticket price and possibly an establishment or set-up fee. The database is maintained by the ticketing company and the organisation normally does not have access to the database but relies on standard set of reports generated by the ticketing company.