Getting Started with Online Ticketing
Moving from cash on the door to online ticket sales is one of the best decisions an event organiser can make. It gives you better visibility of attendance numbers, reduces queues on the day, and helps you plan more effectively. With platforms like Tickts, the process is straightforward and completely free.
Before you set up your first event, you need to consider a few key things: your event details, pricing structure, and how you want to handle payments.
Choosing the Right Platform
Not all ticketing platforms are created equal. Many charge significant booking fees that either eat into your revenue or get passed on to fans. Tickts offers zero booking fees, meaning the ticket price is exactly what the fan pays.
- Zero fees — no commission, no booking charges
- Direct payments — money goes straight to your Stripe account
- QR code scanning — built-in scanner for the door
- Real-time analytics — track sales as they happen
- Season passes — support for recurring fixtures
Setting Up Your First Event
- Create your organiser account and connect Stripe
- Add your venue with address and capacity details
- Create your event with title, description, and imagery
- Set up ticket types with prices and quantities
- Add any promo codes or early bird offers
- Publish and share your event page
Tips for Success
Share your event page across social media as soon as it goes live. The earlier you start selling, the better your attendance data will be. Use the analytics dashboard to track which channels drive the most sales, and consider setting up a waitlist for popular events to capture demand even when you sell out.
Choosing a Platform
The right ticketing platform depends on your needs, budget, and the type of events you run. Key factors to consider:
- Cost: Platform fees range from 0% (Tickts) to 10%+ (Skiddle, WeGotTickets). Over a year, the difference adds up to hundreds or thousands of pounds.
- Features: Do you need season passes, seating layouts, payment plans, or box office mode? Make sure the platform offers what you need.
- Ease of use: You should be able to create an event and start selling in under 10 minutes. If the setup process is complicated, you will waste time better spent promoting your event.
- Payout speed: How quickly do you get your money? Stripe Connect platforms like Tickts offer 2-day payouts. Some platforms hold funds until after the event.
Setting Up Your First Event
Once you have chosen a platform, creating your first event follows a standard process:
- Event details: Title, date, time, venue, description. Write a compelling description that sells the experience, not just states the facts.
- Ticket types: Create at least 2-3 ticket types to cater for different audiences (Adult, Concession, Child at minimum).
- Pricing: Set prices based on your costs, market research, and goals. Include early-bird pricing if launching well in advance.
- Images: Upload a high-quality event image. This appears in search results, social media shares, and on the event page.
- Publish: Once everything looks right, publish your event and share the link.
Post-Launch Checklist
- Share the event link on all social media platforms
- Email your existing contacts about the event
- Create a Facebook Event linking to the ticket page
- Pin the event to your social media profiles
- Test the purchase flow by buying a test ticket yourself
- Check that confirmation emails are delivering correctly
Frequently Asked Questions
How long before an event should I start selling tickets?
As early as possible. Four to six weeks of sales gives you time to promote, build momentum, and adjust your approach if sales are slow. Last-minute ticket launches leave no room for course correction.
Should I use one platform for all my events?
Yes. Using a single platform means one organiser profile, one audience database, consistent branding, and simpler financial reporting. Splitting across platforms fragments your data and audience.
Curious how tickts compares? See our side-by-side comparison of tickts vs Skiddle: fees, payouts, and features for UK organisers.