5 ways to increase event registrations

When you’re planning an event, attendance is probably one of your top concerns. Attendance can impact the success of your event, and low registration rates may leave you feeling worried. If your registration numbers are low at the moment, chances are there are still several ways you can increase event registrations.

Increasing registrations is a multistep process that starts with evaluating what is and isn’t currently working in your registration process. It’s important to identify any weaknesses in your current registration process so you can fix those problems.

Evaluate how your audience learns about your event

To start, take a look at how you’re sharing news about the event, including the details that you’re sharing and the methods you’re using to share that information. Ideally, your target audience should receive news of the event multiple times, creating a layered effect that motivates them to take action and register.

As you review the information, ask yourself some questions. What is the messaging surrounding the event, and is it meaningful to your target audience? Are you highlighting the value that it offers attendees, and are you giving your audience a reason to register for the event right now?

Try the registration process yourself

Trying to register yourself for the event will quickly reveal any issues in the registration process that might be causing registrants to drop off before completing the process. Issues with your registration form, payment processing, or other elements could be costing you registrations. Be sure to test the process on both a desktop computer and a mobile phone.

Once you’ve identified any weaknesses in your registration process, the following tips may help you address them while increasing your event registrations.

5 tips for increasing event registrations

Depending on what you find while examining your event registration process, you can use several strategies to potentially increase event registrations.

1. Create user-friendly registration forms

Forms that are difficult to understand or use can cause attendees to get frustrated or may make it impossible for them to complete the event registration process. You can use Jotform to design forms that are clean, professional, and easy to navigate.

With Jotform’s drag-and-drop form builder, you can customize one of our event registration templates or easily build your own custom form. When creating your form, keep the fields to a minimum and only collect the information you really need. Shorter forms with fewer fields are easier to fill out and will increase the chances of your attendees completing the registration process.

2. Show registrants their progress

Use visual cues to show attendees how close they are to completing the registration process. Include a page count or progress bar on your forms to show registrants that the process is quick and easy. Knowing that they’re just a few steps away from completing the registration can encourage attendees to be patient and complete the process.

3. Collect online payments

Make it as easy as possible for attendees to register by allowing them to pay online at the time of registration. With Jotform, you can collect payments using highly popular and trusted payment processors like PayPal and Stripe. When attendees are able to use a payment method they’re already familiar with, they can get through the registration process quickly, so they’ll be more likely to complete it.

4. Accept mobile registrations

Using Jotform Mobile Forms makes your registration process more versatile. With Jotform Mobile Forms, you can accept registrations right on your phone, gathering data on the go. The ability to collect registrations on a phone is ideal when you’re at a networking event, or you can even use it to collect registrations right at your own event.

Be sure that your registration form is optimized for mobile on browsers, too. Using a platform like Jotform, which offers mobile-responsive design, means that attendees can easily register no matter which device they’re using.  

5. Create a sense of urgency

Monitoring registrations is an essential part of your event planning process, and encouraging attendees to register early can help you better plan for event elements like food, supplies, breakout rooms, and more.

You can create a sense of urgency to help motivate attendees to register early. Consider offering a discounted rate to attendees who register before a certain deadline or highlighting the fact that spots are limited to create a fear of missing out.

Successful event registrations with Jotform

Following these steps may help increase registrations, which can contribute to your event’s success. Using a platform like Jotform can help you address many of the potential issues with your registration process, increasing the chances of your attendees being able to easily register for your event in advance. Jotform can also help you create a professional-looking registration process, which is particularly important in establishing the credibility of a new event that you plan to host again in the future. 

Photo by Harrison Haines