Special Feature – Overview of online ticketing solutions

Bespoke solution

Advantages

? system can be designed to match the client?s precise needs, including full integration with existing branding and/or web properties

Disadvantages

? total cost of ownership is invariably high

? high up-front costs

? no opportunity to share development costs with other clients

? on-going maintenance and upgrade costs

Box office suppliers

Advantages

? real-time solution

? seamless integration with existing ‘offline’ box office system

? modest on-going maintenance costs

Disadvantages

? the venue can be tied to its existing box office supplier?s system

? generally high up front costs

? online ticketing is not the sole focus of what box office suppliers do

Ticket agents

Advantages

? simple, no-fuss allocation system

? potentially wide coverage and exposure

? no limit on the number of agent partners who can use to sell your tickets

Disadvantages

? often high commission rates, typically 10-15%

? agents only tend to promote the ‘best’ tickets

? no access to customer data

? proceeds from sales do not go directly into venue?s bank account – up to 90 days wait

? no loyalty: a venue?s tickets compete with rival venues? tickets

? venues manually input data into their box office systems to process orders

Hosted service

Advantages

? can be branded to match venue?s existing web site

? money from online sales goes directly into venue?s bank account

? no in-house technical expertise required

? continual system upgrades possible

? automatic customer data capture

? comprehensive marketing opportunities, including membership, questionnaires, text messaging and e-marketing

? additional services such as ?print at home? tickets

Disadvantages

? venues manually input data into their box office systems to process orders

? venues must allocate administrative staff to manage the system

? venues need to market their websites to drive sales