5 tips for successful online ticket sales
Selling tickets online sounds straightforward, but there’s more strategy behind it than you might think. With these five tips you’ll get more out of your online sales channel.
1. Make the buying process as simple as possible
Every extra step in the buying process is an opportunity for the visitor to drop off. Make sure you:
- Don’t require registration for a first purchase
- Show clear pricing without hidden costs
- Support popular payment methods (credit card, PayPal, Stripe)
- The process works just as smoothly on mobile as on desktop
With Ovatic’s configurable widgets you can integrate a fully customisable buying process directly on your own website.
2. Use urgency wisely
“Only 8 seats left” is a powerful motivator. Be honest though — if you always suggest scarcity when the hall is half empty, you’ll lose your visitors’ trust.
Communicating genuine scarcity works very well:
- Display the remaining number of places in real time
- Send an email when an event is more than 80% booked
- Offer a waiting list for sold-out performances
3. Offer timely early bird discounts
Visitors who book early are valuable: you have certainty about occupancy and revenue. Reward that:
- Early bird: 10% discount when purchasing more than 4 weeks in advance
- Group discount: 5 or more tickets = 15% discount
- Subscriber benefit: Existing members get first access
In Ovatic you set this up linked to the price type, so certain ticket types are available at the right moment.
4. Make cross-selling natural
Let visitors order a drink, dinner reservation or parking space when buying a ticket. This significantly increases the average order value.
Ovatic Ticketing has built-in cross-sell capabilities that let you easily link extra products to specific events.
5. Analyse and optimise continuously
Regularly review your sales statistics:
- At what point in the buying process do people drop off?
- Which payment method is used most?
- When during the week and at what time are the most tickets purchased?
With these insights you can continuously improve your website, email campaigns and offering.
Want to know how Ovatic can help you sell more tickets? Get in touch or request a demo.