by As an event organiser, it is your job to ensure the smooth check-in of guests at your event. Guest registration is one of the most important elements to get right. It’s often the first interaction with your attendees. Your goal should be to make the process smooth, flawless, and less time-consuming.
That’s where event check-in apps come in.
Smartphone apps offer a quicker way to register guests at any event. They reduce the number of staff required and are an easy alternative for guests to register online so they can avoid long queues.
It is safe to say that event check-in apps are transforming traditional event check-in…and in a good way.
Read on to learn about…
- The benefits of event check-in apps
- What to look for in event check-in apps
- The event check-in apps we recommend
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The benefits of event check-in apps
Event check-in apps are a one-stop solution for your event registration. From creating a self-registration page, to selling tickets, to promoting, to answering FAQs, to onsite check-ins, they offer virtually everything.
1. First impressions
Smartphone apps allow event organisers to make a good first impression. As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Check-in apps give your guests a positive experience from the get-go.
2. Reduce paper
Check-in apps also reduce the need for paper lists. Suppose your company plans 10 large-scale events every year. You can imagine the amount of paper required to print the names of all the guests. An app cuts the cost of printing to almost zero. Finally, you avoid paper guest lists getting misplaced.
3. Last-minute changes
Event check-in apps also provide easy accommodation for unexpected guests. After all, you don’t want to hold up the queue and register new guests at the last minute. More advanced apps also allow guests to request changes for accommodation, dining, and other activities.
4. Increased productivity
Event check-in apps boost productivity by 27% according to a study by Frost & Sullivan. They also reduce the need for extra staff, which cuts your overall event budget, too.
5. Attendee insights
Apps for check-in also provide you with insights about your attendees. Once you know who’s registered for your event, you can keep a record and use it to promote future events. Some event apps with broader functionality can even give you some valuable feedback about the speaker, venue, quality of food, and other aspects of the event.
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What to look for in an event check-in app
When choosing a check-in app, it’s vital to understand whether it will offer your guests a 5-star experience or not.
The wrong ticket scanner can make checking in stressful and result in unhappy guests. You don’t want your guests to miss out on the start of your event just because your ticket scanner wasn’t working.
Let’s look at some qualities of a good event check-in app.
QR codes
A good check-in app directly scans the QR code from an Android or iOS device and offers customised QR codes for event check-in.
Syncing
Your check-in app should offer real-time syncing of information so duplicate ticket entries are kept to a minimum. High-speed tracking also helps in case of multiple entry points to the event.
Flexibility
The hallmark of a good app is versatility and flexibility. See if it can scan different ticket types such as valet passes for outdoor events. It should also be able to process credit card sales for on-the-day registration.
Cost-effective
It should go without saying that the app needs to be affordable and easy to use. You don’t want to be bogged down with technical issues on the day of the event.
Questions to ask yourself
Here are some general questions you should ask yourself when you assess the suitability of a given event check-in app:
- How many tickets can it scan per second?
- How much does it cost?
- Does it need any extra equipment?
- What’s your back-up plan in case the WiFi is down?
- How well does it synchronise data?
- Does it come with software to prevent ticket duplication?
- How many types of tickets can it scan?
- Can you create custom QR codes?
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Which event check-in app should you choose?
The million-pound question is which event check-in app you should choose. There are many excellent options that guarantee a speedy registration process. Let’s take a quick look at the top five on the market today.
1. Cvent OnArrival
OnArrival by Cvent promises to eliminate stress with smooth check-ins. The app allows event organisers to sync guest data via the Cvent event management platform.
It also features a self-service kiosk mode allowing attendees to register, pay, check in, and create custom badges. The app requires a Bluetooth connection to work and uses scannable barcodes. It is easy to set up and connects your phone to an iPad and a compatible printer.
2. Billetto
Billetto (that’s us!) offers another easy and free check-in app for Android and iOS. Event organisers can turn their mobile phones and tablets into portable ticket scanners in the blink of an eye.
It supplements Billetto’s ticketing site that lets organisers set up an event page to sell tickets. The tickets are then emailed to the attendees. It is up to them to either print or display them at the entrance on their phones.
3. ScanAttendee by Eventdex
ScanAttendee is a mobile-first event app. It features a robust onsite and online registration interface, lead retrieval app, event app, attendee check-in, and B2B matchmaking solution.
The app also allows event organisers to print badges and add new attendee names to the guest list in a hassle-free manner.
4. Boomset
This check-in app offers many features like real-time reporting, networking, lead retrieval, and smooth check-ins. Boomset’s advanced features allow guests to register themselves and even alter their event schedule.
It’s great free event check-in software that also helps organisers add more names to the list in seconds. The most notable feature is the selfie mode. Guests can take a selfie upon checking in and instantly print it onto their badges.
5. Social Tables
Social Tables has a free event attendee tracking app used by the likes of Dow Jones, Forbes, and Blizzard Entertainment when they host big events. It’s a cloud-based app with simple event registration.
The free check-in app helps teams collaborate on a single platform from anywhere. It allows access to attendee information and keeps it safe in the cloud.
What’s the right check-in app for you?
Check-in event apps are the new “hip” in the event management industry. If you aren’t using one, you’re behind the curve.
There’ll soon come a day when the question won’t be about whether you’re using an event check-in app or not. It will be about which app you’re using and why.
Let us know which check-in app is your favourite in the comments section below!