An Online Registration Solution (ORS) is a key part of your event website. It enhances the entire event management process from simplifying your work processes to reducing your workload. To cover these numerous benefits more effectively, we have divided this article into multiple segments.

In the last issue of the EventAvenue newsletter, 'The many uses of an online registration solution' series focused on the 'data' factor i.e. how an online registration solution can enhance data management process. In the fourth segment of this series, we will discuss the 'configuration' aspect - how you can configure different features to automate both mundane and complicated tasks such as enforcing mandatory fields, setting event capacity and making instant changes and reduce your workload.

Set Mandatory Fields: Have you noticed that sometimes despite explicit instructions that fields are mandatory registrants do not bother to fill them. An ORS makes setting mandatory fields hassle free. Unlike a paper-based form, when you set a mandatory field on an online form, registrants cannot proceed without filling in that field. If they try to circumvent the field, a message informing them that the mandatory field and must be filled in order to proceed is displayed. No more, incomplete forms that adds to your workload.

Manage Event Capacity: Before ORS, when you reached your event limit and registrations were still pouring in, you had to call up registrants to inform them that their registrations were declined. With an ORS, you can set a registration limit to your form i.e. once you receive a set number (e.g. 200) of registrations, anyone who tries to register will see a 'No Seats Available' message along with an option to be wait-listed. This will increase goodwill and give you some leeway in case of cancellations and no-shows.

Auto Total: An ORS has smart forms with built-in logic. This is a handy feature to have when you offer registrants choices i.e. select seminar A/B/C or select all. In such cases, the total amount payable varies depending on the registrants' choices. The 'Auto Total' feature is built into your form and the total amount payable is calculated automatically and accurately. It ensures that you or your accounts department is not tied up calculating the total payable for 500 odd registrants.

Make Changes Instantly: How many times has a client called demanding changes after you have printed the registration form? This is a costly problem as reprinting the form eats into your budget and reduces the time allotted to accept registrations. With an ORS, 'changes' are a non-issue. Since there is no paper-based form, you can make your changes at any stage of the event at a click of a button, without it affecting your budget or timelines.

These are just some of the configuration benefits that you reap with an online registration solution. In the next EventAvenue issue, we will continue our quest to discover more about the uses and benefits of adding an Online Registration Solution to your event website.