4 Reasons to Accept Square Gift Cards on Your Ticket Page
-
by
Riley Manning has worked as a travel and entertainment writer for more than 10 years. Today, he writes about unique events and the technology that helps make them happen.
As an event manager, you know firsthand the toll the pandemic took on the entertainment industry. You work hard to bring a wonderful experience to life for your customers while still meeting business objectives. The world is working its way toward a new normal, and businesses are adapting as quickly as possible. One positive step event managers can take is to make sure their ticketing platform is compatible with Square. SimpleTix makes the solution so simple.
Discover the top 4 reasons why accepting Square gift cards on your ticket page will keep you and your customers happy and bring them back again and again.
1. Keep Cash Flow Positive
According to Forbes Magazine, “in 2020, the entire global theatrical and home/mobile entertainment market totaled $80.8 billion, the lowest figure since 2016 and a decline of 18% from 2019.” Forbes also reports that theatrical profits fell from $42.3 billion in 2019 to $12 billion in 2020. Dramatic decreases as a result of the pandemic make it difficult for people in the entertainment market to plan, launch, and report on the events they manage.
No matter the size of your event, ticket revenue comprises most of the revenue you bring in. This is even more true for small venues forced to operate within the tight constraints of a limited budget. Issuing refunds adds more financial pressure because the money made on the ticket sale has already been spent on paying bills.
Accepting Square gift cards helps keep your cash flow positive. Instead of having to issue a refund, a gift card offers a tangible sign of good faith that gives the purchaser confidence that they’re going to get something in return for the money they’ve spent on an entertainment event.
Like most people in the event management business, you’ve probably used a Square point-of-sales system before. Square allows you to take payments on-site through a simple card reader that works with a variety of mobile phones and tablets. When you pair Square with SimpleTix, what you get is easy ticketing solutions with instant payouts.
2. Customers Can Gift Them
Instead of losing money on a return, when paying customers use a platform that accepts Square gift cards, everyone wins. You keep money flowing into your event, and the customer can give the gift cards to a friend if, for whatever reason, they are not able to attend.
Square gift cards give friends and family the ability give gifts without restricting the flexibility of a firm ticket. By utilizing Square gift cards, you are meeting the needs and expectations of your customers, and happy customers are more likely to become future, regular customers.
Many SimpleTix clients have reported that their customers have already started gifting museum tours via a Square gift card.
3. Promote Season Passes and Memberships
Season passes and memberships are another way you can keep your customers coming back over and over again. While sporting events might be the first season pass event that comes to mind, many businesses are incorporating memberships and passes into their business models. For example, aquariums, zoos, and theme parks all offer special memberships.
Operating a zoo requires a lot of planning and ingenuity. To help mitigate some of the stressful events you might experience in the course of operating a zoo, SimpleTix’s Zoo software can impact your zoos’ operations, provide a better experience for your visitors, and drive the revenue that keeps your gates open to the public. Where does it all start? Ticketing, of course.
Season passholders and members get special discounts and items other people attending your event don’t get. You want to ensure you continue to deliver the absolute best customer experience to your members. Your members — people who habitually patronize your business — are your most valuable customers. Be good to them.
With Square gift cards, your valued customers can give the gift of a membership or season pass to the friend of their choice. Seeing them do this will be a source of confidence for you because it demonstrates how deeply your customers believe in your business, and makes it more likely those happy patrons will continue to renew their memberships.
4. Make Refunds Easy
A report by Madison Square Garden found that 75% of customers prefer to keep their tickets for a later or rescheduled event instead of getting a refund. However, even with the best planning, some customers will need a refund. When you use a ticketing platform that is compatible with Square, you give your customers more refund options.
For example, if a customer has to change plans, you can give them the option of having their money refunded to a Square gift card, rather than back to their credit card. Your customers won’t have to wait days or weeks for their refund to process and show in their account. Thanks to Square, you can instantly issue a refund to a Square gift card.
If an event gets canceled, you can even batch refund with the option to receive the refund as a Square gift card. Working with a ticketing platform that is compatible with Square gives you and your customers more options.
SimpleTix and Square Make Ticketing Easy
SimpleTix is the only ticketing platform that is Square compatible, offering you an exclusive alternative to Eventbrite and other ticketing platforms. In fact, Eventbrite doesn’t accept Square or Stripe payments, and it does not support Square card readers.
In addition to working with Square to make all things ticketing easier, SimpleTix’s fee structure is less complicated and less costly than Eventbrite.
You won’t find hidden fees or fine print when you partner with SimpleTix. And that means more money in your pocket. When you work with SimpleTix, you get an Eventbrite alternative that can help save you thousands and make your customers happier than ever with their ticketing experience.
SimpleTix has offered an affordable, premium event ticketing platform that outperforms Eventbrite and similar apps for over 12 years. Compared to the competition, SimpleTix offers better options at a better price point. To learn more, call us at +1 (855) 550-3670 or email us here.
Categories
Latest News
Related Articles
Best Eventbrite Alternatives: What to Look For
-
by
Handling ticket sales and managing events online should give organizers flexibility and control, but Eventbrite’s platform often comes with challenges that add unnecessary stress. High transaction fees, limited payout options, and restrictions on how organizers access customer data can make it difficult to manage events efficiently. These limitations can cut into revenue, delay cash flow, and complicate audience engagement. If these challenges sound familiar, it might be time to explore Eventbrite alternatives that offer lower costs, faster access to funds and full ownership of your customer data. Here’s a look at what features are available in alternatives to Eventbrite and how these options can give you more control over your events. Lower Fees for Greater Profit Margins Eventbrite charges between 6% and 8% on transactions, which can quickly eat into your earnings, especially for high-volume or larger-ticket events. If you’re organizing multiple events in a year or if you’re handling big-ticket sales, these fees add up, taking away from what you could reinvest into the event or keep as profit. Some alternative platforms offer lower transaction fees, usually around 2% to 5%, helping you retain more of each sale. Flat-rate subscription pricing is also available on some platforms, so instead of paying per ticket, you pay a predictable monthly or annual rate. This approach often makes more sense for organizers with recurring events, as it eliminates the cost-per-ticket markup and provides a clearer picture of costs each month. Faster Access to Funds for Improved Cash Flow Eventbrite’s payout schedule typically processes funds within 4-5 business days after an event. While this works for some, others need faster access to ticket revenue to cover ongoing expenses, secure venues, or fund last-minute promotions. Delays in cash flow can create unnecessary stress, especially for organizers managing multiple vendors or those handling events on...
Features Your Event Registration Software Should Have
-
by
Choosing the right event registration software impacts every aspect of your event - from how many people complete registration to your stress levels on event day. Here's what actually matters when managing events in the last 2 years - based on data from 10,000+ events. Smart Registration Forms That Convert Powerful registration forms deliver an exceptional first experience for your attendees. Modern event ticketing software with conditional logic automatically personalizes the registration journey—when a VIP ticket holder registers, they instantly see their exclusive session options and perks. This smart adaptation creates a clean, focused experience that drives registrations. Mobile registration dominates the event industry, with 68% of tickets purchased on phones. Top-tier registration software excels at mobile experiences, offering one-page checkout and automatic progress saving. Simpletix customers typically see 35% higher completion rates thanks to these mobile-optimized features. Key Conversion Features: Smart conditional logic Mobile-first design One-click checkout Automatic progress saving Custom branding options Seamless Payment Processing Advanced payment processing turns registration into a revenue engine. Modern event management software customer experience tools handle multiple payment methods smoothly while maintaining bank-grade security. For international events, supporting local payment methods can boost registration rates by 40%. Automated payment management saves time and reduces errors. The best registration platforms handle refunds automatically while maintaining detailed transaction records. They also generate professional invoices for corporate registrants instantly. Essential Payment Features: Multi-payment method support Automated refund handling Corporate invoice generation International payment options Real-time transaction reports Efficient Attendee Management Smart attendee management scales your events effortlessly. The best event registration softwares provide self-service portals where attendees can update their own information, reducing administrative time by 75%. Automated waitlist management instantly notifies and registers next-in-line attendees when spots become available. Corporate event registration and tradeshows become seamless with group management tools. Enable one person to...
Selling Event Tickets Online: Conversion Secrets from Top Organizers
-
by
Most event organizers wait for people to buy tickets, then panic when sales are low a week before the event. Sound familiar? In 2025, the smartest organizers aren't just hoping for sales – they're using specific strategies to sell event tickets online and fill seats early. The Three Windows That Matter Forget posting your event everywhere and hoping for sales. There are three specific times when people actually buy tickets: Tuesday lunch hour (12-2PM): When companies book team events. Corporate buyers convert at 34% during this window vs. 12% other times. After work (6-8PM): When friends plan nights out. Group purchases spike 3x during these hours. Sunday afternoon (2-5PM): When families plan their weekends. Family event tickets sell 4x faster during this window. Time your promotions for these windows, and you'll sell more tickets than blasting social media all day. Each window needs different messaging and payment options to maximize sales. Price Points That Actually Sells Event Tickets Online Stop copying other events' prices. Think of your pricing like a good menu - clear options without overwhelming choice. With ticketing made simple, sell tickets online with ease to streamline your sales strategy, making it easy to manage various ticket types. Start with early access tickets at a modest discount to reward your eager fans and build momentum. Your regular admission price sets the baseline. VIP tickets at premium prices create an exclusive tier that makes standard tickets feel more accessible. Add group rates for six or more to encourage larger parties. Resist the temptation to create complex tiers - they confuse buyers and actually hurt sales. Here's the pricing structure that consistently converts: Early access tickets at 15% off regular price (converts 28% of early viewers) Regular admission at your target price (baseline for comparison) VIP tickets at double your...