Online Registration - what it is and why you'd want it.
Online registration allows you to accept registration and payment. For races that I time, I would be more than happy to set up registration for you at no cost.
For online reg, I'll need:
Who - the organization to send the checks to (and pay to). This will probably be the same as the "Payable To" on your application.
I'll need to know what kind of questions you're asking on the app. Things such as "T-Shirt size", which race (Run or Walk - if applicable), and any other demographic information you'll be collecting. I'll set each up as a question for the entrants to answer so we can collect this information. If shirts carry an extra cost, I’ll need that as well.
When – when do we start, when does early reg end, and when do we stop taking registration. I recommend 2 days before packet pickup to give time to gather data for packets.
Coupon codes – a discount code can be set up for your use. You can publish it in a newsletter, email it to past participants, or just hand it out at will. ERC uses this for ERC members discounts to races.
We'll set it up so that every time someone registers, you get an email so you will have an idea about current status. You won't need to do anything with them - they're just for information.
After that, wait for the registrations to come in. (Realistically, from 5% to 50% of your apps would come in that way). A couple of days before the race, registration shuts down and we download the information to set up bibs.
Fees - This isn't free. The cost is $1.25 + 6% of the reg fee, so a $10 race is $1.85. This cost is either absorbed by the race or passed on to the entrant. For lower cost races, I would recommend passing the cost to the runners. For more expensive races, the race could absorb the cost. This is pretty standard, and the folks that are the type to register online are usually willing to pay it. You could (if you want to) absorb the cost so the runner wouldn't pay any more, but you would get a little less. For the hypothetical $10 race would net you $8.15.
If you are pressed for the cost - it helps to remember that postage, printing an app, an envelope, and their time are not free, either, and online registraton saves that expense. It also acts as quick verification that they are registered for the race.
Basic fee breakdown:
- $10 race - $1.85
- $20 race - $2.45
- $30 race - $3.05
When compared with postage, printing, envelopes, and check fees, online registration is about the same as paper for a $10 race, and is not terribly expensive for a more expensive race.