Ticketing Software for Aquariums: A Complete Buyer’s Guide

When your team members came to work for your aquarium, they probably did so to care for aquatic animals, create memorable experiences for visitors, and promote a mission of ocean conservation. They didn’t take the job looking forward to administrative tasks like managing admissions, which is why investing in the right software makes life significantly easier for supporters and employees alike.

Since ticket sales are a key revenue stream for many aquariums, this guide will help you choose the best ticketing platform for your organization. We’ll cover:

• Why do aquariums need specialized ticketing software?
• Features to Look for in Aquarium Ticketing Software
• A Closer Look at Doubleknot’s Ticketing Software for Aquariums

Keep in mind that some ticketing solutions are sold as standalone platforms, while others are part of integrated management systems that also support merchandise sales, memberships, fundraising, event planning, and other functions. Plus, some aquarium ticketing software also works for other admissions-based nonprofits (e.g., zoos, museums, or nature centers), so don’t count solutions made for those organizations out during your search. That being said, let’s dive in!

Why do aquariums need specialized ticketing software?

Keeping employees happy while boosting their productivity is just one of the many benefits your aquarium can experience if you invest in a ticketing solution. Other key advantages include:

• Improving visitor experiences by making a good first impression with a convenient, frictionless admissions process.
• Boosting revenue generation—not only by selling more tickets, but also by encouraging more add-on purchases, donations, and membership signups.
• Saving administrative time and effort with streamlined data collection and reporting capabilities.
• Making informed decisions after analyzing the accurate data and comprehensive reports from the system to improve all aspects of admissions.

Naturally, you’ll maximize these benefits by selecting a user-friendly, secure, customizable, and cost-effective solution that has all of the features your aquarium needs to manage its processes.

Features to Look for in Aquarium Ticketing Software

While every aquarium may have slightly different ticketing processes that make some software capabilities more important than others, there are a few basic features you should look for no matter what, which we’ll explore in more detail. As you start shopping for a new solution for your organization, use the checklist below to ensure it has those key features plus the additional characteristics mentioned above.

Online & Mobile Ticket Sales

Digital admissions are no longer optional—visitors to your aquarium now expect to be able to buy their tickets online, in advance, and on their favorite device. The data on this cultural shift speaks for itself:

• 90% of visitors to cultural organizations and other attractions prefer online booking over in-person admissions.
• 72% of attraction guests say that a high-quality digital experience increases their trust in an organization’s brand.
• 88% of digital admission bookings happen via mobile devices.

To align with visitor expectations, your ticketing software should:

• Support and unify online and offline admissions (after all, you don’t want to alienate the 10% of visitors who still like to buy tickets in person!)
• Have a mobile-responsive design so it’s easy to navigate on a smartphone or tablet
• Accept various payment methods, including bank account transfers, all major credit cards, and digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay (which are used in about a quarter of mobile bookings)
• Email tickets to supporters that can be scanned within the message on a smartphone or saved to a digital wallet so they don’t have to be printed

It’s especially convenient if your solution also allows staff members to scan tickets using mobile devices so they can check visitors in efficiently.

Unified Promotions & Admissions

Supporters who purchase tickets online also want the admissions process to be easily accessible from your primary website. Ensure you can either embed ticketing directly into your site or link to the ticket landing page throughout other key webpages using noticeable call-to-action buttons. 

If your ticketing page is hosted separately from your main website, it should still feature your aquarium’s branding (logo, colors, tagline, etc.) to visually unify the admissions experience. When promoting ticket sales across other platforms (e.g., email, social media, or flyers), use the same branding and include a link or QR code to the admissions page.

Streamlined Capacity Management

Although timed ticketing first gained popularity as a way for admissions-based nonprofits to comply with regulations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, it continues to be a valuable strategy for minimizing wait times and preventing facility overcrowding. The latter issue is especially important to consider if you host field trips, birthday parties, or other large groups that visit your aquarium at specific times.

Your ticketing software should allow you not only to leverage timed ticketing, but also to adjust the maximum number of tickets that can be purchased while you have groups in the building. It’s also helpful if your solution includes or integrates with tools for coordinating different logistical aspects of group visits (scheduling, creating payment plans, etc.).

Revenue Flexibility

The best ticketing software for aquariums doesn’t just allow you to collect revenue—it also helps you maximize your earning potential from admissions. Ensure your solution supports tiered pricing for different visitor demographics (adults, children, seniors, college students, members, etc.) and allows you to offer promotional discounts or adjust rates for peak and non-peak times. This flexibility makes it easier to attract more visitors and ultimately boost revenue generation.

Your ticketing platform should also support upselling and cross-sales. After a supporter selects their visit date and number of guests, allow them to complete additional actions before they check out, such as:

• Purchasing a ticket to a special exhibition or same-day event that costs extra
• Buying merchandise from your gift shop
• Making an add-on donation
• Joining your membership program

When visitors can complete all of these actions at once, they’re more likely to do so, allowing you to increase revenue from multiple earned income and fundraising streams.

CRM Integrations

Your ticketing software should include its own reporting and analytics features that help your aquarium streamline and improve operations. However, when you integrate your ticketing platform with your organization’s constituent relationship management (CRM) system, you’ll have complete, accurate data about every customer transaction and interaction in one place. Plus, you won’t have to enter ticketing information into your database manually, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.

With integrated aquarium ticketing and CRM solutions, supporter updates are automatically reflected in the individual profiles in your database. That way, it’s easier to create personalized communications and strategically engage visitors in your organization’s work because you’ll have a complete record of their interactions with your aquarium.

A Closer Look at Doubleknot’s Ticketing Software for Aquariums

If, after reviewing the general characteristics of ticketing software for aquariums, you’ve decided the best route for your organization is to invest in a platform that’s part of a unified management system, look no further than Doubleknot! Our solution is designed for all admissions-based nonprofits, including aquariums, and includes robust admissions features like:

• Timed ticketing, holistic capacity views, and waitlist management
• Group visit coordination
• Digital ticket issuing and scanning
• Custom pricing tiers and discounts
• Support for all types of upsells

Doubleknot’s system also comes with tools for memberships, fundraising, event planning, and point of sale (POS) functions. Plus, you can add on our Communications Suite and Online Store functionality if your aquarium needs it and integrate the system with many popular CRMs for streamlined data management and a holistic view of your supporters. With all of these features working together seamlessly, it’s no wonder that 95% of Doubleknot users renew their subscriptions year after year!

Wrapping Up: Additional Resources on Admissions-Based Nonprofit Management

Leveraging dedicated ticketing software allows your aquarium to boost revenue, improve visitor experiences, and give your team more time to focus on your organization’s mission rather than administrative responsibilities. Use the features in this guide as a starting point for your buying journey, and remember to consider Doubleknot if you’re looking for a unified ticketing and management solution to streamline all of your operations.

For more information on managing aquariums and other admissions-based nonprofits, check out these resources:

• How Your Org Can Navigate Challenges & Opportunities. Explore strategies for ensuring your aquarium thrives in the ever-changing landscape cultural organizations operate in.
• Building an Inclusive Museum Community: A Complete Guide. Learn how to make your organization a welcoming place for every segment of your visitor base.
• Zoo Management Software: Choosing a Solution + 8 Top Picks. Discover the best technology on the market for managing wildlife-focused admissions-based nonprofits.