Still Using Google Registration Forms for Your Events?

Google Forms works just fine for event registration.  

They’re totally free, easy to use, and can be fully customised. But… a lot has happened in event technology since Google Forms were launched.

At Eventbrite, we’ve had the pleasure of working with event organisers from all around the world to improve their end-to-end event management — so we understand your need to keep event registration simple.

That’s why we created a step-by-step breakdown of how to set up Google Forms event registration and provided you with a simpler, more user-friendly event registration option tailor-made for event organisers. 

Step-by-step guide: How to use Google Forms for event registration 

Google Forms is a great launch pad for event organisers. 

The event registration Google Form template allows you to add basic information, such as ‘dietary restrictions.’ The platform is also quick, easy, and highly customisable, making it ideal for smaller, more informal events. 

For event organisers who want to host events just for fun, Google Forms is a great option for collecting RSVPs without needing to track data or analyse results in detail. You can create a customised form with specific questions and personalised details to get the information you need for potential attendees.  

We’ve created a complete guide that includes every step in setting up Google Forms for events, which you can download above. Here are the basic steps you need to follow.  

Create the form

Once you’ve selected the right template:

• Add questions on the Untitled Question section of the box
• Choose from multiple choice, checkboxes, drop-down questions, and more
• Click Duplicate to add more questions

Customise the form

Refer to the downloadable template for a breakdown of the steps.

• Choose from Google Images or upload an image from your device
• Customise the Google Form’s theme using the Paint symbol

Experiment with the background colour, font, and text size, and choose a cover image.

Test the form

Checking the Google Form’s preview is essential for checking any errors.

• Click on Preview 

• Fill in the form as if you’re an attendee
• Click Submit

Check that the data and your response are accurately recorded. 

Distribute the form

Google Forms allows you to collect email addresses manually.

• Send the form to potential attendees by adding their email addresses, receiving a copy of the link, or embedding the HTML

• Share the form online using the Twitter or Facebook icon

Refer to the downloadable template above for detailed steps on collecting email addresses.

Is Google Forms really the best option for event registration? 

While Google Forms is an outstanding option for simple tasks, like gathering customer satisfaction surveys, it’s not built with event organisers in mind. 

Here are some features that Google Forms doesn’t offer:

• Integration with popular marketing tools, such as Mailchimp 
• Attendee check-in 
• Advanced reporting and analytics 
• Secure payment processing 

For event organisers, using event registration software made specifically to help convert event leads into attendees may be a more profitable and efficient option — especially if you’re looking to grow your events and sell more tickets. 

Secure payment processing 

One of the most notable limitations of Google Forms is that it doesn’t process payments, so you have to find other workarounds and process them manually.

As your event grows, not having an embedded and secure payment processing system is likely to become increasingly time-consuming and open you up to costly mistakes, especially when it comes to more complicated payment methods, such as cross-checking bank deposits and discount codes.  

The alternative is to use an event registration software, like Eventbrite, that offers embedded checkouts on your event registration page and your website and social media pages, like Facebook and Instagram.

For example, Aboutlastnight creates event registration forms on Eventbrite that match their brand’s vibe, collect attendee information, and send automatic email notifications while also giving attendees the option to pay without being redirected or having to complete a separate payment form.

This helps them streamline their registration process and increase ticket sales. It also gives attendees the peace of mind of knowing they’re paying on a secure site that is a PCI-compliant provider. 

Data and reporting 

Data allows you to understand an event’s success, but if you don’t have access to information or patterns on attendee registration behaviour, it’s difficult to make informed decisions for the future and increase ticket sales. 

While Google Forms is a simple and easy-to-use tool for collecting basic information, it lacks data and reporting capabilities. 

On the other hand, Eventbrite offers real-time data reports that highlight things such as attendance trends, where your registration traffic is coming from, which is converting the best, and what marketing channels are most effective. 

For example, you can use Eventbrite’s registration software to collect attendee sign-up information, track what time most ticket sales occur, and assess the optimal number of questions to ask attendees to improve your registration forms for future events. 

Why event management software gives you more bang for your buck 

Google Forms for event registration is convenient for those looking to quickly collect RSVPs, and it’s free and simple to use. But event registration software can offer more advanced features and additional benefits that are simply not available in more basic software, like Google Forms. 

Customisable landing page

For more advanced event organisers, using Google Forms for registration is a bit like using Word for a Michelin-star menu; it gets the message across but looks amateurish. 

You need a professional-looking landing page that convinces attendees that you’re the real deal.

With Eventbrite, you can: 

• Use your event listing as a customisable landing page 
• Create an event page that event go-ers can follow and receive notifications
• Stack events together to display different ‘collections’ 

Plus, you can use Eventbrite’s customisable landing page as an event website — so it’s a win-win! 

Marketing tools

One of the major benefits of using an event management platform like Eventbrite has nothing to do with registration and everything to do with marketing. 

With Eventbrite, you can: 

• A/B test Facebook and Instagram ads to find out which ones convert potential attendees into ticket buyers 
• Build tracking links to see where you’re gaining or losing buyers in your event registration process 
• Use artificial intelligence (AI) to write compelling copy for your email and social media marketing 

Unlike event registration software, if you want to send an email to your mailing list announcing registration or other details of your event when using Google Forms, you have to use your own inbox or sign up for another third-party email service.

A Google RSVP form doesn’t integrate with Facebook either, so you have to manage your efforts on the social platform separately.

Find out if Google Forms is the right choice for you 

We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again: Google Forms works just fine for event registration. 

However, it’s limited.

If you’re looking to streamline your event registration process, utilise payment processing systems like embedded checkouts, gather valuable data and insights, and market your events effectively, then an event registration tool like Eventbrite might be a better solution.