How to Create an Event Registration Page in WordPress (Step-by-Step Guide)

Building your own event registration page in WordPress allows you to fully control the signup process, customize the look and feel, and keep all attendee data on your website.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to create a custom WordPress registration form, sell tickets seamlessly, and maximize monetization.

Why Use WordPress for Event Registration

Here are the key reasons why creating your own registration page beats using third-party services:

Full control and customization

With WordPress event plugins, you can completely customize registration fields, landing pages, emails, and more to match your brand.

Ownership of data and contacts

Attendee information stays within your website database unlike third-party tools. This allows you to re-engage attendees for future events.

Cost savings

By handling payments directly you avoid the processing fees charged by Eventbrite, Ticketmaster and others. Those add up quickly, eating into your margins.

According to a BrightTalk report, 52% of event organizers say pricing and fees are their biggest third-party challenge.

Seamless user experience

You can embed registration forms natively within existing pages on your WordPress site for a streamlined signup flow. No disruptive redirects.

Powerful marketing and promotions

Leverage email lists, social media, and your own branding across the site to drive registrations. No restrictions like with Eventbrite.

Now that you know the benefits, let‘s see how to actually create an event registration page with WordPress.

Step 1: Install a WordPress Event Registration Plugin

At the core, you need a WordPress plugin that provides registration and ticketing functionality. This will handle:

✅ Building registration forms
✅ Collecting RSVPs
✅ Selling tickets with prices
✅ Taking payments
✅ Managing attendee information

There are several great event plugins available:

• WPFORMS
• EventON
• Events Calendar
• Event Espresso
• TC Event Manager
• Event Tickets

We recommend WPForms for beginners as it delivers all core event features while being simple and user-friendly.

The great thing with WordPress is the plugins are interchangeable. So you can always switch as organizational needs evolve.

To install WPForms:

1. Get the WPForms plugin
2. Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard
3. Search for WPForms, install, and activate it
4. You’ll now see WPForms on your WP admin menu

Later we’ll discuss premium addons that add more advanced event functionality.

Step 2: Configure Payments Processing

Selling tickets and registrations is how you monetize events.

WPForms simplifies adding payments by integrating directly with top payment gateways like:

• PayPal
• Stripe
• Authorize.net

Under five minutes you can connect Stripe or PayPal to accept credit cards on registrations.

Here is how to set up Stripe payments:

1. Install the WPForms Stripe addon
2. Go to WPForms > Addons and activate the Stripe addon
3. Head to WPForms > Settings > Payments tab
4. Toggle on Stripe, click Connect Account and follow prompts

Stripe will ask to connect your existing account or create a new one.

And that’s it! WPForms handles everything seamlessly in the background. Now let’s build the registration form.

Step 3: Create Your Event Registration Form

With payments set up, we can easily build a custom registration form using the WPForms drag-and-drop form builder.

Some events are free with optional donations. But usually you‘ll want to collect ticket payments within the form.

Here is an example conference registration form with ticket selection and Stripe credit card fields:

Let’s break down what’s included:

✅ Event name, tagline and details
✅ Ticket type and quantity selector
✅ Stripe credit card payment fields
✅ Name, email and other standard fields
✅ Registration button

WPForms templates provide a starting point. You can click to edit or delete any field.

Some additional fields you may want:

• Company/Organization
• T-shirt size
• Breakout session selection
• Accommodation/Travel needs
• Coupon code
• Volunteer interest
• Add to mailing list consent

Plan carefully as changing the form later means updating your pages.

Step 4: Customize Confirmations, Emails and Redirects

Deliver a smooth user experience by configuring what happens after registration completes.

Here are key post-submission options to set up:

√ Confirmation message

Thank your registrant on the page or redirect elsewhere

√ Email ticket/receipt to attendees

Share event details, barcode ticket, payment receipt

√ Organizer notification

Alert your team about new registrations

√ Redirect to a specific URL

Send users to your site post registration

You can configure this under WPForms > Forms > {Your Form} > Settings > Confirmations

It’s also worth reviewing default Notifications and customizing confirmation messages.

Now your event registration form is ready to embed!

Step 5: Embed Registration Form on Your WordPress Site

WPForms supports various ways to embed your registration form on pages:

• Add form using the drag and drop page builder
• Use the WPForms block in the page editor
• Embed via shortcode
• Show as a popup
• Dedicated form landing page

We’ll focus on the last two options.

Create a Custom Registration Landing Page

For an immersive experience, use a distraction-free form landing page. This also lets you add branding, testimonials etc to sell your event.

In WPForms, open form settings and turn on Form Pages:

You can completely customize the page design:

See the final landing page result below:

The benefit over third-parties is you directly control styling, messaging and the URL.

Embed Form Directly On Existing Pages

Alternatively, you can natively embed the form on related pages:

• Click WPForms > Get Shortcode
• Copy and paste the shortcode onto any page
• Renders the registration form seamlessly

This helps registration feel like a natural part of your website. Visitors can access all event info and sign up in one place.

No external redirects or competing branding.

Advanced Options for Enhancing Your Event Page

The basics will get your registration system up and running. But here are some extra tips for taking it to the next level.

Collect Payments in Multiple Currencies

By default WPForms supports US Dollars ($) for payments.

Installing the Stripe Multi-Currency addon allows you to accept payments worldwide.

Attendees from Europe, UK, Canada, Australia etc can pay in their local currency like Euros and Pounds.

Create An Event Directory Page

Consider adding an events page that lists all your upcoming events.

Visitors can browse and immediately register for anything relevant using in-page forms.

The Event List addon for WPForms handles this automatically including filters, search etc.

Add Scheduling and Recurring Events

Managing one-off events is straightforward. But for repeating events use a dedicated scheduling tool.

The WPForms Scheduler addon makes managing weekly, monthly or annual events a breeze.

Registrants can even sign up for a whole series with a single form.

It also handles waiting lists, reminders, import/export and more.

Integrate With Email and Payment Marketing Tools

Grow your reach and sales for events by connecting these tools:

• Email marketing: ConvertKit, MailChimp, Constant Contact
• Webinar software: Zoom, GoToWebinar
• CRM / Sales: ActiveCampaign, HubSpot

Addon integrations make syncing registrant data easy.

Compare Popular Event Plugins

While WPForms is our recommended starting point for beginners, many other plugins are available.

Here is a comparison of notable options:

We‘ve covered step-by-step how to create a custom event registration page in WordPress complete with payments and design options.

What questions do you have about setting up registrations for your next event? Let me know in the comments section below.