Bytsolv

Tickets Platform: Graphical Seats

Enhancing User Experience in Ticket Purchase Using Graphical Seats Mapping

Ejas Muhammed

Ejas Muhammed

Founder & CEO

Overview

In our daily lives, ticket booking has become exceptionally vital. We come across a variety of seat selection options, from simple drop-down menus to immersive 3D experiences. This case study is the outcome of our research into how different platforms manage these choices.

In this study, we'll look at how seats are mapped and how it influences the user experience and platform success. Our goal is to help you understand the different methods used by various platforms.

Evolution of Ticketing Solutions

Ticketing systems have evolved significantly. Initially, it was a bit like rolling the dice, where you didn't get specific seats, just luck of the draw. Then, basic dropdown menus were introduced, functional but not extremely user-friendly. Later, platforms began displaying venue layouts visually. Today, we are in a technologically advanced age where ticketing platforms employ impressive tools like SVG maps that adjust to your device's screen size and 3D simulations for a virtual venue tour.

Looking ahead, we're moving towards the use of augmented and virtual reality. Just imagine being able to virtually explore a venue before you decide to buy a ticket – it's like giving it a test run. In the future, you can expect more personalized experiences. Ticketing platforms might suggest seats that fit your preferences or where you've enjoyed sitting before. Additionally, there's a growing trend of adding interactive features, so you can customize your whole event experience. The main aim is to make buying tickets easier, whether you're using a computer or your phone. Ticketing is becoming more personalized and focused on creating a special experience.

Key Findings

  • People have different seat preferences based on the type of the event they’re booking for. What works for a small concert might not be suitable for a large venue.

  • The lack of proper visualization to the seating arrangement can be a problem for customers. It affects their satisfaction and can even influence their decision to buy tickets.

  • Some ticketing platforms are stepping up their game by using technology like 3D seat views and interactive previews to help customers understand their seating choices better.

  • Successful platforms allow users to pick seats based on their own preferences, making the whole seat selection process smoother and more tailored.

  • Customers prefer platforms that provide real-time data, so they can make well-considered decisions. Whether a seat is taken or becomes available, immediate updates can significantly influence their choices. Real-time seat updates are vital for keeping customers satisfied and engaged with ticketing platforms.

Challenges

  • Many platforms use templates for seat selection that often don't align with the varied layouts of event venues. Moving away from this static model is a significant challenge in providing flexible seating options.
  • The issue of clear and complete visual seat representations persists. Many platforms struggle to bridge this gap, leaving customers uncertain when choosing seats, especially in larger venues with multiple options.
  • Achieving the right balance between providing detailed venue layouts and keeping a user-friendly interface is an ongoing challenge. It's not simple to manage the complexities of dynamic seating while ensuring simplicity for users.
  • Ensuring that venue layouts look the same on different devices is a persistent challenge. Providing a smooth experience, regardless of the device used, is a high priority.

Exploring different Venue Mapping Solutions

Based on our research aiming to find an efficient and user-friendly approach to ticket booking, we've compiled some solutions to offer actionable insights for venue-based ticketing.

1. SVG-Based Venue Mapping

Source

Imagine a ticketing experience where venue maps adapt to your device smoothly. This happens through Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG). With SVG, ticketing platforms can create maps that respond to your actions, letting you zoom, navigate, and pick seats. It's like having a personalized map that adjusts to your preferences and the device you're using.

In simpler terms, Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is a web-based format for graphics that can change in size without losing quality. This makes it perfect for creating flexible venue maps in ticketing. Whether you're on a computer, tablet, or phone, SVG adapts to your screen. You can zoom in for details or out for an overview, and everything stays clear. It's a user-friendly way to explore the venue. Plus, SVG lets you pick seats and areas on your screen, making the ticketing process smooth and engaging. Essentially, SVG helps ticketing platforms provide a user-focused experience with adaptable and interactive venue maps that work well on different devices.

2. GIS-Based Mapping

Source: this is how seatgeek uses GIS in their venue mapping stack

With Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, venue mapping takes a big step forward. By using GIS data, ticketing platforms offer more than just seat locations; they give you a detailed view of the surroundings. It's like a map that goes beyond the venue itself, showing you the whole environment. You not only know where your seat is but also get a sense of what's nearby.

To explain further, GIS technology deals with spatial data, meaning it provides info about where things are and what they're like. In the context of ticketing platforms, it involves adding detailed geographical information about the venue and its surroundings. This could include nearby landmarks, streets, parking areas, and interesting places. This data smoothly fits into the venue map, creating maps that offer more than just seat locations. You can explore the area around the venue, which makes you understand the surroundings better. This makes the ticketing system more advanced, and it adds to your event experience, making it more enjoyable and informative.

3. CAD-Based Mapping

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When it comes to venue layouts, precision and accuracy are essential. Computer-aided design (CAD) technology excels in providing just that. CAD enables the creation of highly detailed and precise venue maps. By integrating CAD files, ticketing platforms guarantee that the virtual representation matches the actual layout of the venue. It's like having a digital twin of the venue, ensuring users get an exact preview of what to expect.

CAD technology uses specialized software to create highly detailed and precisely scaled venue maps. These maps are like digital blueprints that capture every element of the venue, from seating arrangements to entrances and exits. When integrated into ticketing platforms, these CAD maps provide users with a virtual venue representation that's not only visually accurate but also proportional to the real venue. This precision ensures that users can rely on these maps for seat selection and navigating the venue, enhancing their confidence in their ticket choices.

4. 3D-Based Venue Visualization

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3D venue visualization is like a virtual journey into the future. It brings venues to life in a virtual space, letting you explore a detailed 3D layout of the venue and see where your seat is. It's like taking a virtual tour, making choosing a seat both informative and visually captivating.

3D venue visualization uses advanced computer graphics and modeling, building a digital replica of the venue with 3D representations of seats, aisles, and stages. Specially designed software makes this virtual world look real. This technology elevates ticketing by letting you explore the virtual venue, zoom in for detailed views, and even see the view from different seats. It's not just about picking a seat; it's about giving users a full preview of their event experience, changing how users work with venue layouts and visually appealing.

5. Mapbox-GL Based Approach

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Mapbox-GL brings you interactive and customizable maps. It's all about using the Mapbox-GL library to create user-friendly and visually appealing maps. Ticketing platforms can use it to give users maps that display seat locations, allow easy zooming and panning, and even add custom elements.

Mapbox-GL is a powerful tool for creating interactive maps. It works well with large datasets, ensuring smooth map rendering. When used in ticketing platforms, it lets users interact with venue maps easily. You can zoom in, pan around, and even add custom elements. Ticketing platforms can customize these maps to match their style. Mapbox-GL processes spatial data for interactive maps, making seat selection engaging. In short, it enhances ticketing by improving the user interface and making seat selection easy.

Conclusion

In summary, ticketing platforms have come a long way with advanced venue mapping solutions. These improvements aim to make ticket purchasing more enjoyable and convenient for users by offering clear seat visuals, real-time data, and the ability to pick seats based on personal preferences. Looking ahead, we can expect even more exciting developments, including augmented and virtual reality, to enhance the ticketing experience further. The future of ticketing platforms is bright, focusing on user satisfaction and convenience.

References