In the world of online ticket buying, Ticketmaster is one of the biggest players. With exclusive partnerships with many major venues and artists, Ticketmaster sells a large percentage of tickets for concerts, sports games, theater shows, and other events. In an increasingly digital world, many users wonder if the Ticketmaster app provides a better experience for purchasing tickets than the desktop website. There are pros and cons to both the app and website, but overall, the Ticketmaster app does provide some advantages for many users.
Buying Tickets on Desktop vs Mobile
According to a 2021 Ticketmaster user survey, approximately 65% of ticket purchases were made on mobile devices, while 35% were made on desktop. This breakdown has shifted over the past several years as mobile usage has grown. In 2016, Ticketmaster reported a 50/50 split between mobile and desktop purchases. So the trend is clearly moving towards mobile, with the majority of users now preferring to buy tickets on their smartphones.
There are likely several reasons contributing to the growth of mobile ticket buying:
- Smartphone ownership and mobile internet access have increased significantly, making mobile devices the go-to for many daily tasks
- Apps provide a fast, streamlined experience optimized for mobile screens
- Mobile allows users to purchase tickets anytime, anywhere if they have an internet connection
- Alert notifications can remind users of upcoming sales or hot tickets
- Stored payment and user info makes repeat purchases quick and easy on mobile
While desktop access remains important to serve all users, it’s clear that mobile is becoming the preferred platform for many Ticketmaster customers when purchasing tickets.
Advantages of Buying Tickets on Mobile
Buying tickets through the Ticketmaster mobile app provides several key advantages:
- Convenience – The app allows you to buy tickets anywhere, anytime. You don’t need to be sitting at your computer.
- Speed – The Ticketmaster app is optimized for quick ticket purchases with features like Face ID login and stored payment methods.
- Alerts – Enable notifications so you never miss when tickets go on sale or hit low prices.
- Organization – Access all your tickets in one place and easily transfer them to friends.
- New Features – Mobile apps frequently add new features and updates.
Disadvantages of Buying Tickets on Mobile
There are also a few potential disadvantages to purchasing tickets on mobile:
- Smaller screens make it harder to navigate and enter detailed info
- Technical issues like a dropped internet connection
- Harder to compare multiple browser tabs/windows
- Entering complex ticket requests may be easier on desktop
Key Ticketmaster Mobile App Features
Ticketmaster’s mobile app includes a variety of features aimed at creating a seamless ticket buying and managing experience:
Streamlined Purchasing
The app allows you to store your payment info and login credentials so you can breeze through checkout in just a few taps. Face ID or fingerprint login is also available for an extra level of convenience.
Event Discovery
Browse upcoming events and get personalized recommendations based on your interests and location. Search by artist, team, or venue to see what events are coming up.
Interactive Seating Charts
When purchasing tickets, you can view interactive seat maps to select your exact seats. Zoom in and tap to see the view from different seats.
Real-Time Alerts
Opt-in to get alerts when an upcoming event goes on sale or hits a price drop. This ensures you never miss out on hot tickets.
Barcode Tickets
Access your tickets directly in the app – no need to print them out. The rotating barcode can be scanned directly from your phone screen for easy entry.
Ticket Transfer
Ticketmaster allows you to easily transfer tickets to friends and family right from the app. Enter their info and tickets are securely delivered.
Comparing the Ticketmaster App and Desktop Experience
While the Ticketmaster app provides some advantages, the desktop website still offers certain benefits depending on user needs. Here is a detailed comparison of some key factors:
Factor | Ticketmaster App | Ticketmaster Desktop |
---|---|---|
Purchasing speed | Very fast – can enable Face/Touch ID and stored payment info | Slower – need to manually enter info each time |
Convenience | Buy from anywhere, simply open app | Need computer access to make purchases |
Ease of navigation | Optimized mobile interface with bottom navbar | More open screen space on desktop |
Entering detailed requests | More difficult on smaller screens | Easier with full keyboard and screen space |
Viewing ticket info | Interactive seat maps optimized for mobile | Wider view of seat info on desktop |
Price comparison | Can only view one event at a time | Easier to compare multiple tabs/windows |
In summary, the Ticketmaster mobile app offers unmatched convenience through features like rapid purchase options, alerts when preferred tickets become available, and access to tickets right from your device. However, desktop still has benefits for complex ticket requests or when you need to compare multiple events side-by-side.
Tips for Using the Ticketmaster App
To get the best experience using the Ticketmaster app for purchasing tickets, keep these tips in mind:
Enable Notifications
Go into settings and turn on notifications so you get alerts when tickets you want become available. This gives you a head start on purchasing.
Save Your Info
Take the time to store your payment details, login info, and mailing preferences. This makes the checkout process extremely quick.
Create an Account
Having an account lets you access all your ticket info in one place, enables notifications, and speeds up future purchases.
Know When Tickets Go On Sale
Sign up for Ticketmaster emails and follow your favorite venues/acts on social media to know when coveted tickets will become available.
Understand Ticket Options
Ticketmaster offers various types like VIP, presales, general admission, military discounts, etc. Know what you want before tickets go on sale.
Have a Backup Plan
For extremely popular events, have a second device handy in case your first purchase attempt fails so you can try again immediately.
Troubleshooting Ticketmaster App Issues
While the Ticketmaster app generally works well, you may occasionally encounter technical issues. Here is some troubleshooting advice for common problems:
Can’t Login
- Reset your password if you have forgotten it
- Make sure you have an internet connection
- Reinstall the app if still unable to login
Payment Isn’t Working
- Double check credit card info is correct
- Try a different card or payment method
- Contact bank to make sure they allow online ticket purchases
Tickets Can’t Be Found
- Double check the event name, date, and location
- Try broadening your search parameters
- Verify the event isn’t sold out
Getting Error Messages
- Restart the app and try again
- Update the app if an update is available
- Contact Ticketmaster Support with error details
Notifications Aren’t Working
- Check notification settings are enabled for the Ticketmaster app
- Make sure Ticketmaster has permission to send notifications
- Try reinstalling the app
Conclusion
The Ticketmaster app delivers clear advantages in convenience, speed, and mobility for ticket purchases. Key features like rapid checkout, interactive seating charts, ticket transfer options, and real-time alerts provide an optimized mobile experience. While the desktop website is still better suited for complex searches and order requests, the app meets most users’ needs for simple ticket purchases.
Following tips like enabling notifications, storing your information, and understanding ticket sale timelines can lead to the best results. And if any issues arise, there are troubleshooting steps like resetting payment methods, reinstalling the app, and contacting support that can get you back up and running.
Overall, the Ticketmaster app does appear to work better than desktop for most real-world ticket buying scenarios. As mobile continues to grow as the dominant platform for many daily online tasks, leveraging the Ticketmaster app provides significant advantages for efficiently purchasing tickets on the go.