Stress-Free Summit Launch Starts With Testing

You’ve spent months working hard on planning and organizing your virtual summit... lining up speakers, crafting the perfect summit topic, and building anticipation like a pro. Your audience is excited. Your page looks amazing. Your email sequence is locked and loaded.

But then someone messages you on Instagram: “Hey, I tried to register but the page won’t load…”

Cue the panic.

The truth is, you can have the most incredible virtual summit in the world—but if your registration process is clunky, confusing, or broken in any way, you’re going to lose people. And not just any people—excited, ready-to-sign-up, eager-to-attend people.

Double Test Your Registration Process

That’s why testing your summit registration process before you go live is non-negotiable.

I’ve learned this the hard way, and I promise: a simple broken link or mistagged automation can cost you dozens (or even hundreds) of attendees. But the good news? With the right process in place, you can avoid the chaos and feel confident that everything’s working exactly as it should.

Let’s walk through the full testing checklist—from free ticket registration to paid ticket upgrades and abandoned cart recovery—so you can launch without surprises, snags, or missed opportunities.

Why Testing is Non-Negotiable

Think of testing your registration as a dress rehearsal before the big performance. It allows you to:

• Identify and Squash Glitches: Spot any technical errors, broken links, or confusing instructions before they cause problems for real attendees.
• Smooth Out the User Experience: Ensure the registration flow is intuitive, user-friendly, and frictionless.
• Maximize Conversions: A smooth registration process leads to more sign-ups and a higher ROI for your summit.

Your Virtual Summit Registration Testing Checklist

1. Test Your Free Ticket Registration:
   This is your first chance to make a great impression! You don't want to squander it. Make sure registering for your free ticket is perfect. There is no room for hiccups, extra clicks, or long loading times. Make sure your free ticket registration process leads the user to the paid ticket upgrade option and provides the correct access. 

   • Create Test Accounts: Set up multiple email addresses (Gmail, Outlook, etc.) to simulate different users.
   • Click Every Link: Follow the entire registration path, from landing page to confirmation email.
   • Verify Data: Ensure the information collected is accurate and that any autoresponder emails are triggered correctly.
     • Did you get the welcome email? 
     • Were you tagged correctly? 
     • Are you provided access to the correct ticket? 
     • Is your access correct inside the ticket?

2. Test Your Paid Ticket Registration:
   Make sure you test your paid ticket checkout process on any and all sales pages to ensure the process is simple and straightforward. Depending on how you set up your event, this may include testing your Fast Action Offer, the Earlybird pricing page, the Regular pricing page, the Live Ticket Pricing page, and the post ticket pricing page. This is one part of the testing you really can't afford to get wrong. 

   • Use Test Payment Methods: Most payment processors offer sandbox environments to simulate transactions without actual charges.
   • Complete Checkout: Go through the entire purchase process, checking for any errors or unexpected fees.
   • Confirm Access: Verify that attendees receive the correct confirmation and access instructions for their paid ticket level.
     • Did you get the paid ticket welcome email? 
     • Were you tagged correctly? 
     • Were you upgraded to the paid ticket? 

3. Test Your Abandoned Cart Process:
   Naturally, you'll have some people who fall off in the checkout process. They get to your sales page, start the checkout process, and then get distracted or decide it's not the right time. Make sure they have an encouraging way to finish checking out and purchasing their tickets by using reminder emails. 

   • Initiate Abandonment: Start the registration process but leave it incomplete. Add the ticket to your cart, but don't actually pay for it. 
   • Monitor Emails: Check if your system sends automated reminder emails to encourage completion. Make sure the reminders are received, and proofread them. 
   • Test Recovery Links: Click on any recovery links in the emails to ensure they work correctly.

4. Test Your Free-to-Paid Upgrade Process:
   Not everyone upgrades immediately. So make sure that free ticket holders have a smooth upgrade process that doesn't feel clunky when they're ready to purchase your paid ticket. 

   • Register for a Free Ticket: Use a test account to sign up for the free level.
   • Initiate Upgrade: Follow the upgrade path from within the attendee dashboard or via email links.
   • Complete Checkout: Go through the payment process as you would for a regular paid ticket.
   • Verify Access: Confirm that attendees receive access to the upgraded content or features.
     • Did you get the paid ticket welcome email? 
     • Were you tagged correctly? 
     • Were you upgraded to the paid ticket? 

Pro Tips for a Smooth Registration Process

• Test on Different Devices: Ensure your registration works seamlessly on desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.
  • Get Feedback: Ask friends, colleagues, or beta testers to try registering and provide feedback on their experience. This is a great job for VA's, biz besties, and members of your family! 
• Monitor Analytics: Use your summit platform's analytics to track registration numbers, drop-off points, and conversion rates. Make small adjustments as needed to make sure you have the best conversions possible. 
• Prepare for Support: Have a plan in place to handle attendee questions or technical issues during registration. 

Your Summit Success Starts with Seamless Registration

A well-tested registration process is the foundation of a successful virtual summit. By following these steps and investing time in thorough testing, you'll create a smooth, enjoyable experience that sets the stage for an engaging and impactful event.