The Tech Behind Online Raffles
Technology has changed the way we do virtually everything. From how we work to how we entertain ourselves, there’s a digital platform for virtually everything, and this shows no signs of stopping. One of the ways that technology has changed our lives is in the world of raffles.
Raffles have existed in some form for centuries, but now, online raffles are becoming more popular for non-profit organizations, schools, lottery systems, and so on. But how exactly do online raffles work? Anyone looking to participate in or organize one should be aware, and in this article, we’ll delve into it.
What Are Online Raffles?
Online raffles are exactly what the name would imply. They are raffles that, rather than involving paper tickets, can be played online. Instead of interested parties buying physical tickets and waiting for the announcement of the winners, they can pay for entry via a website and be notified virtually when a winner is chosen. Online raffles have become especially popular in the last few years for a myriad of reasons.
First, they are very convenient. A paper raffle would require you to physically go somewhere to buy it, or happen to come across it. This means that you’re limited to the raffles that are within your physical location. An online raffle, however, can be entered from anywhere in the world, and this makes it convenient for participants. Raffle organizers also enjoy a lot of convenience as they can see in real time how many people have purchased the ticket and how much the raffle has brought in. Online raffle sites also make it easier to pick winners, as we’ll explain later in this article. All these benefits and more mean that online raffles will continue to be popular. But how exactly does the technology behind them work?
Online Raffle Tech
Multiple systems are running simultaneously to make an online raffle possible. First, there is the creation of the raffle itself. Using sites like realraffle.com, players and providers alike can learn more about individual raffle projects. For instance, within the creation process, providers can specify how many tickets for the raffle should be created, the prize to be won, the price for each ticket, and so on. When the raffle goes live, the link to purchase can be shared virtually, and anyone who clicks it can purchase as many tickets as they want and are allowed to. As people purchase tickets, the raffle platform monitors how many have been bought, and once it is out of the specified number of virtual tickets, it will stop selling.
Even after the raffle has sold out, the platform can also pick a winner. One of the concerns players have about raffles is that they are rigged or the winner has been chosen ahead of time. An online raffle system can eliminate this doubt as the system will choose a winner completely at random.
After a winner is chosen, players can be notified via email and other digital platforms, and this removes a lot of responsibility on the part of the organizers.
Important Features For A Raffle Platform
With the benefits of online raffles and an overview of the tech process completed, many organizers might wonder what to look out for in their raffle platform. Ideally, you should have the following features:
Customizable Raffles
In the same way you might launch a social Media campaign or create an RSVP system for a party, your online raffling platform should allow for customization. You should, for example, be able to specify 100 tickets for one raffle and 250 for another. You should also be able to specify the prizes, set limits on how many tickets a single person can buy, and so on. This is especially true if you plan to run multiple raffles or have very specific rules you want to enforce. A site with limited customization should probably be avoided, as it will not meet your needs.
Flexible Payment Options
Because you’ll be selling raffle tickets online, you’ll need to have a variety of accepted payment methods. Some people want to pay with debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, and so on. Ideally, you want a raffle platform that will accommodate all of these.
Easy Sharing
Getting people to participate in an online raffle will require you to share the link to buy tickets. Ideally, you want a site that will give you easy and shareable links, ideally with social media integration. With this, more people will see your raffle, and more people can participate.
Conclusion
Online raffles have become a major phenomenon in the 21st Century as they take a tried and trusted activity and make it easier for everyone. In this article, we’ve touched on the features to look out for in these online raffle platforms, and hopefully, this will guide you on your way.
