WordPress Events Registration with PayPal IPN
Event Listings and Registration Pages
This WordPress plugin provides a way to take online registrations for events such as conference and seminars that are held live. Events are managed quickly and easily from within the WordPress dashboard.
The plugin also uses the PayPal IPN to record payments to the built in WordPress database. It allows you to capture the registering persons contact information to the WordPress database as well as provides the ability to send the registrar to your PayPal payment site for online collection of event fees. PayPal payments are captured to the database using the PayPal Standard IPN.
Reporting features provide a list of events, list of attendees, and excel export.
Download Plugin | View Example (free version) | Upgrade to Pro Version | Support Forum | Comment
If you like this plugin, please consider making a small donation or clicking on a few of the ads displayed on the site.
Installation:
- After unzipping, upload everything in the ‘paypal-events-registration’ folder to your ‘/wp-content/plugins/’ directory (preserving directory structure).
- Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress.
- Go to the Event Registration Menu and Configure Organization and enter your company info – note you will need a PayPal id if you plan on accepting PayPal payments
- Go to the Event Setup and create a new event, make sure you select ‘make active’.
- Create a new page (not post) on your site. Put {EVENTREGIS} in it on a line by itself.
Note: if you are upgradings from a previous version please backup your data prior to upgrade.
If you have watched the video below and are having trouble installing the plugin or just need additional support. Please visit our “Premium Support” page or view the FAQ below.
Setting up the Plugin
Frequently Asked Questions:
To use, create a new page with only {EVENTREGIS}
To display list of attendees of an active event use {EVENTATTENDEES} on a page or post.
*For URL link back to the payment/thank you page use {EVENTREGPAY} on a new page.
*For PayPal to notify about payment confirmation use {EVENTPAYPALTXN} on a new page.
*This page should be hidden from from your navigation menu. Exclude pages by using the ‘Exclude Pages‘ plugin from http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/exclude-pages/ or using the ‘exclude’ parameter in your ‘wp_list_pages’ template tag. Please refer to http://codex.wordpress.org/Template_Tags/wp_list_pages for more information about excluding pages.
Email Confirmations:
For customized confirmation emails, the following tags can be placed in the email form and they will pull data from the database to include in the email.
[fname], [lname], [phone], [event],[description], [cost], [company], [co_add1], [co_add2], [co_city],[co_state], [co_zip],[contact], [payment_url], [start_date], [start_time], [end_date], [end_time]
Sample Mail Send:
***This is an automated response – Do Not Reply***
Thank you [fname] [lname] for registering for [event]. We hope that you will find this event both informative and enjoyable. Should have any questions, please contact [contact].
If you have not done so already, please submit your payment in the amount of [cost].
Click here to review your payment information [payment_url].
Thank You.
Attendees and Payments
Screenshot of Events Registration with IPN Pro using the Calendar (Pro Version)
Screenshot of some Event Setup Options (Pro Version)
Events and Payments
Attention:
If you haven’t noticed, the WordPress plugin “Events Registration with PayPal IPN” is no longer available for download on WordPress.org. We found some serious security issues within the plugin (mostly deprecated WordPress database functions) so we decided it best to go ahead and remove the plugin until security was improved.After a major overhaul of the back-end code we have re-released the plugin under a new name (Advanced Events Registration) and have also released a pro version of the plugin with many additional features.
It is highly recommended that you upgrade to the latest version of the Advanced Events Registration plugin ASAP.
When adding customize questions to the registration form I noticed that it does not record the answers when you “edit attendee”? Also, when creating customized questions for each event does the answers get passed down to the excel file when you export? I noticed that it did not when I export my list. I am using drop downs as questions.
Which version of the plugin are you using? I have recently updated it so the questions are exported.
Seth,
I am using 2.1.8
I noticed changing the customize question from “Drop Down” to “Single” the answers are actually recorded both in the admin and excel sheet, which solved my problem.
I do not know much as I should with PHP, but I tried taking a look at the event_regis.php. Found the case for “DROPDOWN”, and wasn’t sure if there was something missing on line 314?
Looks like a great plugin, but have one question…
I haven’t been able to figure out how to display a list of attendees for a single event? Is there a way to do it without modifying the code?
Just add the shortcode {EVENTATTENDEES} to a page or post.
Hi,
In both the old version and the new advanced (pro) version, PayPal payments are updating the quantity back to 1. I think I’ve resolved this by taking the “quantity” field out of the UPDATE statements in process_payments.php, but I’m concerned about whether this affects anything deeper with the IPN process.
Any advice is very appreciated.
I have added 2 events and both have different short code.
But when I paste the different short code on 2 different pages I only see the same event??
Will,
After going through your website, I have found several issues with your setup.
1. The events listing page wasn’t set up.
2. Both event pages had the same shortcode in them.
3. The payment pages were not set up.
4. The page that processes the transactions was not set up.
5. On the organization page, the drop down to display all events or a single event needs to be set to “all events” it was set to display only one event.
I have a video on the home page of my website that goes through the entire set up process.
I have made several pages on your site to facilitate the plugin. Please consider making a doantion or purchasing the Pro version of the plugin.
Good luck with your BBQ and take care.
Seth Shoultes
Hi Samuel,
I have fixed the issue in both the free and pro versions. The pro version has been uploaded already and the free version will be uploaded soon.
Seth
Is there a way to add in extra fields for events for things like a link to Google Maps?
I will be adding a feature to the pro version for Google maps soon. In the pro version there is a code to add a google map link within the email.
Is there a way to display “Seats Remaining” ? This would be a nice way to add urgency to register.
In my form, i enter all data, press Submit, but it dosen’t collect data and show it on Attendees. Missing something?
You need to make sure that you are entering {EVENTREGPAY} and {EVENTPAYPALTXN} into your pages. Then linking them up in your “Organization Settings” page.
Not at the moment. This is something I may add to the pro version in the future or I may do it on an individual basis.
Seth – Great plugin!
I have a question about the pro-version. I have an event in which it is $79.00 to register, but we have a tournament the next day in which it is $35.00 to register. I want the option for them to only attend the event, only attend the tournament, or both. Can this be done with the pro-version? Thanks.
Have you had a look at this page?
Pro Version Example
I use drop downs to show different options for that event. Will something like that work for you?
The drop down options will definitely help. Thanks Seth.
Now it records all data, thanks!
But new queston: I have attendee limit set to 1. If I go and open 2 browser windows and register same time, it takes both off them. Attendees/Payments page it shows 2/1 attendees. This is problem because I have events that go full in 5 minutes. I need to get exact limit to attendees. Is there way that it takes only that one who was a bit quicker? So that it checks is there space left when submit button is pushed.
This plugin is SO great!
Sorry english… I’m from Finland;)
When I roll out the new payment gateways (sometime next week) on the pro version, this issue will be fixed.
Thanks for this plugin. It’s great! I’ve set it up and am anxious to get it live on my site. I’ve done some testing, and I’m coming across one problem. I’m hoping you have a fix. If someone registers for the event and just goes through the payment process, it works fine. However, if they don’t click that “pay now” button, and instead click on the link in their email that says, “if you haven’t paid already, click here to review your payment.” They are taken to the page with {EVENTREGPAY} code. However, that page only calculates the price for one person. If they’re registering 2 or more, it’s not showing up on that page, and there’s no way to change it once they’ve entered the Paypal portal. Any ideas?
Hey Justin,
This has been updated in the pro version. I am releasing an update to the free version soon, which will fix the problem.
Thanks!
Seth i love the plug in, looking at buying the pro version but wanted to know how to modify the event list so it shows up in a table like on this page (http://isismaternity.com/classes/type/sprouts).
Also, when i ad an event or category list to a page it always moves to the top of the page rather than stay relative to the content of the page, is there a fix for this as well?
Thanks.
Hello Nikki,
In the pro version, I am using an experimental short code to display events within a certain date range. You could modify the code on the page to make a custom layout.
Here is a very basic example:
http://pro-version.advancedeventsregistration.com/?page_id=38
And another example of someone doing something similar to what you are trying to achieve (using my plugin, I was contracted to do the layout):
http://www.registerrightnow.com/
For the event data to be displayed above your content, you will most likely need to create a template page to display the way you want it.
Hope that helps
Seth
I have this great plugin working fine, but my problem is that I need the description to appear above the form in the page.
When I have it set up in the plugin, my theme is only picking up the shortcode on my front page excerpt and I need the description text to be there.
But when I put the text above the shortcode in the post, it appears below the form.
Is there a way of making the text appear above the form?
Thanks in advance for any help.
i am interested in your plugin, but have a question…
Is there an option for multiple items at different prices?
For example: an event having prices for adult AND children admission? Being able to differentiate and total at the end?
Does this work?
Hi Morrisoft,
Yes, that functionality exists in the Pro version of the plugin.
Seth
The event setup has a dropdown list of times that are in one-hour increments. There doesn’t seem to be a way to set an event for 6:15, 6:30, etc., just on the hour. Is this the same in the Pro version? I’d like to buy the Pro, but if I can’t schedule the events for the correct time, I’ll have to look for something else.
Hi Barbara,
The pro version has custom times and features multiple times for a single event.
Seth
May I just say holy f*ck, best service ever!!
We were initially skeptical bout purchasing a plugin but due to time constraints and my new found need to learn php/mysql (after spending years with c#.net 2.0/mssql). But after much searching and many a discussion with my boss peoples, we decided to try this product out.
I initially tried to install this plugin on my test environment, and I had many problems. After emailing Seth, I got a response within 20 minutes. (first sign of unusually good service) Then he helped me trouble shoot my issue for 2 hours, and an hour the next day, only to realize that it was an issue with my service provider. I took a chance and applied it to the production environment and it worked great!
If you are looking to create events easily and process paypal payments for those events, I say look no further. There is still a lot of features I have to look through, but we are extremely happy with this product.
~Metalnat
Hi,
A great plugin! I have the pro version and was more than happy to pay the $50. There are just a couple of things that I would like to see. the first is quite critical.
1. For an event that spans many days (e.g. and exhibition or film screening) the user must be able to select the date that they want to attend. Without this you could very easily oversubscribe to an event. This also links to my post on WordPress forums about being able to display an event past its start date.
2. The other thing I would love is shortcodes to be able to intergrate the event information into posts and templates. At the moment I am using custom fields to add start and end dates and price so that I can display the events in particular ways. It would be great if I could link a post to an event record and save the duplication.
I’d really appreciate hearing back from you on the first as soon as you can.
Many thanks
Nathan
Hi Seth,
Impressed with what I see of your plugin — I had two quick questions for you:
1) we do a lot of family registrations – parents registering their children for multiple events – is it possible with your plug in to have the parents enter their information, and then register their children for seperate events? (i.e. not needing to repeat the parents information for each child?)
2) following the above questions – we have a family rate for our programs – i.e. if each event is $90 and you register three children your total cost would be $270, but we have a maximum cost/family of $225. Is this a possibility with yours, even at the checkout point to choose that as an option? (I realize that we may need to code it that way, but would love to know if you feel that would be doable with how you’ve structured everything)
I realize these are very specific to our needs as an organization, but thanks in advance for any light you can shed on these two questions…
Mike
I am extremely interested in his plugin. I will probably go for the Pro version once I feel comfortable all will work for my needs.
Im testing now, and have created custom questions. When I hit submit, and they are not filled out, I am not getting a message that they are required. I am then taken to the main page of the site. I am not taken to Paypal. (i tried filling out all questions and am still taken to the main page.)
Hope you can help!
What’s the update on Authorize.Net support? Your latest post from February 19 indicated it would be available later in February…
Hey Rex,
I have decided to focus on making some core updates to the plugin in order to make it easier to add the Authorize.net functionality and other features. Once I am done making these changes I am going to focus on finishing the Authorize.net integration.
Seth
@winegoddess
You probably need to link up your {EVENTREGPAY} and {EVENTPAYPALTXN} pages in the Organization Settings page. Did you watch the video on setting up the plugin?
As far as the required fields not working, this is a bug I am aware of and working on fixing.
Seth
Hey Seth – I do have a thank you page with {EVENTREGPAY} for the Auto Return URL
And a {EVENTPAYPALTXN} page for the Notify URL
If you can please offer some direction, Id really appreciate it.
Im trying to test this out. I have two sites that can definitely use this functionality.
Im using 2.9.2 if that helps
HI.
I really want to use this. I will probably get the premium version, but need to test the free one first.
The problem is that when i acitvate the plugin,I get the error popup:
WordPress database error Multiple primary key defined for query ALTER TABLE wp_events_paypal_transactions ADD PRIMARY KEY (id) made by activate_plugin, do_action, call_user_func_array, events_data_tables_install, events_paypal_transactions_tbl_install, dbdelta
but it does seem to activate?
Everything seems fine, but when I submit a form, it doesn’t send any emails, and doesn’t log the registrants in the attendees list?
Any ideas?
Thanks!!
Hey tm2000,
What version of WordPress are you using?
Seth
hi seth! i love events pro but i have a few questions… one, is there a way to delete an event? and two, i’ve been trying to use the calendar but the extra options section doesn’t seem to show up for some reason… i was able to see it one time and I was able to add one event to the events calendar but i’m not able to any longer. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Is there a way do disable “expired” from showing up?
I have several events that have fixed start dates but I would like to allow people to register after that date. Unfortunately, once the date is past, the event becomes “expired” and people cannot sign up. Also, today, I have an event that is not starting until 10 AM tomorrow, but at 7 PM (Eastern) the event became expired. Is the event based on UTC time, which would have made it 12:00 am tomorrow at 7?
I’ve got a question for either the free or pro version (or modification).
Is it possible to list the attendees for an event. I’m running a golf website and would like for the players to see who has signed up for the tournaments.
@SFGolfer
In both versions you can use the shortcode {EVENTATTENDEES} to display a list of attendees.
I’ve got a question regarding the fields. Can the default fields be optionally omitted? I have events that don’t require all of the default fields. Also, can the fields (default and/or addon) be custom ordered to make the form intuitive to the visitor?
Just disabled your old Events Registration with PayPal IPN and upgraded to Advanced Events Registration and everything went very smoothly
New version works brilliantly and the export to Excel fuction now also adds the answers to any custom questions we have set which is perfect. Thanks soo much for this plugin and once we get some bookings we will send $30 or more for this as it does EVERYTHING we need.
Just a heads up to say we have done a quick review of this plugin on our http://thebloghouse.com/ site as we think it is great. Keep up the great work.
Is it possible to add the description in the Get_event_details.php?
Something like: (Does’nt work..)
Thanks in advance,
Daan
No not really a problem.
And i already have a solution.
But in the Get_event_details.php the description is not showing up.
Only in the full page it is, but i was wondering if it could also go on the details page.
Or at least an image..
#Working on another way, so dont bother
Thanks for this great plugin!
@daand
No. You can have as many events as you like in the free version. Although the free version is more suitable for a small amount of events. The pro version lists the events in sortable and search able tables.
In the free version, the Get_event_details.php file is just a list of events. If you edit the core files, they will be overwritten by updates. The pro version now includes template files that can be uploaded to your “wp-content/uploads/” folder and edited. By uploading them to your uploads folder. You don’t have to worry about the files getting overwritten when updating.
Seth
@daand Is the plugin not working for you?