If you run a business or nonprofit that offers in-person classes—like pottery, painting, dance, kids' camps, or adult workshops—you’ve likely wrestled with how to handle registrations. From chasing down payments to organizing rosters and collecting waivers, managing classes manually or through generic e-commerce platforms can quickly become overwhelming.
That’s where class registration software comes in.
What Is Class Registration Software?
Class registration software is a specialized tool that helps organizations manage the entire process of offering and enrolling participants in classes or workshops. It streamlines everything from listing class offerings online to collecting payments, waivers, and participant information.
Unlike a generic e-commerce cart or payment form, class registration software is purpose-built to handle the unique needs of class-based organizations.
Who Uses Class Registration Software?
Typical users of class registration systems include:
- Community Education Programs – city rec programs, after-school activities, and enrichment courses
- Art & Pottery Studios – offering one-time workshops, ongoing classes, or multi-week courses
- Nonprofits & Cultural Organizations – managing public programming or grant-funded courses
- Kids' Activity Centers & Camps – handling seasonal sessions, age groups, and emergency contacts
- Adult Learning & Skill-Building Programs – including cooking, woodworking, or professional development
If your organization offers any kind of class or recurring event with limited spots and requires advance sign-up, you can benefit from class registration software.
Why Use Class Registration Software?
Many organizations start out using tools like Google Forms, PayPal buttons, or Shopify to manage class sign-ups—but quickly run into limitations.
Here’s why purpose-built software is a better solution:
1. Simplified Class Setup
Create detailed listings for each class with dates, times, instructor info, descriptions, and capacity limits—no hacking together a product page or spreadsheet required.
2. Online Registration and Payments
Allow participants to sign up and pay online, 24/7. Accept credit cards, offer discounts or coupons, and track who has paid for what, all in one place.
3. Custom Registration Forms
Collect the information you need—like emergency contacts, allergies, or skill levels. No more chasing paperwork or sorting through generic checkout fields.
4. Automatic Rosters and Reports
View and export rosters by class or date. Know exactly who’s attending, how much they paid, and what forms they've completed.
5. Waiver Collection and Attendance Tracking
Class registration systems like ClassDuo make it easy to collect digital waivers and mark attendance, ensuring you’re covered for insurance and liability.
6. Recurring Classes and Multi-Session Programs
Easily handle sessions that span several weeks, drop-in classes, or recurring programs—something most generic e-commerce platforms can’t do well.
How It Beats Generic E-Commerce Software
While platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, or Eventbrite can be used to sell classes, they often fall short when it comes to:
- Handling participant-specific info beyond name and email
- Managing multi-day or recurring classes
- Assigning instructors and tracking rosters
- Collecting waivers and emergency contacts
- Automatically limiting registration when a class fills up
Class registration software is designed for these workflows out of the box—saving time, reducing errors, and offering a better experience for both staff and participants.
ClassDuo: Built for Class-Based Organizations
ClassDuo is a modern class registration platform designed specifically for in-person organizations like pottery studios, arts programs, and community education providers. With ClassDuo, you can:
- Publish a beautiful online class calendar
- Customize registration forms for each class
- Collect payments and waivers automatically
- Track attendance and export rosters
- Avoid the headaches of duct-taping multiple tools together
Ready to simplify your class registrations?
Try ClassDuo and see how much easier running your programs can be.
