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How to Enable Waitlists

Learn how to enable waitlists for events and classes. When events/classes are full, customers can join the waitlist, and you can promote them to active registration when spots become available.

How to Enable Waitlists

Learn how to enable waitlists for events and classes. When events/classes are full, customers can join the waitlist, and you can promote them to active registration when spots become available.

Before You Begin

  • You must be logged in to your account at https://app.joinzipper.com
  • You need permission to manage schedules (typically organization owners and admins have this permission)
  • An event or class to configure
  • Capacity limit set (waitlists require capacity limits)

Steps

Step 1: Navigate to Event or Class

  1. Log in to your account at https://app.joinzipper.com/auth/login
  2. From the dashboard, click Calendar in the left sidebar
  3. Find the event or class you want to configure:
    • Browse your calendar
    • Or go to Events or Classes and find it
  4. Click on the event or class to open it

What happens next: You’ll see the event or class edit page.

Step 2: Find Registration Section

  1. On the edit page, find the Registration section
  2. This section contains:
    • Registration form settings
    • Capacity limits
    • Waitlist settings
    • Other registration options

Note: Waitlist settings are typically in the Registration section.

Step 3: Set Capacity Limit

  1. Set maximum capacity (required for waitlists):
    • Enter maximum number of registrations
    • Example: 20 means 20 customers can register
    • Waitlists require capacity limits to be set

Important: You must set a capacity limit before enabling waitlists.

Step 4: Enable Waitlist

  1. In the Registration section, find Waitlist option
  2. Toggle Waitlist to On:
    • Enable the waitlist feature
    • When event/class is full, customers can join waitlist
    • Waitlist becomes active

Note: Enabling waitlist allows customers to register even when the event/class is full.

Step 5: (Optional) Set Maximum Waitlist Size

  1. Set maximum waitlist size (if available):

    • Enter maximum number of customers on waitlist
    • Example: 10 means maximum 10 customers on waitlist
    • Leave empty or unlimited if you don’t want a limit
  2. How it works:

    • When waitlist reaches maximum size, no more customers can join
    • Or waitlist can be unlimited (no maximum)

Note: Maximum waitlist size helps you control waitlist length.

Step 6: Save Changes

  1. Review your waitlist settings:
    • Capacity limit is set
    • Waitlist is enabled
    • Maximum waitlist size is set (if desired)
  2. Click Save or Save Changes
    • Waitlist settings will be saved
    • You’ll see a confirmation
  3. Waitlist will be active immediately

What happens next: Waitlists will be enabled and:

  • Customers can join waitlist when event/class is full
  • You can promote customers from waitlist when spots open
  • Waitlist is visible in event/class management
  • Customers are notified when promoted

How Waitlists Work

When waitlists are enabled:

  1. Event/Class is full:

    • New customers can’t register normally
    • Customers can join waitlist instead
    • Waitlist captures interest
  2. When someone cancels:

    • Spot becomes available
    • You can promote customers from waitlist
    • First customer on waitlist typically gets promoted first
  3. Promoting customers:

    • Select customer from waitlist
    • Click Promote
    • Customer moves to active registration
    • Customer is notified
  4. Waitlist cancellations:

    • Always refunded automatically
    • Regardless of refund policy window
    • Because waitlisted customers never got a spot

Tips

  • Enable waitlists to capture interest when events/classes are full
  • Promote customers promptly when spots become available
  • Use first-come-first-served order for fairness
  • Reorder waitlist if you have priority customers
  • Monitor waitlist to understand demand

Troubleshooting

Problem: I can’t enable waitlist Solution: Check that:

  • Capacity limit is set (required for waitlists)
  • You’re editing the Registration section
  • Waitlist feature is available

Solution: Set a capacity limit first, then enable waitlist. Make sure you’re editing the Registration section.

Problem: Customers can’t join waitlist Solution: Check that:

  • Waitlist is enabled
  • Event/class has reached capacity
  • Maximum waitlist size hasn’t been reached (if set)

Solution: Verify waitlist is enabled and event/class is actually full. Check maximum waitlist size if set.

Problem: Waitlist isn’t showing customers Solution: Check that:

  • Customers have joined the waitlist
    • Event/class is full
    • Waitlist is enabled
    • You’re viewing the correct event/class

Solution: Verify waitlist is enabled and customers have actually joined. Check that event/class is full.

Problem: I can’t promote customers from waitlist Solution: Check that:

  • There are available spots in the event/class
  • Customer is on the waitlist
  • You have permission to manage schedules

Solution: Verify event/class has available spots and customer is on waitlist. Check permissions if needed.