Setting up an event management system on a WordPress website can transform how you organise events, whether you’re a piano teacher or running a fitness studio.
Today, I’ll guide you through creating and managing events efficiently using a plugin called Sugar Calendar.
As a piano teacher, for instance, you might host various events like doubt-solving sessions or online music classes. By utilising this powerful tool, you can tailor your event lists to better engage with your audience and meet your specific needs.
Sugar Calendar offers both a free version and a pro version with advanced features like integration with Zapier and ticketing options.
I’ll walk you through installing and activating the plugin on your site, and demonstrate how to create different calendars for various event types.
Whether it’s music lessons or fitness classes, having separate calendars can simplify event management and enhance user experience by clearly segmenting your offerings.
Key Takeaways
- Sugar Calendar helps manage events on WordPress.
- The plugin comes in free and pro versions.
- Separate calendars organise different event types.
Event Management System Summary
I set up an event management system on a WordPress website, designed specifically for those like me teaching piano. The website uses the Sugar Calendar plugin, which is perfect for organising and showcasing music events, like online classes and practice sessions.
I downloaded the pro version to exhibit advanced features such as Zapier integration and event ticketing, after activating it with a licence key.
For effective event management, understanding how to utilise features like calendars and event creation is crucial.
I focus on creating distinct calendars for different types of events. For example, if you’re a music teacher like me, you can set up separate calendars for events such as “Piano Lessons” or “Chord Practice.”
Once the calendars are set, I move on to setting up events. For instance, I plan out event details such as the name, duration, and date.
Additional features include the ability to schedule recurring events––useful for weekly piano sessions.
The system also supports event locations and provides integration with Google Maps, key for any physical gatherings.
Moreover, I utilise redirect links to manage event registrations through external platforms like Zoom. This enables seamless integration and enhances the user experience for attendees.
Investigating the Sugar Calendar Add-on
Free Edition vs Professional Edition
Sugar Calendar offers two editions – a free one and a paid version. The free version, often referred to as Sugar Calendar Light, includes basic functions.
For those needing more advanced features, there is the Pro edition, which includes add-ons like Zapier for automation and event ticketing. It’s necessary to purchase the Pro edition to access these features.
Setup and Activation
To add the Sugar Calendar, I first navigated to my site’s plugin section. Here, I selected “Add New Plugin” and uploaded the downloaded zip file from the Sugar Calendar website.
For those who want to try the free edition, it’s possible to search for Sugar Calendar and install it directly. After the upload, I proceeded to activate the plugin to get it up and running.
Entering the Registration Key
With the plugin installed, the next crucial step is entering the registration key. This action activates the plugin’s full potential, especially for those using the Pro version.
Once the key is entered and accepted, I can start using the additional features that make Sugar Calendar a powerful tool for managing events on my site.
Using Sugar Calendar Abilities
Finding Your Way to the Calendars
To get started with Sugar Calendar, the first step is to locate the calendar section. In this area, creating and managing multiple calendars is possible, each catering to different types of events.
For example, if you’re hosting various classes, you might want to set up individual calendars for each one. This way, each event type can have its own space on your website, making it easier to organise and display without causing confusion for visitors.
It’s important to first go to the calendar section to make these adjustments.
Making and Altering a Calendar
Once in the calendar area, new calendars can be created, or existing ones can be edited to suit specific needs. There is a default calendar when you start, and it’s possible to rename it or create additional ones.
For instance, you might rename a calendar to something like “Piano Lessons”. Features like parent calendars, different colour options, and more can be adjusted to help organise events.
After creating or modifying calendars, updating them ensures they work as intended. Then, it’s time to start adding and managing events, which is where much of the functionality comes into play.
Events can be detailed with start times, end times, and even settings for recurring events, allowing for robust scheduling options.
Handling Events
Creating an Event
To start creating an event, I click on Add New Event. This opens up the process where I can enter all the necessary details about the event.
I begin by giving the event a name like “Chord Practice.” Next, I set the event date and time. For example, I could set the event for 19th December from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Customising Event Information
After setting the time, I focus on other details. I can mark the event as “all-day” if it lasts the entire day.
If the event is recurring, like a weekly session on Thursdays, I have the option to set it to repeat every week. I can specify if it should stop after a certain number of occurrences.
Establishing Repeat Occurrences
To manage recurring events, I use the repeat option. For example, I can make the session repeat weekly on Thursdays. This is handy if I want to avoid creating new events each time.
By setting the duration to six months or a year, I can plan long-term event series easily.
Venue Selection and Maps Integration
For events held at a physical location, I enter the address details. This helps attendees find the venue easily.
Additionally, Sugar Calendar allows me to integrate Google Maps by adding a Google Maps API key. This feature displays a map and pinpoints the event location on my site.
Connecting and Redirecting to Other Pages
If there’s more information or registration required elsewhere, I enable link redirection. This allows me to redirect users to an external page, such as a Zoom registration link or a detailed event page hosted on another website.
By activating the redirect, users who click on the event can be smoothly directed to the appropriate page for more information or registration.
Advanced Event Features and Customisation
In this section, I demonstrate how to utilise advanced features within Sugar Calendar for event management.
First, it’s important to set up calendars. You can create distinct calendars for various event categories.
This is particularly useful if you have events targeting different audiences, like classes or workshops. For example, categorising events such as Music Sessions or Yoga Classes into separate calendars helps keep everything organised and clear for users.
After setting up calendars, the next step is creating events.
Begin by adding a new event and providing details like the event name, duration, and start and end times. There is also an option to make events recurring, which can be set to repeat weekly or monthly, extending them over several months without the need to recreate them each time.
Another valuable feature is incorporating locations for events.
You can add an address and integrate Google Maps onto your site, making it easy for attendees to find the venue. To enable this, simply input your Google Maps API key and you can display maps directly on your website.
For events requiring registration or additional information hosted elsewhere, Sugar Calendar offers a handy redirect feature.
This allows you to link to external pages like Zoom webinars or other registration platforms. When users click on your event, they are redirected to the designated page, streamlining the registration process and providing all necessary details in one place.
By leveraging these advanced features, you gain more control and flexibility over how events are presented and managed on your site, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for both organisers and attendees.