FAQs
      Back to home
      1. Snap! Mobile Support Center
      2. FanX
      3. FAQs

      Places Functions General How To

      Using the Places Function in the App: A Comprehensive Guide

      The Places function within the app is versatile and powerful, but it can be a bit confusing due to its various capabilities. It’s used for several purposes, including ticketing, merchandise sales, and adding pins to the map to indicate physical locations. This guide will help you understand how to use the Places feature effectively, whether you're adding virtual cards or physical locations to the app.

      Key Features of the Places Function

      The Places function allows you to do the following:

      • Add and manage things like ticketing and merchandise within the app.
      • Create cards for merchandise, ticketing & concessions.
      • Add pins on the map to mark physical locations like a fan shop or concession stand at an event.

      When to Use Places

      You will use the Places function to:

      • Set up ticketing and merchandise cards within the app, which are essentially links to external URLs (e.g., an online ticketing page or a merchandise store).
      • Add physical locations like concession stands, ticket booths, or fan shops to the map. This provides users with location-specific information and directions.

      Types of Places You Can Create

      The Places function supports two main types of locations:

      1. Virtual Locations (Cards):

        • These are essentially external links to a URL, such as a ticketing page or a merchandise store but can also be a physical location as long as you add the respective latitude and longitude, 
        • Examples: Online ticket sales, merchandise store links, or event-specific pages.

      2. Physical Locations (Pins on the Map):

        • These are real-world locations marked on the map, such as a Parking Lot, ATM or a ticket booth.
        • You can add latitude and longitude coordinates to pinpoint these locations on the map.

      How to Create a New Place

      1. Creating a Virtual Location (Card)

      • Navigate to the Places section in the app's portal.
      • Select the appropriate subtype for your place. Common options include:
        • Tickets or Box Office (for ticketing URLs)
        • Merchandise (for online store URLs)
      • Enter the URL for the relevant ticketing or merchandise page.
        • Example: If you're setting up a ticketing page, provide the direct link to where users can purchase tickets.
      • Customize the Card:
        • You can choose to display the card with an icon (such as a ticket or merchandise icon).
        • Set a display order if you're managing multiple cards to determine which card appears first in the app.

      2. Creating a Physical Location (Pin on the Map)

      • Choose the subtype for your location, such as Box Office or Concessions.
      • Enable the "Show Directions" option if you want users to get directions to this location.
      • Add Latitude and Longitude:
        • You can use a map service (like Google Maps) to find the exact coordinates of the physical location.
        • In google maps, right-click on the map location to get the latitude and longitude, then copy and paste it into the respective fields in the app.
        • Example: If your ticketing booth is located at a specific area in the stadium, enter the exact coordinates for the booth location.

      3. Using Address Instead of Latitude/Longitude

      • If you have a physical address but not the exact coordinates, you can enter the address. This is only necessary if the 'Show Directions on The Map' checkbox is selected.
      • The address will appear as additional text when users click on 'Get Directions' in the app.

      TIP: For physical locations, adding coordinates provides the most accurate placement.

      Customizing the Display and Behavior of Places

      1. Choosing Icons

      • You can upload a custom icon for your places. This is useful if you want to add branding (like a logo) or distinguish between different types of locations.
        • Example: If you want to represent a merchandise shop with a custom logo, you can upload that as the icon for the location.

      2. Place Behavior

      • Place behavior dictates how the place functions within the app:
        • Pin on the Map: If you want the location to appear as a pin on the map, make sure to set the latitude and longitude.
        • Card: If you’re using the location as a virtual card (like a ticketing link), ensure the URL is entered and the place is set to display as a card.
      • This behavior allows you to decide whether the place should appear as a map pin or as a link card within the app.

      3. Inventory for Merchandise

      • If you’re adding merchandise or ticketing as a virtual card, you can also include an inventory list of items, such as ticket prices or merchandise options.
      • The inventory list is created separately in the Operations section, where you can define items like:
        • Senior tickets, merchandise prices (e.g., $5 for a T-shirt), etc.
        • You can link each inventory item to a specific URL if needed.

      Special Notes:

      • Place Detail Page: This feature allows you to add custom text or details to the place’s page, but it’s only available for specific use cases, such as when linking to a merchandise or ticketing page. It doesn’t allow for custom text for ticketing or merchandise places.
      • Geofencing: For physical locations, geofencing isn't always necessary, but you do have the option to set it up if needed.

      Common Use Cases

      1. Ticketing:
        • For schools or event organizers that use online ticketing, you can add a link to the ticketing page as a card in the app. You can also use pins on the map to mark physical ticket booths on-site.
      2. Merchandise:
        • For selling merchandise, you can add a link to your online store as a card or display a physical store location on the map as a pin.
      3. Concessions:
        • Use the inventory list feature to display food and drink items available at the event (e.g., hot dogs, drinks, etc.). You can add these items as a menu-style list or link to an external online ordering page.

      Troubleshooting and Tips:

      • URL Visibility: Make sure the URLs for ticketing and merchandise are correct and visible in the app. Sometimes, URLs might need to be checked to ensure they’re active and linked properly.
      • Multiple Locations: If you’re setting up multiple locations (e.g., multiple ticketing or merchandise options), you can organize them using the display order option to control their appearance within the app.

      By following this guide, you can effectively manage ticketing, merchandise, and physical locations in the app using the Places function. Whether you're creating cards or adding map pins, these features help enhance the user experience by providing clear, easy access to event-related resources.