Three Must-Have Gym Software Features
If you run a gym, you should take advantage of the software to run and develop your business.
The fact is that the right gym software can not only save you time, but also improve your customer service.
3 Gym Software Features You Must Have
- Magnetic card technology
- Ecommerce / Online Membership Purchase
- Direct response / email marketing
These three fitness software features not only save you and your staff time, but also improve customer service AND work directly to increase your revenue.
Software features in detail
1. Magnetic card technology
This is obvious. The card is swiped by a member upon entering your gym or by a staff member. It is fast, therefore convenient for its members.
However, and this is important, your member’s purchases and visits are automatically tracked to that member’s electronic profile in your database.
Tracking your members’ visits and purchases gives you a great opportunity to both serve them better and sell them more products and services. This is where the next two must-have features come into play.
2. E-Commerce / Online Membership Purchase Ability
There are two aspects of eCommerce that you can implement as a gym owner. First, you can sell products online through an online store. Second, you can sell memberships, gift cards, and packages online. The second option is critical, the first, being an online store, is desirable.
Why not give prospective members the option to purchase a membership directly online?
I’ve been a member of several gyms, and I’m always amazed at the hassle I went through to get a membership. Sure there are liability issues to cover, but great gym software will also include electronic waivers that your members can sign electronically.
When someone wants to join your health club, don’t make it a necessary hassle to visit a “sales rep.” Just let them buy right away. Of course, have sales representatives available to answer questions.
Take this a step further by offering packages: classes, personal training, fixed number of visits, etc. The more you cater to your members, the longer you will retain them and attract more members.
How about an online store?
You are likely to sell gear, clothing, and maybe even supplies at your facility. Why not extend your store to your website?
You get traffic to your site, so with a minimum of hassle, you can generate more sales. Your members can shop online and then pick up their items during their next visit.
You can promote your online store beyond your membership to make more sales and get more exposure to your gym.
From my point of view, having an online store that sells clothing, gear, and supplements is a great income generator. After all, you already have inventory. It also has staff, often sitting around doing nothing except waiting to serve members. They comply with the requests.
The fact is that there are fitness oriented online e-stores that are making a fortune. Why not get a piece of that market?
3. Direct Response Email Marketing
This is a big topic, but I’ll keep it short.
The fact is, if you’re not actively marketing and communicating with current and potential members via email, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.
Once you have a database of members and can track their visits and purchasing trends, you can market more services and even products to them. However, use the information you have about them and target specific services and products to them. Do not sell feminine products to men and vice versa.
A great gym software with email software will be able to segment your members, which means you can do precision marketing.
Don’t forget about potential members. Once a member visits your site, you need to capture their email address.
To do this, you need to be given your email address. You entice visitors to give you their email address by offering them something they want. Offer them free training videos, books, reports, discounts, etc. Your contact information is worth a lot. Email marketing is a numbers game.
The bigger your list is, assuming your list is in shape, then you will be able to sell to them.
Even if those potential members don’t become members, you can still sell them your products on your eStore…that’s if you set one up.
If you book private appointments, you can send reminder emails to those members. This reduces no-shows. Absences are costly because valuable time is lost.
As you can see, these 3 gym software features work together to save you time, provide great customer service, and increase your revenue.