Not all fitness gyms can get a slice of the $87 billion-dollar pie, that is the global fitness industry. Your ability to capture your share of the “pie” depends entirely on how well you can invite new members, retain members, process payments, and upsell when necessary. One of the most powerful tools in your arsenal to make that happen is your point of sale (POS) system.
The right gym POS system should make it easier to manage memberships, process payments, build rewards programs, and other key functions that will boost your bottom line. Unlike other industries, fitness studios and gyms rarely rely on single purchases as their primary revenue stream, with the exception of individual classes. Since most of your business comes from memberships, your POS system should reflect this reality.
You should be able to handle billing, promotions, rewards programs, scheduling, reservation management, and marketing — all from one central device. With the right POS system, you’ll spend less time on administrative tasks and more time on recruiting and retaining new gym members. Here’s a quick guide on how to choose the right POS for your gym:
- Membership management
Membership management is a crucial feature of any gym management software. Bringing in new members and retaining existing ones is the bread and butter of a gym. One of the main reasons to use a management platform is to serve your members better and ensure they keep coming back to your gym and renew their membership when the time comes. Members should be able to access their membership history, book training sessions, and classes, and pay for bookings all through the gym software system.
💡 Membership management software is a specialized solution for centralizing administrative and communication activities of a membership organization. The software creates a digital space where community members can interact with managers and with each other, and where all organizational issues can be solved. – Source : Sam Solutions
- Social media and website integration
As you know, social media is a fantastic way to connect with people. Regarding brands, 62% of millennials are more loyal to them if they engage with them via social messaging. Your gym management software needs to be integrated with your social media and website to allow users to pay, book fitness classes, and keep track of their membership. Whether your member is on their phone or a computer, it should be effortless for the user across all channels.
💡 Website social media integration is the process of extending your marketing by redirecting your social media followers to your website and making your social platforms accessible to your target audience and customers via your website. – Source : Captivate Designs
- Built-in analytics
Insightful metrics show where you need to make improvements and what you need to focus on. By using reporting, you can double down on key revenue drivers and make informed decisions. Reporting is excellent for providing insights into members as well as your financial landscape. Look at your finances at a glance in a digestible format that’s easy to understand.
Payment-related insights can give you a higher probability of collecting missed or late payments. Track exactly how your members are paying, including payment methods and billing cycles.
- Real-time accessibility
Stay in touch with your business with real-time reporting, analysis, and insights. Reports are a powerful tool that you can use to make better business decisions. The right reports will tell you which members are fully engaged and which members might be in danger of leaving. This then allows you to step in and see what changes you need to make to increase member retention.
Key takeaway
There are many facets to running a fitness club; processes, customer care, finances, and equipment maintenance are just some of those. Club owners need to spin a lot of plates at once to make a gym work. And if one glass falls and smashes, it can sometimes spell disaster for the whole show. Yes, fitness club management is tough, but with the right POS, it’s easier. Used to its fullest potential, POS software can simplify all the day-to-day operational running of your fitness club.
