Are you a gym owner or operator who finds it difficult to keep track of your membership payments? Not getting the full financial picture across the many revenue streams of your fitness business?
Integrated gym payment services could be the answer you’re looking for.
These services make everything about payments and managing your finances easier, faster and more efficient. That’s a benefit for both you and your gym members.
It means less time spent on administrative tasks and more time helping your members get fit. All the while, your fitness business drives more revenue.
In this article, we’ll explain what integrated gym payment services are. We’ll look at the benefits and tell you how to get started step-by-step.
We’ll also share tips on how to smoothly integrate your payment services and finish with actionable steps you can take immediately.
Let’s get started!
What are Integrated Gym Payment Services?
Integrated gym payment services allow you to track and manage your finances in a single place, making it easier to manage your gym effectively and profitably.They let members pay their gym fees online, sign up for classes, and even renew their memberships without hassle. Members can do everything through your gym’s website or mobile app. The best solutions will also make it easier for you to track, analyse and action data to make smarter business decisions.Related : ClubWise Integrated Payments Features
Member features:
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Automatic reminders : Send automated messages to members if they forget to pay on time.
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Online sign-up : Members can easily join the gym or register for classes online.
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Online payments : Members can pay their fees or purchase merchandise from the gym online
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Financial flexibility : Offer members flexible and convenient payment options, from one-off payments to point-of-sale (POS), recurring card payments, and direct debits.
Staff features:
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Bad debtor flags : The system can spot members who often miss payments. It can even stop them from using the gym until they pay.
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Streamline your finances : Get the full picture of your club’s profitability, from membership payments to secondary spend.
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Integrate payments from anywhere Gain financial freedom with payment portals integrated into every area of your business.
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Financial security and compliance Ensure that your members’ financial data is secure and that your business remains compliant with industry regulations.
Think of it as having a smart assistant that handles all of your gym’s finances and payments. These services make life easier for you, your staff and your members.
The Benefits of Integrated Payments for Gyms
Using integrated gym payment services is a win-win for everyone. It keeps your gym’s finances under control and adds convenience for your members. Here’s a closer look at the benefits:
For Gym Owners
As a gym owner, you could benefit from integrated gym payment services in many ways beyond just getting paid on time. You can:
Track Your Cashflow.
See where money is coming from, whether it’s membership collection , class fees, or personal training sessions. This helps you know what’s working best and take action to boost your profits.
Related Article : How to Increase Gym Membership Sales: 11 Tips to Prepare Your Gym for 2024
Experience Less Hassle with Payments.
Save valuable time by using a system that helps you with member payment reminders, and automated direct debit collection. Give your members the ability to pay from anywhere at any time, so you’re less likely to lose money.
Know Your Inventory.
You can monitor what merchandise or products you’re selling, like gym gear or snacks, and even do stock checks. This helps you see what to keep in stock and what to discontinue. It also shows trends in customer spending, allowing you to predict successful new products to stock.
Get Accurate Reports.
You can get detailed reports on sales. This is great for allocating commissions and seeing how well merchandise sells. You can also track which classes are drawing in members at a higher rate, so you create the most profitable class schedules.
Retain Your Members.
The global fitness and health club industry has been growing every year , but that doesn’t mean it’s any easier to retain your members. Offering quick, convenient, and easy payment options helps to improve your member experience and keeps members with you for longer.
For Gym Members
Gym members also benefit from integrated gym payment services. They can enjoy the following perks:
Added Convenience
Members can handle all their gym-related payments online, which saves time and mental energy. This is vital—55% of consumers say if paying is hard, they might not stick with a brand.
Timely Updates
Members get due date reminders so they don’t miss payments by mistake.
Easy Access
They can sign up for everything online. They can renew memberships, view class schedules, sign up for personal training, and pay for it in one spot. Their entire gym experience is smoother.
8 Steps to Get Started with Integrated Gym Payment Services
Getting your gym on board with integrated payment services can make things much easier.Here are seven things you can do right now to start your journey towards integrated payment services:1. Check Your Current System.Take a good look at how you’re currently handling payments. List what’s working well and what could be better.Write down any features you require in a payment system. These might be automatic payments, an online payment portal, or automated due-date reminders.
2. Gather Your Team’s Thoughts.
Ask your staff what they think would make the payment process better. They might have some great insights that will help you find a solution that suits your business’ needs.
3. Research Your Options.
Investigate different payment services to see which one best fits your gym structure. Think about what features you need, like automated reminders, inventory tracking and direct debit collection services.
Request reviews or experiences from gyms that have already implemented integrated payment services. Others’ experiences can give you a good idea of what to expect and which services are top-notch.
Top Tip : Ensure that you consider any industry-specific legal requirements when doing your research. For example, ClubWise partners with FCA-accredited merchants like Stripe and Global Payments and offers a BACS-approved Direct Debit collection service.
4.Talk to the Experts.
Once you’ve got a good idea of what you need, contact some integrated payment service providers. They can give you more details and help you decide which service is right for your gym.
5. Book a Demo.
Once you’ve found a few you’re interested in, request a demo. Let them show you the service in practice. It’s also the time to ask questions.
6. Plan Your Setup.
After choosing a service, plan how to implement it. Decide when and how you’ll make the change and prepare your team. You may even want to inform members of the impending improvements.
7. Train Your Staff.
Make sure your team understands how to use the system. They should be fluent in its features and be ready to help members with their questions. Top providers like ClubWise offer on-site training and a dedicated customer success team to help train your staff and ensure smooth onboarding for you and your members.
8. Launch It.
Once staff are trained and you’ve set a date, start using your new payment service. Remind your members about the new system and show them how they will be better served.