The importance of having quality management software for your business can’t be understated. Well integrated fitness club software very quickly becomes a core part of a business’s operations and staff come to rely on it for everything from booking and taking payments to storing vital member data and attendance tracking. With this in mind, it’s essential to know exactly what to look out for when investing in this tech.

But all management software isn’t cut out of the same cloth.  Each one has its own set of features and benefits, so it pays to know ahead of time exactly what features you’ll need and which ones you’re best off without. In this blog, we cover software must-haves that are specifically suited to the fitness industry.

Simplicity

Learning how to use a new system can be time-consuming, and since we’re all so time poor, it helps if you can invest in a system that’s easy to learn and simple to use. Unfortunately, this can be hard to tell by just reading about the system on a website. You have to actually get in there and play around with the trial version and access the tutorials and learning resources to get a grasp of exactly what you’re in for. If the software isn’t easy to use, you could actually waste more time than you’ll save.

Tailored Features for Your Specific Business Type

You’re likely to come across various companies offering business management software, including some who claim to be a ‘one size fits all’ solution, but be warned. Every business and industry operates very differently from each other, and they all have their own set of needs and requirements. That’s why it’s far better to hunt down software that specifically created to suit the industry you work in.You could even go a step further and knuckle right down to finding software that suits the specific type of business your in. Not all businesses have that luxury; however, if you’re in the fitness industry, you’re in luck with Clubworx. Our software caters to gyms, PT studios, martial arts, yoga and pilates studios with features that each of these businesses relies on day to day.

A Flexible & Clean Interface

Do you feel restricted when using your software, with features not laid out in a way that’s logical and productive for you? Software that includes a flexible interface where you can drag and drop tools where you please, into a layout and order that suits you, is the best way to get around this.Pages that are cluttered with too much information, buttons and options can also make it a lot harder for you to get your head around what you're supposed to be doing on the page. Content on each page should be laid out logically with a clean and easy to read design, so you intuitively know what each page is for and what it’s functionality is.You may also find that you’re paying for software that includes features you don’t even need or use. You don’t need us to tell you that’s a waste of money. To get around this, it’s best to choose software that allows you to only pay for the features you need.

Automated Payment System

If you’re in business, you probably want to get paid and make sure that the money comes through in the fastest and most efficient way possible. If that’s the case, you’ll probably want an automated payment system in place. Having club management software that can be integrated with your payment processes will make running your business so much easier because everything you need to run, manage and control your business will all be found in one place.A quality membership software company should have the facilities to help you set up an automated payment feature if you don’t have one already. Once this is up and running, you’ll have recurring credit card and check payments in place.

Booking Software

Whether you’re a gym, martial arts studio or yoga studio, your members will want to book in for classes and training sessions, and these days, members expect to have the ability to book these classes in themselves. So, if you don’t have some form of booking software in place, you’re definitely behind the eight ball.To meet this demand, your website should feature an integrated class timetable that can be accessed by your members and set up through your club management software. Through this timetable, they can make the booking.

Attendance Tracking

One of the best ways to tell if you’re business is receiving the numbers and the level of growth you’re after is to take advantage of attendance tracking tools. Attendance tracking is another feature to look out for in your fitness club management software because it allows you to see student attendance levels instantly, thus giving you the opportunity to address any obvious attendance downfalls as they arise.

Insights and Analysis

With so much information filtering through your system that directly impacts how your business is run and performing, it really would be a waste if it just sat there doing nothing. Any good management software should spit this data out in the form of helpful and easy to read insights and analysis. With this data, you have the opportunity to make future projections about everything from earnings and debts to student attendance.

Training and Support

Do you know what kind of training and support will be in place once you’re up and running with your new software? There’s nothing worse than being left out in the cold to fend for yourself once your software is purchased and downloaded. Questions and issues are bound to pop up, so there needs to be a support system in place. This should include online training and tutorials as well as unlimited support from the software company both over phone and email.

If you’re in the fitness industry and on the hunt for the perfect club management software, Clubworx is made to fit your industry with all the features you need to run your business effectively. Read through our website and start your free trial to see for yourself how our software will dramatically improve the way you do business.