New technologies are transforming every industry in the world. Gyms and health clubs are no different. From more effective marketing to better customer service, technology is proving to be a major disruptor of the health and fitness industry and business owners with their own health facilities are racing to keep up. There are some strong tech trends in 2019, and smart entrepreneurs are integrating the more positive technologies into their gym and health club management processes. If your club membership has dropped or you’re not seeing as many people on the bench press, then here are the most vital tech trends for the health and fitness industry in 2019.
Online Reservations
A digital presence is more important than ever, but many health and fitness centers are still without their own website. This is a major blunder in the digital age, as your website can be doing a lot of your hard work for you. As well as making it easier for local residents to find you, your website should also make it easier for customers to book sessions. Online reservations for specific rooms, equipment, or classes should now be a standard part of your digital offerings, and both staff and clients will benefit from easier booking and canceling options.
Marketing Essentials
Making sure that people know your fitness center is there is part of the ongoing function of your marketing. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the occasional post on your Facebook business page is going to be enough. Now, the smart health and fitness entrepreneur will be using a variety of digital marketing techniques, including:
- Visual Marketing: Images and video of real clients doing real work are much more effective marketing tools that that vague post about a new spin class. Make sure you get permission and use visual storytelling in your marketing.
- Use Reviews: Your online reviews can be a very valuable tool for your marketing team, so you need to prioritize gathering them. Use your reviews like you would a word of mouth recommendation, and make sure that you respond to both positive and negative reviews in a timely, professional way.
- Influencers: While restaurants and hotels have made a big splash with influencer marketing, gyms and health centers are able to leverage the same benefits. Learn the pros and cons of influencer marketing, and you could watch your membership numbers grow.
Admin and Software
There is now software for a massive number of business functions. They are handy and can streamline many of the time-consuming tasks that you and your team have to do. From bookkeeping software that can improve the speed and accuracy of your accounting to health club payment systems that make it easier for clients to pay and for you to access, the range of software options available can be mind-boggling. Using the right software can save you time, save you money, and improve the customer experience.
The health and fitness industry is in a state of flux. As more people than ever are starting to look after their health, the challenge is to encourage them to visit your gym or health center. With the right technology and a firm eye on the future, your health-focused business could be helping more people get the body they dream of, and all while increasing your own profits.
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