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... The tide now appears to have turned
I thought it maybe time that we provided an update on the state of the online membership market and also an update on our Snap system and developments to help your business.
We sold our first membership using Snap some three years ago and we have recently seen a shift in attitude from many within the industry. It was very often the case when we were explaining why and how members would join online that many were sceptical and either didn't think it would work or were going to sit back and wait and see.
I still find it frustrating that so many in the Health & Fitness industry resist rather than embrace change! However, the tide now appears to have turned and whist meeting many within the industry at SIBEC last month or the FIA conference this month there is an now a general acceptance that all clubs need to sell memberships online.
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Increase sales
Sites that introduce a Snap portal experience a 10% increase in sales with little dedicated marketing. A more focused approach to lapsed members or referral by direct mail or even better e mail marketing means that the 10% can be significantly improved upon. When one sale can usually cover the cost of a one year hosting fee for Snap then it is no surprise that the vast majority of our clients use a Snap portal.
Amusingly it is still the case that many talk a good game but then fail to see things through. We have statistics from clubs which not only show the increase in sales but also where the sales come from and there is no doubt that an online portal can only bring benefit to your business. Yet, I see lots of web sites with no JOIN NOW ONLINE call to action!!!!
We hear about alternatives to our own Snap system either about to come onto the market or already available - Although I can think of nothing that compares to the features and benefits now available using a 3rd generation Snap system.
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Online sales exceed paper!
For the first time in June this year we have seen more membership agreements set up from all our clients online rather than on paper. Of course some of these are done on site rather than off site but this still indicates a significant trend toward digital sign up. Not surprising given the benefits.
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Snap on premises
If you have non contracted members then using a standard Snap module works in club just as well as off premises however, if you want to be sure that you have contracted a member and also that they have a signed copy then the new in club version is for you.
Our in club version allows for the option to print copies of the online forms in club that can then be signed by the member. This means that for many clubs there will be no need to use traditional membership forms. Using this method also means that all new members bank details are verified in-club using the bank wizard within Snap and the direct debit is immediately lodged with Harlands Group.
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Kevin Scott
