Whether you’re looking to use sports management software or make a change in your tech stack, you need to evaluate the tools that you’ll need to provide a strong client experience. There are several different software solutions etc. that are out there. How do you know which is the best fit?
All of the flashy features can be luring. And, some of those “nice to have” features may be critical for some businesses more than others.
But, regardless of your business model, there are 3 critical actions of sports management software that must be done well: payment processing, event management, and reporting.
Let’s dive into each of these elements, as well as some questions to ask a potential sports management software provider.
Related: What is Sports Management Software (and why do I need it?)
The 3 Most Important Elements of Sports Management Software
1. Payment Processing
I won’t beat around the bush. Don’t make it hard to buy your stuff.
Both making payments and tracking them can be a nightmare, especially if you are tracking them manually. Remembering whether or not your client paid you for your session, or how many sessions they have left in their package can be frustrating without a sports management app.
To alleviate this headache, make sure that your sports management software enables you to easily collect, track, and manage your payments. Whether you’d like to accept payments via card prior to the session, or you’d like to collect payments at the session, it’s important that your sports scheduling app has the flexibility to run your business your way.
Questions to ask a potential software partner about processing payments:
When it comes to processing payments, here are a few questions you should consider asking on a demo.
- How can I process online payments?
- How do my client register and pay for my [lessons, camps, memberships]?
- Can my clients pay down balances on their account?
- Are my clients able to see how many credits they have left?
2. Event Management
In addition to processing payments, it’s also important that you are able to automate your revenue streams and reduce friction through event management. Can you configure your programs to fit your business? Some sports scheduling apps offer very rigid event creation, making it difficult for you to set up your programs. And, the more complex things become for you, the more difficult it can become for your clients to find the programs that are right for them.
Your events and programs are the crux of your business. So, when evaluating different sports coaching apps, you want to ensure that your software can work with you, not against you.
In addition to managing the scheduling and registration, you’ll also want to consider how you can take action within these events. Are you able to electronically collect athlete waivers? What about t-shirt sizes for a camp? Can you track which athletes show up for their sessions, and which ones cancelled or no-showed?
Questions to ask a potential software partner about event creation and management:
Here are a few key questions a sports scheduling software provider should be able to answer:
- How can I set up my [lessons, camps, clinics, etc.]
- Where can I manage my roster once people register?
- How can I communicate with the athletes that sign up for my programs?
- Can I edit my events when I need to make changes to my schedule?
3. Reporting Capabilities
Your athletes are the forefront of your business. They’re your number one priority. And rightfully so. Without athletes, you wouldn’t have a business. But, at the end of the day, you need to know where/ if you’re making money, where you’re losing money, how many athletes you’re working with, how many active members you are working with, how many cancellations you receive, and more.
The biggest factor to consider when meeting with a sports management software provider is not in the physical reports that are offered. Rather, it’s how accessible your data is.
Some providers offer hundreds of different reports, however it can be nearly impossible to make sense of any of that data and apply it to your business. On the contrary, there may be a provider that offers fewer reports, but the information in those reports help you uncover the root problems that you’re trying to solve.
Questions to ask a potential software partner related to reporting:
While reporting and numbers may not be your forte, there are a few ways you can ask about the data your sports management software will provide, including
- How can I view my client data?
- How can I track my finances within the app?
- Can I manage my staff’s wages?
- How can I tell how successful my programs are?
- Where can I see if I’m missing any payments?
- Can I see how many active members I have, and how many members have canceled their memberships?
- How can I use my data to make decisions about future programs or investments?
Ready to look for a sports management software?
Ultimately, you need to choose the software that is the best fit for your business. Some sports softwares were designed specifically for sports training like lessons, camps, and clinics. Others were developed to help you manage teams and leagues. Some prioritize the client experience, some help you effectively manage a large team of staff and instructors.
While the specific needs will vary from business to business, these three functions – payment processing, event management, and reporting – are the foundation. Without these 3 elements, you will fail to provide your clients with a professional, all-star experience. And, it will be hard for you to grow your business up and to the right.
Upper Hand’s sports software was designed by sports coaches to make sports training easier. With a special emphasis on these 3 “no-brainer” elements of a sports management software, it’s no surprise that Upper Hand is consistently rated a top performing software. If you’re interested in learning more about Upper Hand’s software capability – both in terms of these features and additional ones, schedule a demo with a member of our team!
