Behind every growing sports facility is a great scheduling app.
We’ve talked about the benefits of using a
sports management software. But, when it comes to choosing the best app for your sports facility, where do you even begin?
When evaluating
sports facility booking apps, it’s important that you do your due diligence to find the software that will best fit your business needs – both short and long term.
Here’s what to look for in a scheduling app for your sports facility.
What is a sports facility booking app?
A sports facility booking app is a type of software that helps manage the scheduling and booking at your sports facility. The app allows you to view and manage your schedule and availability of your facility’s spaces as well as your staff members. Additionally, sports facility booking apps allow clients to book sessions and make online payments.
Sports facility management software is beneficial across various sports. For example, baseball facilities can benefit from
baseball field scheduling apps to manage their cages or turf fields, schedule lessons, and set instructor availability. Similarly, a
swim lesson scheduling software helps you keep track of what is going on in each of your swimming pool lanes.
In Case You Missed It: 3 Reasons Sports Facilities Fail (and how yours can succeed)
What to look for in a sports facility booking app
1 Easy to Use
When choosing a sports facility booking app, it is critical that the software is easy to use – for you, your staff, and your clients.
For business owners: Your
sports scheduling software should help you easily manage your business tasks – including scheduling, membership management, retail, and more. It should give you a snapshot of what is going on at your facility at any given time, while also allowing you to dig into the details of each session. Additionally, it will help you keep track of your KPIs – such as revenue or number of new clients – which helps you make smart, quick business decisions.
For your staff: When choosing a
facility booking system, you should also consider how intuitive the app is for your power users – namely, your staff. Your sports facility booking app should make it easy for your staff to see their schedule and set their availability. Ensure that your sports facility booking app makes it easy for staff to find information about their schedules.
For your clients: Not only will a sports scheduling app optimize your business operations on the back end, but it should also make it easy for your clients to book sessions at your facility. Is the app intuitive for clients? Are they able to find the programs they are looking for, reserve their spot, and make an online payment.
2 Manages your spaces
Regardless of the size of your facility, it is also crucial that your sports facility booking app has the functionality to manage your resources. Will your
sports scheduling app allow you to see the availability of your spaces? This will help you ensure that your spaces are not double-booked nor go left unused. And, the app can help you break your larger areas into smaller ones, helping you to maximize your revenue per square foot.
Related: How to Boost your Sports Facility Revenue (without adding new clients)
3 Flexible payment options
In addition to booking sessions or resources, your sports facility booking app should also offer multiple ways to pay. The app should empower your clients to book and pay online for their sessions. Additionally, it should help you keep track of every form of payment, for those who may opt to book now and pay at a later date as you allow.
Tip: Upper Hand empowers clients to pay down their balances over time, either on the app or at your facility.
4 Mobile app
In addition to desktop software, it can also be convenient if the app allows you to book and manage sessions on the go. Consider how the sports facility booking app will allow you to manage your business at your fingertips. Not only will a mobile app allow your clients to book from anywhere, but it will also empower your staff to keep track of their sessions, wherever their day takes them.
Putting it all together
At the end of the day, your sports facility booking app should empower you, your staff, and your clients. By making it easy for your clients to schedule and pay online, you are reducing barriers to training with your business, and eliminating back and forth scheduling-related communications. And, by visualizing your facility’s schedule at any given time, you’re able to maximize use of your resources and empower your staff to be at the right place at the right time.
