Sports Complexes: The Online Store to Grow Your Revenue

Sports Complexes: The Online Store to Increase Your Revenue

When it comes to generating new revenue for your sports complex, it's impossible not to mention the online store, also called proshop. With the rise of e-commerce and online sales (3.4% of retail in France according to Fevad), clubs now have numerous means to diversify their offerings and generate additional income. However, setting up an online store for your sports complex requires real reflection and strategy to be effective.

The online store to differentiate and retain customers of your sports complex

The image that clients have of you should not be overlooked. Often, your members perceive you as a reference place for the sport they practice, your members are your best ambassadors. They are the most likely to recommend your center to friends and colleagues. Thus, it makes sense to market custom equipment or accessories that can be displayed even outside your complex. Keep in mind that retaining a customer is more profitable than acquiring a new one!

The Guide to Retaining Your Customers

What are the ingredients that an online store of a club must have to be effective and generate its first revenues?

The online store is part of a branding and customer experience approach. To become an essential gathering place in your sector, it is important to offer a different experience, which involves the additional services you provide. 

Boost your online bookings with subscriptions 

The online store also allows you to promote your subscriptions or session packages. This model is used by fitness centers. It involves a recurring payment, generally monthly, for your clients, which grants access to specific services. It can be applied to any activity. For example, a Padel club can create a subscription limited to off-peak hours.

Advantage : A recurring income every month and maximized customer loyalty

Disadvantage : Be careful with the construction of your offers. Having too many subscriptions can harm your profitability and act as a barrier to purchase for your clients.

How to launch the online store of your sports complex?

The strategic reflection is complete, and we arrive at the crucial and awaited step of launching your store online. Several solutions are available to you, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

Default choice: Integrate the store into your website

Now well-known and accessible, developing your website (via Shopify, Wix…) is the most direct solution for setting up an online store. Requiring certain technical skills, it is recommended to enlist a provider to have a reliable and user-friendly store.

The disadvantages: 

This solution, while reliable and traditional, risks being overlooked by your clients who may be confused among all of your platforms (Booking System, Store, Facebook Page)

Innovative choice: Your club's Mobile App

Centralized on a mobile application and coupled with the booking system of your sports complex. With this solution, you will consolidate all the functionalities of your center on a single platform accessible from all devices.

• Better brand image

• Simplified customer experience

• Centralization of all your services

• Encouragement of cross-selling during booking on the app

• Push Notifications to promote your offers

Given that more than 50% of online purchases are made on mobile in France, the importance for sports complexes, whether independent or franchised, to be present on the mobile channel by having their own application is undeniable.

Doinsport develops your Club Application 

Who to turn to for personalizing the products of your sports complex's online store?

For the selection of products to list online, several solutions are available to you: 

Be careful about the quality of the products you will offer. According to a study conducted by Ipsos, 72% of the French want more transparency regarding the quality and origin of products. 89% of the French say they are ready to boycott a brand due to lack of information on the source or quality of products (Source: Fevad). It is thus important to know your audience and adapt the products you offer according to their expectations.

The complete guide to increasing the revenue of your sports complex