Your number-one focus will always be putting your heart and soul into creating a fantastic gym for your members. But your gym’s reputation isn’t just built within your four walls; it extends to today’s vast online world.
That’s where the power of online views can take your business to the next level and show people why they should choose your gym. According to studies, a whopping 99.9% of consumers read online reviews before making a decision.
Your gym’s reputation is essentially at the fingertips of your community members, so let’s explore how to manage your gym’s reputation by building a reliable online review generation system.
Step 1: Provide an Exceptional Experience
The foundation of a positive online reputation is delivering a second-to-none offline experience. Focus on delivering top-notch customer service, maintaining a clean and welcoming environment, and offering fitness programs that keep members engaged. Happy clients are more likely to share their positive experiences online, so keep member satisfaction at the forefront of everything you do.
Step 2: Claim Your Online Listings
Make sure your gym is listed on popular review platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook. Even if you don’t have anyone ready to leave a review just yet, claim your business name on these platforms to get control over the information available to potential reviewers. Consistent and accurate information builds trust among your audience.
Step 3: Ask for Feedback
Now for the part that sometimes stops gym owners from going any further – don’t be afraid to ask your satisfied members for their feedback! Create a system where your staff regularly ask members to share their experiences online. You can create a designated review station at your gym or follow up with a friendly automated email post-workout. Let them know their opinion matters to you.
Step 4: Make It Easy to Leave Reviews
Similarly to the buying process, the more complicated a process is, the less likely people are to complete the action. Make sure the review process is as simple as possible by providing direct links to review profiles in follow-up emails or on your member portal. You should also decide whether you want members to simply leave a rating or spend a bit more time writing a testimonial. Either way, the easier it is for people to leave reviews, the more likely they are to do so.
Step 5: Respond to Reviews (Yes, All of Them)
Both positive and negative reviews deserve your attention. Responding shows that you value feedback and are committed to improvement. For positive reviews, express gratitude and make your clients feel appreciated. For negative reviews, address concerns politely, offer solutions, and show that you are actively working to resolve issues. More tips on how to manage negative feedback here.
Step 6: Share Your Positive Reviews
You’ve worked hard to generate a batch of lovely positive reviews, so make sure you share them! Feature them on your website, social media, and any appropriate promotional assets. Positive testimonials act as powerful marketing tools, both in attracting new members and boosting your gym’s credibility.
Step 7: Monitor and Adjust
Keep a close eye on your online reputation. Set up Google Alerts or use online reputation management tools to receive notifications when your gym is mentioned. Regularly evaluate your review-generation strategy and make adjustments based on feedback and what your members are most comfortable doing.
Above all, remember that your gym’s reputation will be continually evolving and there won’t be a point when the work is done. But by consistently providing an outstanding experience, actively seeking feedback, and engaging with your community online, you’ll be well on your way to building a rock-solid online reputation that reflects the fantastic gym you’ve worked so hard to build.
ClubRight is the go-to member management software for independent gyms, taking care of everything from membership management and billing to class bookings and online joining – plus a whole lot more. Give us a call today on +44 (0)203 884 977 or book a free online demo with one of our product experts to find out why we’re trusted by more than 850+ fitness businesses across the UK.
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