How to build a successful fitness franchise
Starting a fitness franchise can be exciting. However, before you open your doors, it is essential to plan and market your business effectively. The success of your business can be heavily influenced by how well you plan upfront, so whether you are starting a gym, yoga classes or another fitness business, you want to get your business structure right. In this article, we look at six key things you need to get right when starting a fitness franchise.
Carry out market research
This is a vital part of any business journey – finding out whether there is any interest in your business idea. You need to understand what your potential customers are looking for in a fitness franchise, and how you might be able to adapt your business offering to meet their specific needs. You may already know where you plan to set up your fitness franchise. If so, conduct your market research in this area and adapt your plan accordingly. On the other hand, you might already have an idea for the type of business you want to run. In this situation, it may mean finding a specific location where that type of business will work. A good example is where you plan to run trend-led fitness classes, you will want to be sure there are plenty of young people interested in ever-changing trends. A university or college area could be a good location for such a business.
Once you have a good understanding of what your potential customers want, you need to take a look at your competitors too. What do successful fitness businesses in your local area have in common? What challenges do these businesses face? You may want to read their reviews to spot anything that their customers particularly like or dislike. For example, parking, excellent transport links, cleanliness and opening hours can all impact the success of your business.
Find a great property
Once you have decided on the geographical location of your new business venture, you will need to find some great real estate to make your dream a reality. It is vital to keep your market research in mind and understand what your customers’ priorities are. People often struggle to fit exercise into their busy lives, so it is essential you make it as convenient as possible for them to do so. Giving your potential customers the opportunity to visit your premises on their way to or from work is a major selling point for any fitness business.
Create a welcoming culture
Investing time in building your values and culture can make all the difference to the success of your business. People want to feel part of a community and have fun when going to the gym or attending a class. Creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere will help attract new clients and keep existing clients coming back again and again.
Consider the unique selling points of your fitness franchise, what sets you apart from your competitors? How can you ensure that your customers have a positive experience every time they visit your premises? Considering these questions is particularly important in the fitness sector, as many people find gyms and fitness clubs quite intimidating.
Make booking straightforward
Having a seamless booking experience may seem simple, but you would be surprised how much of an impact it can have on the success of your fitness franchise. People expect to be able to book activities on the go, perhaps while commuting or on the way home from work. Your customers will greatly appreciate the convenience of a simple online booking system that is optimised for mobile or app-based. If you make it easy enough to book classes or gym sessions with just a few click, this can help attract customers and put you ahead of your competition.
Make the most of social media
Fitness is huge on social media, and as a result, franchise social media advertising and strategy is essential to the success of your business. You should create a social media strategy before you launch your business so that when you finally open for membership, you already have a group of followers waiting to join you. You can use Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to promote your business venture by simply setting up a business profile and getting started. You should post regularly and consistently to encourage customers to visit, but also provide inspiration and advice. There are plenty of resources and tools online to help you make the most of social media, and getting it right can make all the difference.
Are you ready to start your fitness franchise?
Browse the opportunities we have here at Franchise UK. Whether you are looking to start a gym, yoga classes, outdoor fitness sessions or any other types of fitness franchises, we are sure we have the opportunity for you.