Memberships: how to increase repeat visits and stabilize revenue

Memberships in Altegio allow businesses to sell service packages in advance and encourage clients to return regularly. The client pays upfront and comes back again, while the business gets predictable income and a more stable schedule. Below, we’ll look at which membership formats are available in Altegio and how each of them helps with client retention and revenue growth.

Why Businesses Need Memberships #

A client with a membership behaves differently from someone who pays for each visit separately. They have already invested money and are motivated to return in order to use the visits they have paid for. For the business, this means more predictable demand, steadier cash flow, and fewer empty slots in the schedule.

Memberships work especially well for businesses where clients come regularly: beauty salons, massage studios, cosmetology offices, fitness studios, and educational centers.

Types of Memberships for Different Business Models #

In Altegio, you can create memberships in two formats.

A standard membership is a fixed number of visits with a defined validity period. For example, a client buys a membership for 10 massage sessions and uses them over three months. This is the classic format for studios with recurring services.

A membership with auto-renewal provides recurring access to a service and is automatically renewed at the end of each period. Payments can be conveniently charged to the client’s saved card. This format is suitable for businesses that operate on a subscription model.

Flexible Setup: A Membership for Specific Services #

A membership can be linked to a specific type of service or configured with a shared balance of visits for several different services.

A separate balance means one visit is deducted only for a specific service. For example, a manicure membership can only be used for manicure services.

A shared balance means one visit is deducted from the membership regardless of the selected service. This is convenient when a client wants to alternate between different treatments within one package.

The cost of services when paid with a membership is usually lower than the standard price list. This is standard practice for package offers, and clients see it as an additional reason to buy.

Validity Period and Freeze Option: The Membership Doesn’t Go to Waste #

A validity period can be configured for each membership type: days, weeks, months, or a year. If needed, the validity period can be made unlimited.

The validity period can start either from the first visit or from the moment of sale — depending on the setup. This is important, for example, when a client buys a membership in advance but is not yet ready to start using it.

If a client gets sick or goes away, the membership can be frozen. The validity period is paused and resumes after the freeze is lifted. The client knows their paid visits will not disappear, and this directly affects how much they trust the business and how willing they are to buy a membership again.

Online Sales: Memberships Can Be Purchased Without Administrator Involvement #

If a membership is available for online sale, the client can purchase it independently at any time through the online booking widget. The payment is automatically recorded in the system.

For example, a client remembers about the membership on a Sunday evening and buys it in just a few minutes. The business receives payment without any administrator involvement, and the client can already book their first visit the next day.

Notifications: The Client Knows in Time When the Membership Is Ending #

The system automatically sends a notification to the client when the membership is about to expire. It can be configured to send a reminder a few days before expiration or when only one visit remains. This reminder arrives at the right time and becomes a reason to buy a new membership without a break.

Memberships for Multi-Branch Networks #

Memberships are configured centrally in the network interface. You can choose which branches each membership type is valid in. A client can buy a membership in one branch and use it in another. This is especially relevant in cities where a company has several locations and clients choose whichever one is most convenient on a given day.

Reporting: How Many Memberships Have Been Sold and How Many Have Been Used #

Altegio provides reporting for memberships. A business can see how many memberships have been sold, how many are active, how many visits clients have left, and what volume of obligations is still outstanding. This helps with planning workload and understanding where membership promotion should be strengthened.

How to Set Up Memberships #

To create membership types, configure online sales, freezing, notifications, and reporting, use the instructions in the articles in the Memberships section. Each step is described separately, so you can set things up one by one or return to the necessary point whenever needed.