Streamline Wellness Business Management with MindBody POS

MindBody Overview

In 2001, Rick Stollmeyer and Blake Beltram co-founded MindBody Inc. The company developed MindBody POS to offer reliable technological tools to business owners for managing, marketing, and expanding their enterprises. Founded in San Luis Obispo, California’s Central Coast, their focus remains on professionals and companies in the fitness, beauty, and wellness industries.

Since their establishment, the company has become a reputable multi-location enterprise with about 14 offices worldwide. They now serve over 65,000 wellness businesses with millions of consumers in over 140 countries.

As part of their growth strategy, the provider has acquired various companies since 2015, including ClientMagic, Fitness Mobile Apps, HealCode, FitMetrix, Booker Software, and ClassPass. They have also won several awards and received notable mentions, such as the 2012 Inc. Hire Power Award and the 2017 Global Mobile Award for Best Mobile App.

What Features & Services Do They Offer?

This cloud-based point-of-sale and business management tool offers many essential functionalities tailored to the needs of the wellness industry. The availability of the features depends on the package you choose, but the most significant characteristics of the MindBody POS system are below.

• POS software: With their cloud-based software, businesses can streamline customer onboarding, payment processing, and revenue growth. For straightforward purchases, you can use features like autopay membership and card on file
• Hardware: The provider offers POS hardware devices compatible with the software. These products include cash registers, mobile and wired barcode scanners, credit card magnetic readers, receipt printers, and mobile credit card readers.
• Mobile app: Want to use your phone or tablet as a point of sale? This provider makes it possible to use a smartphone or tablet-compatible card reader that works with Android and iOS operating systems. The card syncs to your device through the Mindbody Business App, which functions just like the terminal. This way, you can even accept payments using your mobile device at your convenience
• Payment processing: Their system supports various payment methods, including debt, credit cards, Mastercard, Google and Apple Pay, Amex, and Samsung Pay. You can receive the payments in person, through their app, smartphone, or tablet
• Recurring billing: While still on payments, you can manage memberships and automate billing, which is done by setting up recurring billing based on your membership model. The software will automatically bill your customers for their preferred package without you lifting a finger
• Online booking: The platform’s booker tool allows customers to book classes or appointments online. They also have a 24/7 AI front desk that responds to customers’ missed calls through text, books appointments automatically, and answers client questions via SMS and web chat
• Check-in: If you need to track attendance, the system allows you to sign in for your clients when they attend the pre-registered sessions or arrive to use your facility. For those who are short on admin staff, there’s the option to allow clients to check themselves in or sign in, and even purchase scannable key tags to help customers check themselves in easily, especially in gyms and yoga studios
• Reminders: Staying on top of your clients’ bookings is crucial to avoid “no-shows” or multiple appointments simultaneously and during the day. Some of their packages include an automated email/text reminder system informing clients about upcoming appointments and other crucial details. These reminders are only sent to those who opted in to "Reminders and Notifications" and can only be sent once
• Waitlist: If you have maximum client limits, this software allows you to activate waitlists. This option ensures any open spot is filled up automatically from the waitlist if someone who is registered cancels their reservation
• Facebook booking: You can create the “Book Now” call-to-action button on Meta and link it to your MindBody platform business. Customers can easily find, book, and pay for your services or classes. Additionally, if you have a business schedule, you can also display it on your Facebook page
• Reporting: The analytics and reporting feature is available with all the packages, although the robustness varies by the plan you choose. The reports cover all crucial areas, including sales and payments, payroll, performance, and attendance
• App integrations: Their software integrates with several products and apps, including accounting, website builders, and loyalty program tools, to help users find services that help them extend the software's use. Some of the well-known third-party integrations for this system are Loop Spark, FlexBooks, LiveEdit, and Perkville. You can also use their public APIs to retrieve different types of information and build customized software that integrates with their platform
• Marketing: Mindbody also has tools like Frederick and Promote that you can use to draw in new customers and retain the ones you already have engaged. These marketing tools include introduction offers, promotions, loyalty programs, targeted emails and texts, review rewards, and the capability to request feedback through messages

Pricing & Plans

Mindbody provides four pricing packages that determine the features you can access. The available functionalities within each plan also vary slightly depending on the industry sector you select from the fitness, salon, spa, and integrative health options.

In addition, the official website does not provide specific pricing details for each package. Instead, they offer the opportunity to obtain a quote for the specific plan you are interested in subscribing to.

These subscription plans are:

• Starter: This is the most basic option but includes more limitations. For instance, you cannot incentivize referrals, prompt clients to post reviews, create a branded mobile app, or build emails with customizable templates. However, you can utilize the basic essential functionality, which includes listing your business on the MindBody app, scheduling appointments and resources, managing staff and clients, tracking client history and details, using digital forms for check-in, and running basic reports
• Accelerate: With this option, you can access everything in the Starter plan plus run comprehensive reports, reach the target audience with smart contract lists, and build emails with customizable templates. Like the basic plan, you still can't prompt clients to post reviews, incentivize referrals, or automate email marketing. However, there's an option to create your own branded mobile app as an add-on
• Ultimate: This package allows you to access everything in the Accelerate plan and adds the ability to prompt clients to post reviews, automate email marketing, and incentivize referrals
• Ultimate Plus: The company's highest-tier package allows you to access all the features they offer
• Add-ons: If you'd rather not modify your entire plan just to get a single feature, you can purchase it as an add-on. You must pay more to access features like the AI Booking Assistant or to create your own branded app  

The Advantages of Working With Mindbody

Feature-rich offerings

Those in the spa, fitness, salon, and alternative health industries can benefit from their many benefits. Their products and services, which include compatibility with various hardware, mobile POS solutions, automated billing, online booking, and marketing tools, help to maximize efficiency, satisfy customers, and fuel business expansion.

Flexible payment options

Customers using MindBody POS can pay with various options, including major credit cards, debit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and American Express.

Excellent booking capabilities

With their system, client bookings, waitlists, and appointment reminders are all handled efficiently. Due to the intuitive interface, businesses can effortlessly stay in touch with their customers and arrange their schedules.

Staff scheduling

Your team can simply manage their schedules from any device and change their availability whenever necessary. Flexibility and convenience are guaranteed, which allows team members to coordinate seamlessly and allocate resources efficiently.

Free demo

Businesses can test their software for free by requesting a demo before buying it. Before deciding, they can evaluate the user experience and try out the features themselves.

Why You Might Not Work With Them?

Lack of transparency

Although they mention they have four pricing plans and add-ons, businesses may find it difficult to assess the software's cost-effectiveness and compare it to other alternatives due to the lack of detailed pricing information.

No trial period

Unfortunately, unlike many other POS providers, they do not offer a trial period. This prevents companies from doing thorough software compatibility and integration tests before purchasing.

Reports of system glitches

Another potential drawback is the existence of customer reviews reporting occasional glitches within the system. Companies that depend on their POS system to run smoothly and without interruption may find these occurrences problematic.

User Reviews & Testimonials

MindBody has received mixed reviews from past and current users across different platforms. The BBB does not accredit them, although they received an A. Additionally, they have garnered a 4.4 out of 5 on Trustpilot, a 3.6 out of 5 on G2, and a 7.8 out of 10 on TrustRadius.

Some users appreciate the good customer service response times, mobile app for running the business on the go, seamless checkout, scheduling capabilities, and marketing features. Customers across various platforms also praised their thorough reports, check-in functionalities, numerous integrations, efficient online booking, and customizable reports. Overall, satisfaction with the extensiveness of the functionality available is evident on almost all the customer review platforms.

While some users praise their helpful and quick support team, others have complained of long wait times. Other customers have also experienced challenges with the system, such as glitches, an outdated user interface, a steep learning curve, confusing refunds and returns, billing without consent, and higher processing fees. However, the most common complaint they have gotten is the price, highlighting that they are not the most affordable option for the wellness industry.

The company acknowledged and apologized to certain customers on the platform. Based on the feedback, the support team resolved most issues, and the company emphasized that they would follow up with those whose issues were still unresolved.

Customer Support & Services

You can access MindBody’s US customer support team via phone at 877-755-4279, in-software help, and a contact form on the company's website. The phone number varies by region, and so does the availability. America's clients can get phone support from 8 AM to 8 PM ET Monday through Sunday, while Asia Pacific user's hours are 7 AM to 7 PM Australia time. In Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, phone support hours are 7 AM to 7 PM GMT.

Additionally, they offer a page to search for resources, paid one-on-one consulting, premium account management, a community, and a blog for business-running ideas and insights.

Conclusion

MindBody’s cloud-based POS and business management tool is a comprehensive and feature-rich product for running a business in the health and wellness niche. This system's core functionalities include appointment or class scheduling and online bookings due to the nature of wellness businesses such as spas, gyms, yoga studios, and integrated health clinics. The extensive list of features tailored for the wellness industry and seamless integrations with several tools make the software shine compared to other options.

Customers considering purchasing can get an idea of the service by requesting a demo. A further benefit for those working in these industries is the portability of mobile devices as POS systems.

However, whether MindBody POS will be the tool that helps you grow your client base and revenue comes down to your business goals and needs. Feel free to explore more reviews from past and current users, especially those running a similar business, to understand their authentic experience with the system.

You can also read our other POS system reviews and compare them against each other to find the best Mindbody alternative. Don't forget to check out our thorough and insightful blog posts to stay on top of all things business.

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