As a youth sports administrator, you know better than anyone how tough it can be to keep your organization running. There are countless details to manage, from schedules to equipment to scores. One of the most time-consuming aspects of the job, however, is registering participants and collecting payments. In the past, the only way to accept registration fees was to do so in person. However, with advancements in technology, youth sports management platforms such as TeamLinkt, offer online registration and payment options. Let’s explore a comparison of online and offline payments for youth sports organization registration: convenience, security, and cost.

Online vs Offline Payments for Youth Sports Registration in TeamLinkt

With registration forms you'll be able to select whether you want to receive payments online, through offline methods, or a combination of the two.

Online Registration Payments:

Registrants pay via credit card to complete your registration form.

Standard credit card processing fees are applied to this payment. These rates can be found under Registration > Banking Transactions > Banking Information.

Option 1: Pay Now

The Pay now option requires payment at the time of registration

Option 2: Pay Later

This option allows the youth sports organization to request payment at a later date by sending an email to all unpaid participants

In order to accept online payments, a Stripe Account must be connected to your TeamLinkt account. This is how you will receive payment, manage refunds, etc. Learn how to connect your TeamLinkt account to Stripe HERE

 Offline Registration Payments:

Registrants will be able to complete the form and the league or association collected payment via offline methods (cash, cheque, etc). These payments need to be collected and recorded manually in the system.

Here are the Benefits of Online and Offline Payments for Youth Sports Registration

1. Convenience of Online Payments

Online payments are convenient for both the youth sports administrators and the participants. Participants can register and pay from the comfort of their own homes, without having to spend time travelling to the registration office, sending transfers, etc. Sports administrators can collect payments without having to handle cash or cheques. You can also view registration and payment history online. In contrast, offline payments require the sports organization to create a registration form, handle the paperwork, wait on participants to hand over the cheque. As well as spend time organizing and tracking all of the payments.

87% of registrants choose online when given the option, helping you grow your registration numbers!

2. Security of Online Payments During Registration

Online payments are more secure than offline payments because they utilize encryption technology to protect sensitive information, such as credit card details. Online payment providers must comply with security standards, ensuring that online payments are very safe. In contrast, cheques and cash have the potential of being lost or stolen, creating a potential headache for youth sports organizations.

3. Cost

Online payments can be cheaper than offline payments, They eliminate the need for physical transaction costs, such as printing and postage expenses for paper-based registrations. Payment processing fees are usually a percentage of the payment received, but through TeamLinkt sports organizations can pass the fee on to the participant, reducing the financial burden on the youth sports organization. Online payments save time for sports administrators, which can ultimately result in more revenue for the organization.

TeamLinkt also allows youth sports organizations to set up their online registration to offer early bird discounts and payment plans to help parents save money, and budget for their children's sports. This can ultimately increase registration numbers!

4. Integration with the Online Youth Sports Ecosystem

Payments made through online registration websites such as TeamLinkt, can help youth sports organizations manage their operations more efficiently. The sports organization can manage all of these operations, from scheduling and communications to registration and payment processing, in TeamLinkt's all-in-one sports management platform. Integrating the online payment process into this ecosystem can save sports organizations time and improve the overall experience for parents and participants.

5. Accessibility of Both Online and Offline Payments for Youth Sports Registration

Offline payments can be a better option for some participants who are not familiar or comfortable with technology. These individuals may prefer to pay via cash or cheque rather than going through an online payment portal. In order to accommodate such individuals, sports administrators may need to provide alternative payment options that cater to these needs.

When setting up online registration, youth sports organizations are able to select whether they want to receive payments online, through offline methods, or a combination of the two.

In this blog, we have outlined a comparison of online and offline payments for youth sports organization registration: convenience, security, and cost. Online payments can provide a lot of benefits to sports organizations including convenience, security, cost reduction, and integration with the online ecosystem. However, sports administrators must also consider the accessibility factors of all participants involved. Offline payments still have a significant role to play in the sports registration industry but online payments are rapidly gaining acceptance and popularity. By using TeamLinkt's technology and understanding the unique needs of your participants, you can provide the best possible user experience for everyone involved!