As Golfers Shift Online, Strong Digital
Strategies Are Crucial for Course Success
60% of golfers
ages 18-34 said they actively follow golf courses on social
media
64% of golfers discover new courses on social media
with an additional 7% who always use this channel to find new
courses they want to play
MONTREAL, Sept. 19,
2024 /CNW/ - Lightspeed Commerce Inc. (NYSE: LSPD)
(TSX: LSPD) ("Lightspeed"), the unified commerce platform
powering merchants to provide the best omnichannel experiences,
today released data that highlights the need for golf courses to
maintain a strong online presence in order to grow their business.
According to new survey data from Lightspeed, 75% of golfers
believe it's important or very important for golf courses to offer
a good website experience, and nearly half (49%) say a strong
online presence is important or very important.
"With golfers increasingly using digital channels to engage with
courses, having a well-optimized online presence can help drive
bookings and customer loyalty – this is why we offer Digital
Marketing Solutions (DMS) as part of Lightspeed Golf," said
David Hope, General Manager, Golf at
Lightspeed. "Our data shows that golf courses embracing digital
marketing strategies like DMS are seeing significant results, from
heightened visibility to increased rounds and sales."
The data also shows that social media engagement and website
performance can contribute to a course's ability to attract new
players and keep regular golfers coming back. Lightspeed Golf data
reveals that the longer courses are live with DMS, generally the
more success they can have in driving engagement, sales and
bookings. After their initial three months, courses that were live
with DMS between 90 and 180 days saw a 64.6% increase in Facebook
reach and a 142% increase in website sessions.
Courses that have partnered with Lightspeed's Digital Marketing
Solutions have seen significant growth in online interactions,
translating into real-world benefits like increased bookings and
greater customer retention. With the rise of social media and
online discovery, the traditional methods of attracting golfers are
evolving. Golf courses that aren't leveraging digital marketing are
missing out on an opportunity to connect with both new and
returning customers.
"Digital marketing isn't just about visibility; it's about
creating meaningful connections with golfers and driving
engagement," added JD Saint-Martin, President of Lightspeed. "As we
see more players discovering courses through online channels and
social media, Lightspeed's tools are designed to help operators
harness these trends—whether through targeted campaigns or
personalized offers—to drive bookings and grow their business."
Unlock your golf course's full potential with Lightspeed's
Digital Marketing Solutions here —empowering you with the tools and
insights to elevate your digital marketing strategy.
Methodology
The information in this press release is partly derived from
a survey of more than 300 North Americans conducted
throughout June 2024 by Lightspeed
using third party survey vendor User Testing. Information herein is
also derived from data from courses powered by Lightspeed's Digital
Marketing Solutions for the period of July
2022 to September 2024.
About Lightspeed
Powering the businesses that are the backbone of the global
economy, Lightspeed's one-stop commerce platform helps merchants
innovate to simplify, scale, and provide exceptional customer
experiences. Our cloud commerce solution transforms and unifies
online and physical operations, multichannel sales, expansion to
new locations, global payments, financial solutions and connection
to supplier networks.
Lightspeed powers the world's best businesses in Golf, including
Founders Group International, Landscapes Golf Management,
KemperSports, TPC Myrtle Beach, The Sea Pines Resort, Cape
Kidnappers and Advance Golf Partners.
Dive into the transformative features of Lightspeed Golf on
our website.
Follow us on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram,
YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter).
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may include forward-looking information and
forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable
securities laws ("forward-looking statements").
Forward-looking statements are statements that are predictive in
nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions and are
identified by words such as "will", "expects", "anticipates",
"intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates" or similar expressions
concerning matters that are not historical facts. Such statements
are based on current expectations of Lightspeed's management and
inherently involve numerous risks and uncertainties, known and
unknown, including economic factors. A number of risks,
uncertainties and other factors may cause actual results to differ
materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this
news release, including, among other factors, those risk factors
identified in our most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under "Risk
Factors" in our most recent Annual Information Form, and in our
other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities
and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are
available under our profiles on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on
EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned to consider these and
other factors carefully when making decisions with respect to
Lightspeed's subordinate voting shares and not to place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
contained in this news release are not guarantees of future
performance and, while forward-looking statements are based on
certain assumptions that Lightspeed considers reasonable, actual
events and results could differ materially from those expressed or
implied by forward-looking statements made by Lightspeed. Except as
may be expressly required by applicable law, Lightspeed does not
undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any such
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
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SOURCE Lightspeed Commerce Inc.