How do I test a training studio’s booking software before taking it over?
Ask for a login with the access level you will have as owner, then run a booking, a cancellation and a payment yourself. Check that client data exports cleanly and that the account and billing are in the studio’s name, not an individual’s.
Request a walkthrough with admin access during the diligence period, ideally in a test or demonstration mode if the software allows it. Book a class, cancel one, put a client on a waitlist, and check what notifications go out. Then process a small payment and a refund to see where the money lands and how long it takes to appear.
Next, look at ownership. The account should belong to the business, with the seller’s staff holding logins, not the other way around. Ask who pays for the subscription, whether any add-ons are billed to a personal card, and what happens to the account if the owner changes. Contact the vendor’s support to ask how transfers work before you commit, because policies differ.
Finally, test the data. Export the client list, packages, attendance history and payment records, then open the files to see whether they are complete and usable. Ask whether recurring memberships will keep billing smoothly after the changeover or require clients to re-enter details. Your lawyer can advise on how the client information should be handled and transferred. Keep a short written list of every integration, such as payment processors and email tools, so nothing quietly stops working on takeover day.
Key takeaways
- Run a real booking, cancellation and payment before closing, not just a demonstration.
- Confirm the account, billing and logins belong to the business.
- Export client and payment data early and check that it opens and is complete.
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Succession
Selling
Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat are the steps to buying a business?
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