24 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
24 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Building website for fitness/gym

by Social Guy
20 replies
Hi fellow warriors,

With my search on the WF for 'fitness' I found a lot of people who make money in this niche. Most of the time they make money with clickbank/affiliate etc.

I have a new client and I'm going to build a website for his gym. It is a cool gym with 1000 members (60% female 40% male so a nice balance between them )

I do not want to create 'just another site' but want to provide the best service we can offer. So I want to give the site some IM love that I find here on the forum.

My plan:
- Create a nice looking and responsive website.
- Some keyword research (fitness in hometown, weight loss in hometown etc.)
- Make sure the owner is going to blog about weight lose with the help from a good healthy diet and off-course use the gym.
- That he uses Facebook with links back to his website.
- Maybe contact some of his suppliers so they can deliver stock images to complete his site.

Is there anything else I can offer him that fits nice in this niche? The owner doesn't want a webshop

Thanks for your insights!
#building #fitness or gym #website
  • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
    Videos with tips and exercise routines/examples.
    Signature
    Promise Big.
    Deliver Bigger.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6838571].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Social Guy
      Originally Posted by Eddie Spangler View Post

      Videos with tips and exercise routines/examples.
      Nice tip! We thought about this (not with video but with extra pages). Maybe we can create QR codes and attach them to the workout machines with an url to that page/video
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6838615].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
        Originally Posted by Social Guy View Post

        Nice tip! We thought about this (not with video but with extra pages). Maybe we can create QR codes and attach them to the workout machines with an url to that page/video
        Yeah thats good one, so many people do these exercises wrong, not to mention that adjusting certain machines can be tricky. You can probably figure out a way to slyly sneak in a message for the juice bar or whatever they are selling.
        In fact you can use certain video apps to overlay banners and such that can be changed over time without messing with the actual video.
        Signature
        Promise Big.
        Deliver Bigger.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6838678].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Baadier Sydow
        Originally Posted by Social Guy View Post

        Nice tip! We thought about this (not with video but with extra pages). Maybe we can create QR codes and attach them to the workout machines with an url to that page/video
        I think this a really clever use of QR codes and an easy way to add more value to the gym members experience.
        Signature
        Baadier Sydow
        Budget Furniture

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6842476].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mojo1
    Maybe some sort of contest, videos and a rating reviews plugin would help too.

    Anyone with workout discipline would probably like to be recognized via contest. The video and rating reviews would allow members to have a voice about their experience.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6838628].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author tenantscreening
    I agree you can include training videos like zumba, or aerobics. Create a weekly diet plan to your gym members offer some discount coupon. Host a blog giveaways focus on local blogger.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6838644].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author gsx750esd
    How about some sort of members area where they can share tips and discuss things away from the gym. Can be moderated by Gym staff and provide an area to let the members know of "members only" specials.....
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6838653].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Social Guy
    Thanks for the tips everybody! I just returned from my client. We have a deal and I did not even got to mention all the tips I see here so I will keep them in my pocket for future upgrades
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6841342].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Langeani
    About the blogging, you could just buy a PLR about weight loss, or some product on working out, you name it, and drip-feeding the content on the blog, once a week, once every 15 days, or whatever you like, that way you got a long time worth of content.

    Also, make sure you get everything linked-up, that is, facebook fan page with link to the site, site where u can like the fan page directly from there, youtube as well, every video with branding and links to site and Facebook...

    That way, I believe you're giving incredible value to your client. Other than that, you can work with promotions on facebook, to get the traffic up.

    Cheers and good luck!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6842425].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author shane_k
      Originally Posted by Langenuts View Post

      About the blogging, you could just buy a PLR about weight loss, or some product on working out, you name it, and drip-feeding the content on the blog, once a week, once every 15 days, or whatever you like, that way you got a long time worth of content.
      No, most gym owners would not want you to offer plr content or even allow you to offer that to their clientele because in this niche there are very clear cut legal issues when it comes to who can provide health information to their clientele.

      Not only that but this gym more than likely has several pesonal trainers so the op should just leverage all of their knowledge. Certified Personal Trainers (I am one myself) are way more skilled, informed, and knowledgable than anything that you will find in any plr content anyday.

      Other than that I do like your idea of drip feeding content to a blog. Have the pesonal trainers create the articles and drip feed that info. Cool.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6845213].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author somacorellc
    I have a gym/personal trainer client - let me lay out some stuff that we're doing.
    1. Secure site for selling tshirts, supplements, and kettlebells + other equipment
    2. Private Member forums
    3. Private members area (login and pass needed)
    4. Partnerships with local companies to offer fitness training classes, wellness programs, etc.
    5. Partnerships with companies like cooking schools for a "healthy cooking" video series.
    I'm sure there's more we're doing but that's all I can think of off the top of my head.
    Signature
    Web Design Columbia SC
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6843022].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Social Guy
      Originally Posted by somacorellc View Post

      I have a gym/personal trainer client - let me lay out some stuff that we're doing.
      1. Secure site for selling tshirts, supplements, and kettlebells + other equipment
      2. Private Member forums
      3. Private members area (login and pass needed)
      4. Partnerships with local companies to offer fitness training classes, wellness programs, etc.
      5. Partnerships with companies like cooking schools for a "healthy cooking" video series.
      I'm sure there's more we're doing but that's all I can think of off the top of my head.
      Nice tips, thanks! Do you use Wordpress for this member site? If yes could you please guide me to the plugins/methods you use?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6843044].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author somacorellc
        Originally Posted by Social Guy View Post

        Nice tips, thanks! Do you use Wordpress for this member site? If yes could you please guide me to the plugins/methods you use?
        Yeah I'm using Wordpress + S2member (s2Member® | A powerful (free) membership plugin for WordPress®) + SSL Cert for the secure shopping cart.

        S2member has a pretty steep learning curve but it's totally worth it. You can do literally anything with a member's area with that software.

        Edit: Also using Gravity Forms for forms and Cart66 for the shopping cart.
        Signature
        Web Design Columbia SC
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6843056].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author shane_k
    As someone who has worked in a gym for many years most clients are found in a few ways.

    Walk-ins, Referrals, Lead Boxes that are put in other businesses, Cold calling, Follow up calls to people who used a free 7 day pass, and Print Advertising.

    Here is what I would do if I were you.
    1) Create a site that has 2-3 membership levels.
    The first level is a free level for the general public and will offer a free 7 day pass and basic information about the gym. The goal is to get the public into the gym either through that basic info or through the 7 day pass

    The second level is for people who are using that 7 day pass. You give them the password for that section and they can view videos, read articles, etc. What you want to do is to ask the business owner what are the most common objections, and those videos, articles and other content will deal with those objections. It will also be educating them on the benefits of exercise and living a healthy lifestyle. The goal of this level is to provide more value than the other clubs down the street who also offer a free 7 day pass. And to increase the level of desire for these 7 day pass members to buy a membership.

    The third level is strictly for personal training clients. You can have nutrition articles, proper form and technique videos, fat burning tips, etc. This level is to maximize the value for personal training clients as these are your biggest spenders. The more successful they are the better because they become walking advertisements for that gym.

    What I would also do is to offer the gym email marketing. Most will tell you that they already capture the email addresses for their clients, and they do when a client first signs up for a membership, but they don’t market to them properly

    You want 2 different email marketing lists for a gym. The first will be targeted at those who signed up for a free 7 day pass, and what you will be doing is to offer some of the videos, articles, nutrition tips, etc all in an effort to get them back into the gym and buy a membership.

    The second will be targeted to those who have shown an interest in personal training. What the gym can do is to offer up a free prize or free 1 hour session with a personal trainer and to get that they have to opt-in for that list. Then you have the personal trainers write articles or create a video on proper back exercise, or best ab exercise, or best fat burning exercise, etc. And that is the kind of content you provide to that list. The goal for this list obviously is to increase the amount of people who sign up for personal training.

    So 3 membership levels, and 2 email marketing lists.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6845189].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Social Guy
      Originally Posted by shane_k View Post

      As someone who has worked in a gym for many years most clients are found in a few ways.

      Walk-ins, Referrals, Lead Boxes that are put in other businesses, Cold calling, Follow up calls to people who used a free 7 day pass, and Print Advertising.

      Here is what I would do if I were you.
      1) Create a site that has 2-3 membership levels.
      The first level is a free level for the general public and will offer a free 7 day pass and basic information about the gym. The goal is to get the public into the gym either through that basic info or through the 7 day pass

      The second level is for people who are using that 7 day pass. You give them the password for that section and they can view videos, read articles, etc. What you want to do is to ask the business owner what are the most common objections, and those videos, articles and other content will deal with those objections. It will also be educating them on the benefits of exercise and living a healthy lifestyle. The goal of this level is to provide more value than the other clubs down the street who also offer a free 7 day pass. And to increase the level of desire for these 7 day pass members to buy a membership.

      The third level is strictly for personal training clients. You can have nutrition articles, proper form and technique videos, fat burning tips, etc. This level is to maximize the value for personal training clients as these are your biggest spenders. The more successful they are the better because they become walking advertisements for that gym.

      What I would also do is to offer the gym email marketing. Most will tell you that they already capture the email addresses for their clients, and they do when a client first signs up for a membership, but they don't market to them properly

      You want 2 different email marketing lists for a gym. The first will be targeted at those who signed up for a free 7 day pass, and what you will be doing is to offer some of the videos, articles, nutrition tips, etc all in an effort to get them back into the gym and buy a membership.

      The second will be targeted to those who have shown an interest in personal training. What the gym can do is to offer up a free prize or free 1 hour session with a personal trainer and to get that they have to opt-in for that list. Then you have the personal trainers write articles or create a video on proper back exercise, or best ab exercise, or best fat burning exercise, etc. And that is the kind of content you provide to that list. The goal for this list obviously is to increase the amount of people who sign up for personal training.

      So 3 membership levels, and 2 email marketing lists.
      Thanks again for this post! I just printed your info and will get some ideas implemented on the site
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6912947].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sander Zaydman
    Hey, I have a site I am working on that is in the Fitness industry. It is getting 3 new opt ins per day. PM me if you want more details on the site.
    Signature

    Now sure how much to charge for your local marketing services?
    Add me on Facebook and I'll give you access to my Local Marketing Consultant Group....

    www.facebook.com/sander.zaydman

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6845351].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sbrettoncm
    Building a website is not an easy task as it seems to be. You have to consider many things while developing it or planning your website development project with any website designer or so. Make sure you make a website which allows your clients visit every page and select your exercise plan and schedule on their own. You should also make it a point so that your clients pay their membership fees online.
    Signature

    Sally Bretton
    Mobile eCommerce Software

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6847158].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mrmut
    can anyone show a sample site. i am starting a new site for a client and looking for plugins and themes for gyms

    thank you
    Signature

    Building a online empire starts with that first site

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7149225].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author iamrichard
    it might be too late, but if i were, i would do a few video testimonials from his existing members....social proof is huge and it will gain instant credibility and trust...it is much better than an interview with the owner.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7149398].message }}

Trending Topics