What does MyBizGrade check?

We analyze your website speed, SEO tags, Google reviews, social media presence, and accessibility. Each area gets its own score and letter grade.

How is the grade calculated?

Each category is scored from 0 to 100 based on real data from your site. The overall grade is a weighted average across all five categories.

Yes, the full audit and grade are completely free. You can upgrade to a Pro report with copy-paste fixes for $39 if you want help improving.

What's in the Pro report?

You get a priority action plan, copy-paste ready fixes for every issue, time estimates, and a downloadable PDF. It tells you exactly what to change and how.

How long does the audit take?

Most audits finish in under 30 seconds. Complex sites with many pages may take up to a minute.

Do you store my data?

We store your audit results so you can revisit your report. We never sell your data or share it with third parties.

How often should I check my grade?

We recommend running a new audit every month. Your online presence changes as you update your site, get new reviews, and post on social media.

MyBizGrade was built by a small team of developers who wanted to make online presence auditing simple and affordable for small businesses.

Gym and Fitness Studio Online Marketing Guide

# Gym and Fitness Studio Online Marketing Guide Someone decides to get in shape. They pull out their phone and search "gyms near me" or "yoga studio near me" or "CrossFit [city]." Google shows a map with three options. They check the star ratings, glance at photos, read a few reviews, and visit the website of the one that looks best. Within two minutes, they either book a trial class or move on to the next gym on the list. Gym online marketing determines whether your fitness business captures these high-intent searchers or loses them to the competition. This guide covers what works. ## How People Choose a Gym in 2026 The gym selection process has shifted almost entirely online. Understanding how potential members evaluate options shapes your marketing strategy. **The decision journey:** 1. Search Google or Google Maps for a gym, studio, or specific fitness type 2. Compare ratings and review counts in the map pack 3. Look at photos (facility, equipment, classes, community) 4. Read 5-10 recent reviews 5. Visit the website to check pricing, class schedules, and trial options 6. Book a trial, free class, or tour online Every step happens digitally. If your gym is invisible at step 1 or unimpressive at step 3, the potential member goes elsewhere. They never experience your coaching, your community, or your equipment. ## Google Business Profile: Where Members Find You Your Google Business Profile is the single most important piece of your online marketing. It is what shows up when someone searches for fitness options nearby. **Profile setup:** - Primary category: "Gym," "Fitness Center," "Yoga Studio," "CrossFit Box," "Pilates Studio," or "Martial Arts School" depending on your business - Secondary categories for additional offerings: "Personal Trainer," "Group Fitness," "Boxing Gym" - Complete hours, including holiday schedules - Phone number and website - All amenities listed: parking, showers, lockers, childcare, sauna **Photos sell memberships.** Your Google photos are the first visual impression potential members get. Upload: - Equipment and workout areas (clean, well-lit) - Group classes in action (energy, community) - Facility amenities (locker rooms, smoothie bar, lounge) - Your coaching staff - Member transformations (with permission) - The exterior of your building (so people recognize it when they arrive) Aim for 50+ photos minimum. Add new ones every week, especially action shots from classes. **Post on Google weekly.** Share class schedule updates, special events (challenges, workshops), new class offerings, member spotlights, and promotions. Google Posts keep your profile fresh and active. **Highlight your trial offer.** If you offer a free class, free week, or discounted trial, feature it in a Google Post and in your business description. This lowers the barrier for someone who is browsing. ## Reviews: Social Proof That Sells Memberships Joining a gym is a personal decision. People worry about judgment, intimidation, and wasting money on a membership they will not use. Reviews from real members address these fears directly. **What potential members look for in reviews:** - Welcoming atmosphere for beginners - Quality of coaching and instruction - Cleanliness and equipment condition - Community and camaraderie - Value for the price - Flexible cancellation policies **How to generate reviews consistently:** - Ask members after a milestone: their first month, completing a challenge, or hitting a personal record. People feel great in these moments and are happy to share. - Place a QR code at the front desk, in the locker room, and near the exit - Send a text to new members after their first week: "How's your first week going? If you are enjoying [Gym Name], a Google review helps other people find us: [link]" - Feature a "Member of the Month" on Instagram and ask them to leave a review as part of the spotlight **Respond to every review.** Positive: "Thanks for being part of our community, Jake! See you at the 6AM class." Negative: "We're sorry to hear this. Please reach out to [email] so we address your concern directly." [See how your gym scores online. Get a free grade at GradeMyBiz](https://grademybiz.vercel.app). ## Social Media: Building Community Before the Visit Fitness is inherently social. People share workouts, celebrate progress, and tag their gym. Social media is where your gym's community extends beyond your four walls. **Instagram is your primary platform.** Content that works for gyms and studios: - Class highlight reels (energy, music, group effort) - Member transformation stories (before-and-after with their permission) - Workout tips and exercise tutorials from your coaches - Behind-the-scenes: facility upgrades, new equipment arrivals, coach training - Event promotions: challenges, competitions, workshops, community events - "Meet the Coach" posts introducing your staff - Member shout-outs and milestone celebrations Reels and short-form video outperform static images for fitness content. A 15-second clip of a packed class with high energy generates more engagement and reach than a photo. **Posting frequency:** 4-5 times per week on the feed. Daily Stories. **TikTok for reaching new audiences.** Short workout clips, gym humor, transformation stories, and day-in-the-life content perform well on TikTok. If your target demographic skews younger (under 35), TikTok is worth the investment. **Facebook for community groups.** Create a private Facebook Group for members. Use it to share announcements, foster connections, and build the community aspect that keeps members from canceling. A strong member community reduces churn. **User-generated content is your secret weapon.** Encourage members to tag your gym in their posts and Stories. Repost their content on your profile. When potential members see real people (not fitness models) enjoying your gym, it feels accessible and inviting. ## Your Gym Website: Convert Visitors to Trials Your website has one primary job: get visitors to sign up for a trial, free class, or tour. **Essential pages:** - **Homepage:** Your gym's personality in photos and a few sentences. "Book a Free Class" button above the fold. Do not bury the CTA. - **Classes/Programs page:** Every class offered with descriptions, schedule, and difficulty level. Include who each class is good for ("perfect for beginners" vs. "experienced athletes"). - **Pricing page:** Display your membership options clearly. Hiding pricing forces potential members to call, and most will not bother. Transparency wins. - **Schedule:** An embedded or linked class schedule. Make it easy to find and easy to read on mobile. - **About page:** Your story, your coaching philosophy, your team. Include photos. - **Contact/Location:** Address, parking info, hours, and a map. **Design for mobile first.** 75% of gym searches happen on phones. Large buttons, fast loading, and easy navigation on a small screen. **Feature your trial offer prominently.** "First Class Free" or "7-Day Free Trial" should appear on every page. This is the lowest-friction entry point for a new member. **Add a virtual tour.** A 360-degree tour or a walkthrough video lets potential members see your space before visiting. This reduces anxiety about walking into an unfamiliar gym. ## Email and Text Marketing **For leads (people who have not joined yet):** - After a trial visit, send a follow-up email within 24 hours: "Thanks for trying [Class Name]! Here is what to expect as a member..." - If they do not sign up within a week, send a second follow-up with a limited-time offer - Share valuable content (workout tips, nutrition guides) to stay in their inbox **For current members:** - Weekly class schedule reminders - Challenge and event announcements - Referral program reminders ("Bring a friend for a free week") - Re-engagement emails for members who have not visited in 2+ weeks **Text messages for time-sensitive communication:** - Class cancellation or schedule changes - Spot openings in popular classes - Flash promotions ("Today only: bring a friend free") ## Local SEO for Gyms Local SEO helps you appear for location-based fitness searches. **Optimize your website for local search:** - Title tags: "[Gym Name] - CrossFit/Yoga/Gym in [City, State]" - Include your city and neighborhood in page content naturally - Create separate pages for each type of class or program, each mentioning your location **Get listed on fitness-specific directories:** - Google Business Profile - Yelp - ClassPass (if applicable) - Mindbody (if you use it for scheduling) - Facebook - Nextdoor - Local Chamber of Commerce **Keep NAP consistent.** Your gym name, address, and phone number should match exactly across every listing. ## Referral Programs: Turn Members Into Marketers Happy gym members are your best marketing channel. A structured referral program turns their enthusiasm into new memberships. **Simple referral structure:** "Bring a friend for a free week. If they join, you both get a free month." Promote your referral program: - Posters in the gym - Mention during class announcements - Monthly email reminders - Social media posts featuring members who referred friends Referral members have higher retention rates because they already have a friend in the gym. This makes referral programs doubly valuable. ## Paid Advertising for Gyms **Google Ads** target high-intent searches: "gym near me," "yoga classes [city]," "personal trainer [city]." These searchers are actively looking and ready to try. **Facebook and Instagram Ads** work well for gyms because of precise targeting. Reach people within 5 miles of your location, aged 25-45, interested in fitness. Promote your free trial with a compelling video ad showing your gym's energy. **Retargeting ads** remind website visitors who did not book a trial. These keep your gym top-of-mind during their decision process. **Budget:** Start with $500/month. Test Google Ads for intent-based leads and Facebook/Instagram Ads for awareness. Track cost per trial visit and cost per new member. ## Your Gym Online Marketing Checklist - Google Business Profile complete with photos and amenities - 50+ photos on Google, adding weekly - Weekly Google Posts (class highlights, events, offers) - Review request system (milestones, QR codes, texts) - Respond to all reviews within 48 hours - Instagram posting 4-5 times per week with Reels - Facebook Group for member community - Website with clear trial offer on every page - Pricing displayed transparently - Class schedule easily accessible on mobile - Listed on fitness directories with consistent NAP - Email follow-up sequence for trial visitors - Referral program active and promoted - Monthly tracking of trial visits, conversions, and review growth ## For more on this topic, read [Is Your Website Mobile-Friendly? Here's How to Check](/blog/is-your-website-mobile-friendly). For more on this topic, read [Free vs Paid SEO Tools: What Small Businesses Need](/blog/free-vs-paid-seo-tools).Grade Your Gym's Online Presence Your gym's online presence is either attracting new members or sending them to competitors. [GradeMyBiz](https://grademybiz.vercel.app) gives you a free, instant grade on your entire online presence. Google profile, reviews, website, social media, and listings. See where you stand in 30 seconds. [Get your free grade →](https://grademybiz.vercel.app)