How to Generate Web Site Hits

Q: I know prospects are researching their options on the Internet before they visit my facility. How can I make sure they find my Web site? – Submitted by Lisa Callaway, owner of an Anytime Fitness

A: There are a number of ways to help your prospects find your Web site. First you must promote your Web site everywhere possible, especially on every piece of marketing you distribute. Second, you need to increase your search engine ranking so that people can find you. Third, you need to increase your use of social media so that people have a reason to connect with you.

Promote your Web site

Your Web site URL should be on every direct mail piece, every flyer, every business card, every gift card, every newspaper ad and everything in between. There are many prospects that might not initially be ready to take you up on your offer, but they may be willing to learn more about you by visiting your Web site.

Make sure your Web site is clearly displayed on your building and your signage. Make sure you have your domain name in your signature line of your e-mails. If you are mailing, delivering, e-mailing or distributing anything for your business, make sure your domain name is listed on it.

Increase your search engine ranking

One of the first things you need to do to get better placement in search results is submit your Web site to Google. Additionally, you should make sure you upload your health club’s information into Google’s Local Business Directory as well as on Google Maps. You should also submit your Web site to www.dmoz.org. This is a great resource that will help make sure your Web site is found much faster.

In addition, you will want to make sure your Web site is optimized for the keywords people in your area will be searching. Without getting too techy, this means you need “your city health club” and similar key phrases throughout your Web pages and in your title tags. You also should make sure to get as many Web sites linking to your site as possible. The easiest way to do this is through online article directories and free press release Web sites.

If you really want to get noticed right away, and have some extra money in your marketing budget, you can purchase sponsored ads, also known as pay per click ads. These are the ads you see in Google on the right and at the top of the search listings. You only pay when someone clicks on your ad, and most health club listings won’t cost more than 10 cents per click. You can be at the top of the sponsored listings almost immediately.

Increase your use of social media

If you don’t have a blog on your Web site, get one. It will cost less than $100 for a programmer to add a blog page to your Web site. Google loves blogs because they provide frequently updated and timely content. You can easily add videos to your blog (which Google loves also), you can post an exercise of the week, promotions at your club, announcements to members, or anything else you want to write about. A blog is a great way to give your fitness business a personality, which will be important as prospects are comparing your facility to your competitors.

A Facebook fan page is a great way to connect with many of your prospects and members. Not only that, but Google sees the activity on your Facebook page, which is in turn linked to your Web site. Twitter is a great resource as well. Not only does it allow you to post success stories of your members and special offers at your club, driving more people to your Web site, it is also a Google favorite. Any time you post a new blog, make sure to announce it on Twitter, giving you even more “Google Juice.”

LinkedIn is a great resource to connect with other business owners in your area, and again, gives you an opportunity for these business owners to click links to your Web site.  Posting videos to YouTube and other video sharing sites, making sure to have links to your Web site in the video description will help people find you as well. Also, you should post useful comments on other popular fitness blogs and forums, especially those from area businesses – placing a link back to your Web site from the post will also get noticed by Google.

There are many different ways to help people find you on the Internet. Implement a few of the strategies above and you’ll find more people find your Web site more often.

Answer provided by Curtis Mock, a contributing columnist for Club Solutions Magazine, industry consultant and executive director of gymsuccess.com. Curtis welcomes all questions and comments via e-mail at Curtis@ClubSolutionsMagazine.com.