How To Build a Fitness Website in 9 Steps
The icon of social activism, Mahatma Gandhi, once said, "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver." And people worldwide are embracing this way of thinking, regardless of the cost. Gym memberships worldwide have different average prices across other countries. Since 2021, gym memberships in the US cost $28.58 monthly.
The most expensive gym memberships within the US are in New York and come with a median cost of $75. Meanwhile, in Wyoming, considered one of the most affordable states in the US, gym-goers spend about $38 in monthly membership fees.
Fitness enthusiasts spend a lot to reach their body goals. This resulted in experts predicting further market size growth in the fitness industry in the next few years. They expect it will be worth an estimated $1.2 trillion by 2025.
These days, a fitness website is essential for health enthusiasts, fitness professionals, or gyms. It can showcase services, build a solid online presence, and reach a broader audience. Developing and designing a fitness website can look challenging. But with the proper guidance and methods, it can be a rewarding process.
In this guide, author Ivan Serrano will cover all the fundamentals of how to build a fitness website. He is an experienced tech and business writer whose work has been featured on StartupNation, SmallBizClub, Time Doctor, and Namecheap. He is passionate about sharing trends and opportunities that can benefit businesses of various scales.
"Whether you're just breaking into the fitness industry or have years of experience, a great fitness website to showcase your business and your passion can help you stand head and shoulders apart from your competition," he said.
Read on to learn how to build a fitness website in nine steps.
Step 1: Define the People and Goals You Want To Target
First, define your objectives and understand your target audience. Do this before developing and designing a fitness website. Think about what you want to reach with your website. It could be to offer online courses, promote a fitness blog, attract new clients, or do a mix of all these things.
Knowing your target audience helps you personalize your website's design and content. Meet your intended clients' preferences and needs. A fitness website caters to different target audiences with mixed interests and needs.
Here are some fitness website target audiences that will let you know how to build a fitness website based on your target audience. It will also help you understand the goals you wish to achieve with your website.
Fitness geeks
Fitness enthusiasts work out often and are passionate about physical fitness. They will likely be a significant part of your demographic. They are often the types of people who look for exercise variations. They also ask for tips on nutrition and advanced training programs. They believe these will help transform and improve themselves further.
Beginners
Beginners are new to the physical fitness journey. They often need guidance on how to start. This type of target audience often looks for step-by-step exercise instructions. They want beginner-friendly advice on nutrition and basic workout programs.
Weight loss hopefuls
As the name implies, a weight loss seeker is an individual who seeks to lose a specific amount of weight. These individuals often seek meal plans and guidance to improve their physical health. They also go for workout routines that heavily emphasize creating a caloric deficit.
Bodybuilders
Like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, bodybuilders' interests lie in improving their strength. They want to build muscle mass and sculpt their physique. They often lean toward nutrition for muscle gain. They prefer resistance training programs and recovery techniques.
Athletes and sports enthusiasts
Athletes and sports enthusiasts focus on pushing their physical limits. As their classification implies, these are individuals involved in competitive activities or sports. They go for specific nutrition tips and training regimens to prevent injuries. They need these to boost their performance.
Seniors and older folks
Regular exercise should be mandatory for most seniors and older adults. People who fall under this classification often seek to maintain their strength. They sustain good health and mobility through age-appropriate wellness advice and exercises.
Yoga and mindfulness aficionados
Yoga and mindfulness practitioners refer to a specific target audience. These individuals seek physical and mental well-being through yoga exercises and mindfulness meditation.
Busy professionals
Busy professionals are individuals with strict schedules. They need more time to focus on working out at home and making regular trips to the gym. They often seek healthy habit advice and time-efficient workout routines. They usually integrate these into their busy schedules.
People with limited mobility or specific health conditions
This target audience refers to people with disabilities, physical limitations, or health conditions. These include heart disease, arthritis, or diabetes. They look to fitness websites to discover nutrition tips and workout routines. They need these to manage their condition and enhance their quality of life.
These are only some of the examples of the wide range of target audiences you can cater to on your fitness website. Each target audience has specific preferences and requirements you need to consider while you figure out how to build a fitness website. A well-defined fitness website can provide invaluable resources and content to help them. That way, they can meet their specific goals.
Step 2: Decide on a Website Platform
There are many website-building platforms that can help you figure out how to build a fitness website, and each has its pros and cons. Some popular fitness website development options include Squarespace, WordPress, and Wix.
Sometimes, you may consider Shopify if you intend to sell fitness products.
There is no perfect solution for website building. However, WordPress is a heavy favorite among fitness professionals because of its flexibility. It is ideal to pick a platform that best suits your needs, technical skills, and budget.
To help you choose, here are some of the best platforms that enable users to develop and design websites. The best part is these platforms do not demand coding skills from the user to build a fitness website.
Wix
Wix is one of the most popular and recognizable website builders available. Most users credit its popularity to its easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface. The platform also provides many customizable templates suitable for various purposes and industries.
The Wix app market allows users to insert other functionalities if they need more tools. These functionalities include e-commerce, bookings, and social media integration.
Wix ADI is Wix's easy-to-use solution with AI-powered design capabilities. This solution helps users build websites even if they lack development experience or knowledge of how to build a fitness website. It's because it generates websites based on user input.
Wix ADI also simplifies the process by creating layouts, personalized designs, and content from user's preferences.
Wix is the ideal choice for users looking for easy ways to build their online presence. The platform lets them do this without messing with the design's quality.
Key features:
- Over 500 stunning designer-generated templates for every industry
- Total design freedom
- Advanced and built-in SEO tools
- Mobile optimization
- Unlimited fonts
Pricing:
- Connect Domain Basic Website Plan - $4.50 per month
- Combo Website Plan - $8.50 per month
- Unlimited Website Plan - $12.50 per month
- VIP Website Plan - $24.50 per month
WordPress
WordPress is no longer just a blogging tool. It is now considered one of the more user-friendly website builders. You can use WordPress.org (self-hosting) or WordPress.com (a hosted service).
The WordPress platform offers an easy-to-use interface for those who do not know how to build a fitness website. It also provides access to thousands of themes and plugins. The software itself is free and open-sourced, so you can easily customize your site to your liking. This makes it the primary choice among developers, bloggers, and even online entrepreneurs.
Key features:
- Flexibility
- Easy publishing
- Publishing tools
- User management
- Media management
- Easy theme system
- Plugin extensions
- Search engine optimization
- Easy installation and upgrades
Pricing:
- Free Plan - $0
- Personal Plan - $18 per month or $96 if done annually
- Premium Plan - $27 per month or $144 if done annually
- Business Plan - $40 per month or $300 if done annually
- Commerce Plan - $70 per month or $540 if done annually
- Enterprise Plan - Starts at $25,000 annually
Squarespace
If you use lots of visual elements, Squarespace is the platform for you. It has many popular and appealing templates suitable for artists and creative professionals looking to showcase their talent.
However, do not be fooled by its simple design-focused interface and drag-and-drop editing. The platform also offers plenty of customization options, especially for those who do not know how to build a fitness website. It also has a robust built-in analytics tool that can keep track of your SEO campaigns.
Key features:
- Website builder
- Customizable templates
- Pre-built layouts
- Customizable page and content layouts
- Design tools
- Custom CSS
- Universal asset uploading
Pricing:
- Personal Plan - $23 per month
- Business Plan - $33 per month
- Commerce Basic Plan - $36 per month
- Commerce Advanced Plan - $65 per month
Shopify
If your fitness website is focused on e-commerce, Shopify is your best bet if you do not know how to build a fitness website with an online store. It is a popular choice among e-commerce vendors because it is easy to create an online store. They offer customizable templates and an inventory management system. They also have various payment options. They have plenty of resources for people just starting out in the e-commerce industry.
Key features:
- Over 70 top-of-the-line themes
- Free 256-bit SSL certificate for security
- Supports ideal SEO practices
- Store email automation
- Easy-to-use inventory management
- Unlimited bandwidth included with hosting
Pricing:
- Basic Plan - $39 per month
- Shopify Plan - $105 per month
- Advanced Plan - $399 per month
Weebly
Image taken from weebly.com
Weebly is a user-friendly website builder, making it simple for people to use even without coding experience. Its drag-and-drop editor allows you to quickly and easily build a professional website or online store. It offers a free alternative and premium plans starting at $10 per month. These things make it one of the most cost-effective site builders available for people learning how to build a fitness website.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Social media marketing tools
- Optimized for mobile responsiveness
- Email marketing tools
- Unlimited storage
Pricing:
- Free Plan - $0 per month
- Personal Plan - $10 per month
- Professional Plan - $12 per month
- Performance Plan - $26 per month
Jimdo
Founded in Germany in 2007, Jimdo is fast becoming the website builder of choice for people looking for a simple and easy-to-use tool. It's one of the few platforms that uses AI to help you design your website. You can build the website of your dreams by answering a few questions. Their free plan can help you generate a basic website with all the essentials, while its paid plans provide more customization options and advanced features.
Key features:
- Blogging functions
- Domain options
- User-friendly interface
- Mobile site optimization
- eCommerce integration
- Search engine optimization
Pricing:
- Play Plan - $0 per month
- Start Plan - $9 per month
- Grow Plan - $14 per month
GoDaddy
GoDaddy is a popular name in the industry. The platform's website builder, with its drag-and-drop editor, caters to users who do not know how to build a fitness website and want convenience and simplicity. It also offers templates that help users create and publish websites.
Aside from the website builder, GoDaddy also provides integrated domain and hosting services. These streamline the entire website-building process.
Key features:
- Website hosting
- Content creation
- Customizable themes
- Rapid page-load performance
- Mobile design and editing
- SSL Security
- All-in-one-place management
Pricing:
- Basic Plan - $9.99 per month
- Standard Plan - $14.99 per month
- Premium Plan - $19.99 per month
- Ecommerce Plan - $24.99 per month
Joomla
An open-source content management system, Joomla provides advanced capabilities. It also offers a range of choices for customization.
Although you will need more technical expertise on building a fitness website, it is a powerful website-building tool. The platform is ideal for building e-commerce sites, online forums, and social networks.
Joomla also comes with an extension library that offers add-ons to improve website capabilities.
Key features:
- Easily extendable, customizable, and flexible system
- Includes search engine optimization
- Forever an open-source software
- Multilingual platform
Pricing:
- Joomla does not have paid plans since it is free and open-source
Drupal
Drupal offers scalability. It also has security and customization features. Many prefer to use this open-sourced CMS for complex websites and large organizations.
Additionally, Drupal has a vast community of contributors and developers. They offer support and flexibility for achieving highly personalized online experiences.
Key features:
- Personalization for custom customer experiences based on their data
- Marketing automation
- Multilingual platform
- Advanced security that includes database encryption and DoS attack mitigation
Pricing:
- Similar to Joomla, Drupal is free and open-source
Step 3: Decide on a Domain Name and Hosting Provider
When you are deciding on a domain name, you must consider several things. These include memorable, easy-to-spell, and brand-relevant. People should be able to tell what you offer by just your domain name. The domain name is fundamental to learning how to build a fitness website.
Then, find a trustworthy hosting provider once you have settled on a domain name. They must have a hosting plan that supports your site's needs. Also, consider other factors like security features, scalability, storage, and bandwidth.
Step 4: Post Engaging Content
One of the most critical aspects of learning how to build a fitness website is understanding the importance of engaging content. Compelling content serves as the foundation of any fitness website. Share fitness tips, training techniques, and success stories. Some of the best ways to share your content are through well-written articles, images, and videos.
Your site's content can establish your brand as an authority within the fitness industry. It also lets you maintain steady web traffic on your site.
Don't forget your "About Me" page when creating content for your site. This page is typically where you introduce yourself and highlight your unique selling position—so be sure it's of high quality.
Below are other types of content you can post on your fitness website.
Videos and visual aids for workout routines
Studies have shown that 65% of the general population are visual learners. This means that the more visual aids and videos you use on your site, the higher the engagement. Whether you're demonstrating yoga poses or the proper way to do a squat, be sure to show—don't just tell. Your visitors will find these types of content invaluable.
Food and nutrition tips
Create a recipe collection that combines delicious and nutritious ingredients. Visitors should be able to find them interesting and relevant to their fitness goals and diet preferences. Provide meal prep ideas, fueling workout tips, and ingredient alternatives.
Establishing your brand is easier when you share nutritional information and promote balanced eating habits. Content like this can help your target audience make better decisions.
Success stories
You will gain more followers as your fitness brand grows. While not all of them will have a successful journey, you will surely get many others who have. And their stories deserve to be featured on your site. Ask them for personal testimonies, progress narratives, and before-and-after photos. These stories are sure to motivate others who are just getting to know your brand.
Tips from experts and other guest posts
Want to increase your credibility? Collaborating with established fitness experts and credible nutrition influencers in the digital landscape can help you connect better with your target audience and raise your authority in your field.
Run fitness challenges and competitions
Encourage more users to join your fitness center by organizing online challenges and contests. Some examples include a weight loss challenge, a fitness progress tracker, or recognizing members of the month who've shown incredible development.
These initiatives can help foster accountability and community among your site visitors. Eventually, visiting your website will become part of their daily routine.
Educational guides and infographics
Showcase exercise techniques, nutrition information, and complex fitness concepts. Ensure they are in easily digestible formats, such as guides, eBooks, or infographics.
Clear visuals and concise explanations make all the difference to your target audience. It simplifies them to understand and act on the information you provide.
Interactive quizzes and assessments
These could include fitness challenges and competitions. They will allow visitors to evaluate their fitness goals and dietary habits.
Users can get personalized recommendations from the results of these quizzes, helping them customize their fitness journeys.
Behind-the-scenes
Offer website visitors a glimpse into your daily habits and fitness routines. This kind of content makes your audience relate to you more. Doing this can also cultivate a sense of connection.
Product reviews and recommendations
Offer reviews and recommendations for workout gear, apps, supplements, and fitness equipment. Honest and transparent reviews can enhance your audience's fitness experiences. They can also help them make informed purchasing decisions.
Wellness tips and mental health insights
Audiences appreciate a website that acknowledges the importance of mental health. Post stress-relief methods, tips for maintaining a positive mindset, and mindfulness exercises.
Touching on topics about holistic wellness can also enrich the value of your website.
An engaging fitness website provides more than dietary advice and routine workout plans. Incorporate diverse content into your website that educates and motivates your audience.
This type of content builds a platform that will help you connect with your audience on a deeper level.
Step 5: Choose an Appropriate Theme
After choosing a platform, you must select a responsive and professional website theme. It will affect your website's overall feel and look. That is essential for your selected theme to complement your brand.
A fitness-specific theme can provide relevant layouts, functionalities, and design elements.
As most visitors will view your website through their mobile devices, make sure that your theme is responsive. Optimize your site's theme for smartphones and tablets.
The design and theme of your website play many critical roles on your website. They communicate brand identity, generate better online experiences, and motivate visitors.
However, choosing the most ideal theme for your website can be challenging. So here are several examples to give you an idea of what is out there and which would suit your website.
Athlete Fitness
https://themeforest.net/item/athlete-fitness-gym-and-sport-wordpress-theme/11063840
An athlete's triumph mobilizes the energy of elite athletes. This theme showcases animations, sleek designs, and action shots.
It is best with parallax scrolling, innovative navigation, and bold color schemes. This theme is best for websites that want to portray excellence and success.
Bodybuilding
https://www.templatemonster.com/wordpress-themes/free-black-bodybuilding-wordpress-theme-196068.html
The idea of this theme is to create a modern yet rugged appearance. Its visuals involve rivets, machinery-inspired elements, and various metallic textures. The theme's design makes it perfect for weightlifting and bodybuilding websites.
Prowess – Fitness & Gym Theme
https://themeforest.net/item/prowess-a-fitness-and-gym-wordpress-theme/21684736
The theme comes with dark and industrial tones, street art-inspired graphics, and bold typography. These elements will give any website a confident and edgy vibe. It is excellent for strength training, high-intensity workouts, and urban fitness culture websites.
Dojo Martial Art
https://themeforest.net/item/dojo-martial-arts-html-template-/12839291
The theme incorporates battle-ready typography, earthy color palettes, and ancient warrior motifs. Its purpose is to evoke a person's spirit to overcome challenges. It is most suitable for combat sports, functional training, and martial arts websites.
Corredo
https://themeforest.net/item/corredo-bike-race-sports-events-wordpress-theme/23270232
The theme utilizes bold imagery of rugged landscapes, daring feats, and outdoor activities. It's meant to invoke feelings of excitement and adrenaline. It is best for websites promoting hiking, extreme sports, and outdoor workouts.
Future fitness
Image is taken from: templatic.com
It has a cutting-edge fitness theme and uses minimalist designs, sleek lines, and modern elements like holographic accents. The idea is to create an appearance of progress and innovation. These elements make it perfect for featuring wearable gadgets and technology-driven fitness solutions.
Zogin
https://colorlib.com/wp/template/zogin/
This theme focuses on finding a balance between strength and stylishness. For example, you can include details like a yoga teacher posing atop a cliff. Combine this with handwritten typography and soft colors to exude elegance. This is an ideal theme for Pilates and yoga-focused fitness centers.
Ranner
https://themeforest.net/item/ranner-marathon-running-club-sports-elementor-template-kit/41853430
Weathered textures, distressed typography, and raw visuals are used to create this theme. The aim is to arouse an individual's desire to push through obstacles.
Visually, it is suitable for websites that deal with endurance sports. Running long distances and training on obstacle courses are two endurance-focused sports.
Step 6: Integrate Fitness-Specific Features
Integrating fitness-specific features is an excellent way to enhance the overall user experience. It is also a great way to add value to your website.
Here are some examples of the most popular options successful fitness websites feature.
Schedules and booking systems
You need a booking system and class schedule if you offer personal fitness classes. These features allow visitors to reserve slots and view upcoming classes easily.
Fitness blog and newsletters
A fitness blog is a great way to post valuable content for your target audience regularly. Additionally, you can offer a newsletter subscription.
Newsletter subscriptions update subscribers on the latest promotions, events, and fitness trends.
Client testimonials and success stories
Featuring client testimonials and success stories establishes trust and credibility among potential customers. Individuals often seek social proof before committing to a fitness service or program.
BMI calculator and fitness tools
Most online visitors appreciate fitness websites that have interactive features. Fitness tools like BMI calculators make your website a helpful and interactive experience.
Step 7: Optimize for Search Engines
Efforts to build a well-designed website will not mean anything if it can't be found on search engines. Search engine optimization enhances your website's visibility on search engines like Google.
Many fitness website owners conduct keyword research. However, hiring SEO experts to do it for you is often better.
Keyword research identifies relevant phrases and keywords typically used in searches. Incorporating these keywords into your meta tags, URLs, and content is essential.
You should also prioritize generating high-quality backlinks to improve SEO performance.
Step 8: Go for a Responsive Design
As of May 2023, studies have shown that over 50% of internet users access websites on mobile devices. So, it is mandatory to have a responsive website design.
Your fitness website must adjust to different screen sizes. Doing this will provide an optimal user experience.
Step 9: Remember To Test and Iterate Before the Site Launch
Before officially launching your fitness website, you must test all its pages. This step is crucial to check for formatting issues, errors, or broken links.
Collect feedback from family, friends, or colleagues to find areas for improvement.
It also helps to optimize your website based on analytics and user feedback. Doing this can boost the website's user experience and performance.
Bonus: Plan on Active Promotion
Creating your fitness website is the first step. As soon as you launch your site, you must promote it actively. Drive traffic to your site through email marketing and collaborations. Going on all social media platforms will also greatly help.
Use Your Fitness Website To Promote Health and Wellness
A fitness website needs engaging content, attention to detail, and careful planning. By following this nine-step guide, you will know how to build a fitness website that will effectively feature your services, passion, and expertise in fitness.
