Significant growth of your fitness business means your gym is going to have to be at the top of your local Google search results. That’s just the reality of it in the consumer’s world that we live in. And in order to rank high, you need to get the right puzzle pieces into place. The good news is that it’s not as confusing or complicated as you might think.
First things first, let’s talk about Google Business Profile (GBP). If you haven’t set up your GBP profile yet, that’s your very next step! GBP is Google’s free tool for managing your online presence. Having GBP complete and optimized is absolutely critical for improving your gym’s local Google ranking.
But what’s the secret to turning your GBP into a powerhouse that improves your Google rank? Here’s everything you need to know about how to optimize your GBP and send your gym’s local search visibility skyrocketing.
1. Complete Your GBP Listing for Your Fitness Business
If you want your local, brick and mortar fitness business to rank well, you must claim and optimize your Google Business Profile page. You may already have a page. But if you’re not sure, take a look at this page to add or claim your listing.
Yeah, we know it sounds pretty basic, but you’d be amazed at how many fitness businesses skip this crucial step. Make sure that you fill in every last detail: business name, address, phone number, website, hours of operation, and the right business category. The reason that this is so important is that the more complete your profile is, the more Google trusts your business, and the better your local search ranking will be. And the better your local search ranking, the easier your potential gym members will find you and not your competitors.
If you find that you have duplicate Google listings or locations, you can get help addressing that here. For any other issues, you can contact Google Business Profile Help. There’s also a really helpful Google Small Biz Twitter account you can ping for help as well.
2. Keep Your Fitness Business’s Profile Fresh and Engaging
You can’t just set it and forget it! Although having a profile is the most important step here, it’s not just something you get to check off the list and never revisit. Google loves up-to-date profiles. Regularly add new photos, videos, and posts that showcase your gym, classes, and events. The images you use in particular are very important. The more engaging and current your content, the higher your chances of impressing Google’s algorithm and climbing the search rankings. Also, if your business has special holiday hours or regular changes in schedule, always go to your GBP and update your hours so that they are accurate. Google wants to make sure that anyone that visits your profile is going to get what they are looking for.
3. Build a Rock-Solid Online Reputation
There’s no denying it: Google values businesses with a solid review history. Spoiler alert – so do the people who are trying to find your fitness business! In fact, according to a study by BrightLocal, a staggering 98% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses. That means your online reputation is directly tied to your gym’s growth potential.
So, how do you get your clients to leave genuine, glowing reviews on your GBP listing? Here are a few ideas:
- Provide exceptional customer service (this one’s a no-brainer!).
- Create a system to follow up with your clients at certain milestones and ask for them to leave you a review.
- Respond to reviews, both positive and negative, to show that you care about your clients’ feedback. (Pro tip: use Keywords in your responses!)
Remember: the more authentic, high-quality reviews you have, the more likely Google will rank your gym higher in your local search results.
4. Stand Out with Google’s Other Special GBP Features
Google offers several really cool features that can make your GBP listing stand out from your competition. Leverage Google Posts, Q&A, booking and messaging features to engage with your audience, share important updates, and show your gym’s unique selling points. The more you use these features, the more timely and relevant you keep the information, the more your listing will stand out from the competition. And as we already said, Google loves an up to date profile.
5. Keep Your Fitness Business’s NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) Consistent
This is something you may not be familiar with or you may not realize just how important it is in getting your fitness business to rank on Google. NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone Number. Make absolutely sure that your NAP information is consistent across all online platforms, including your website, social media profiles, and other business directories. This consistency helps Google trust your business more, leading to improved search rankings. Have you moved recently? Have you rebranded? Is your business name listed inconsistently? If you answered yes to any of those, you need to address your NAP ASAP. Check your Local Listing score for free using this Moz Local tool.
The Bottom Line: Growing Your Fitness Business Is Going To Require A High Local Google Ranking
There is a ton of growth potential to be unlocked for your gym’s local Google Ranking right there in your Google Business Profile. By optimizing your GBP listing and following these tips, you can climb the local search rankings and attract more gym members than ever before. So go ahead, take charge of your online presence, and watch as your gym becomes the talk of the town!
Your 5-Step Checklist:
- Complete your Google Business Profile listing with accurate and detailed information.
- Keep your GBP fresh and engaging by regularly updating it with photos, videos, and posts.
- Build a solid online reputation by asking for and responding to reviews.
- Stand out from the competition by using GBP’s special features like Posts, Q&A, and messaging.
- Maintain consistent NAP information across all online platforms to boost your gym’s trustworthiness in Google’s eyes.
Investing time and effort into optimizing your gym’s Google Business Profile will pay off, and because it’s so simple and easy, it pays an awesome ROI! When your gym has a higher local search ranking, you’ll attract more gym members, increase your revenue, and ultimately grow your fitness business.
For more articles on how to improve your gym’s search ranking, check out How To Improve My Online Presence: A Gym Owner’s Guide.
