According to the marketing experts at Ahrefs, an incredible 66 percent of all online experiences begin with using a search engine such as Google or Bing. So, adopting the proper search engine optimization (SEO) techniques is crucial for any business that wishes to succeed. However, what about niche sectors such as the fitness industry?
Let us look at a handful of tried-and-tested SEO strategies and some recent suggestions that can be implemented quickly. After all,
Appreciate Industry-Specific Keywords
One of the main advantages of SEO is that it helps to boost the online positioning of a fitness-related business. Keywords play an integral role in this context. So, research the appropriate keywords about your specific fitness products and/or services. The types of keywords can be broken down into two main categories:
- Those associated with making a purchase (such as “fitness classes” and “personal trainer”).
- Keywords used when performing research (including “health,” “weight loss,” and “muscle gain”).
Once the correct words have been chosen, these should be included in meta titles, meta descriptions, and on-site content.
Location-Specific SEO Techniques
Users will often search for fitness websites that are near where they live. Therefore, local SEO is equally as important. One of the best ways to address this niche demographic market is to create a listing on Google My Business.
When a search query related to your firm is performed, much more information will be provided. This includes its physical address (displayed on Google Maps), the telephone number, and operating hours. You may likewise choose to provide additional details such as what types of courses are offered or a handful of images. These are all great ways to ensure higher rates of customer engagement.
Website Optimisation
Would you ever become a gym member that is known for faulty equipment and poor customer service? Of course not. This is the same reason why visitors place a great deal of importance on the initial impressions of a website. Therefore, website optimization is another pivotal aspect of SEO.
We are not only referring to making certain that all HTML coding is correct in this sense. The UX (user experience) should never be ignored. Here are some effective strategies to employ:
- Ensuring that the overall theme is consistent throughout the website.
- Creating clear categories and subcategories.
- Including contact details on each page.
- Optimizing media content (such as images and videos) so that the site loads quickly.
- Including an HTML sitemap so that search engine crawlers can easily interpret what the website contains. This helps these engines direct visitors to the appropriate URL.
The relationship between website design and inbound traffic is undeniable. The suggestions highlighted above will provide a much-needed boost in your current rankings.
Links: The “Glue” of SEO
Google has recently stated that linking is one of the top three factors it uses when ranking a website. We are not only referring to outbound links in this sense (links that direct the visitor to another page within your website). Inbound links are more critical. Why is this the case?
Inbound links are designed to send a user to a third-party site (such as a professional blogger or a well-known source of fitness-related information). These provide your site with an authoritative edge, significant from a search engine’s perspective—furthermore, those pointed to portals with a higher domain ranking display more relevance and credibility.
Not only are inbound links beneficial in terms of your rankings, but customers will appreciate the fact that your content is backed up by solid and reputable information. This will enable you to build trust and boost your brand reputation over time.
Social Media Clout
Of course, it is just as wise to mention that most fitness websites make it a point to maintain a strong social media presence. This is an excellent way to connect with a specific demographic and monitor the efficacy of a current marketing campaign. In addition, using outbound links to redirect visitors to social media portals such as Facebook and Twitter are likewise important in terms of building authoritativeness (mentioned in the previous section).
Staying Fit Within the Competitive Digital Community
All of the SEO techniques highlighted throughout this article are ideally suited for the fitness industry. However, they are just as appropriate for any business which hopes to reap the rewards that a strong online presence has to offer.
Author Bio:
Peter Keane is the owner and lead physiotherapist at PHYSIOMOTION3D. Peter uses SEO for his physio services as he understands the importance it has for his business. SEO has helped PHYSIOMOTION3D rank for certain keywords in its location, with the great help of local SEO tactics.
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