SEO for Fitness Studios: How to Rank Higher in Local Searches
For fitness studios, gyms, and wellness centres, local visibility is everything. Most clients search for fitness services near them, making local SEO an essential strategy for growing your business. Here’s how to optimise your online presence and rank higher in local searches.
Optimise Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is arguably the most important factor for local SEO success. To improve your rankings:
Ensure your business name, address, and phone number are accurate and match your website.
Choose the most relevant categories for your fitness studio (e.g., ‘Gym’, ‘Yoga Studio’, ‘Pilates Studio’).
Add high-quality photos of your facility, classes, and trainers.
Encourage happy clients to leave positive reviews and respond to all reviews promptly.
Regularly update your profile with posts about special offers, events, or class schedules.
Use Local Keywords on Your Website
Targeting local SEO keywords helps Google connect your business with searchers in your area. Here’s how:
Include phrases like ‘Pilates studio in [your city]’, ‘best gym in [your town]’, and ‘personal training near me’ in your website copy.
Optimise headings, meta descriptions, and image alt text with local keywords.
Create location-specific pages if you have multiple branches (e.g., ‘Yoga Studio in Greenwich’ and ‘Yoga Studio in Camden’).
Build Local Citations and Listings
Consistency in your business details across online directories boosts your search rankings. List your studio on:
Yelp
Facebook
Trustpilot
Local business directories (e.g., Yell, Nextdoor, and industry-specific sites)
Fitness-specific directories like ClassPass, Mindbody, MoveGB and Fitt.co
Get More Reviews from Clients
Reviews play a huge role in local SEO rankings and client trust. Encourage more reviews by:
Sending follow-up emails or SMS reminders to happy clients.
Offering small incentives (discounts or free sessions) for leaving a review.
Responding to all reviews - positive and negative - to show engagement.
Create Local Content
Publishing localised content helps attract search traffic. Ideas include:
‘Best Outdoor Running Routes in [Your City]’
‘How to Stay Fit in [Your Town] During Winter’
‘Client Success Stories from Our Dance Studio in [Your Area]’
Write blog posts, FAQs, or even video content featuring local fitness events and collaborations.
Optimise for Mobile and Speed
Most local searches happen on mobile, so your website must be mobile-friendly and fast-loading. To improve performance:
Use a responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes. Squarespace is great for this! Give us a shout for more info.
Reduce image sizes and use fast-loading formats like png and jpg.
Enable caching and use a content delivery network (CDN) to speed up your site.
Build Local Backlinks
Backlinks from reputable local sources increase your website’s authority. Earn local backlinks by:
Partnering with local wellness brands, nutritionists, and fitness bloggers.
Sponsoring local events, sports teams, or charity initiatives.
Getting featured in local press, blogs, or magazines.
Leverage Social Media for Local Engagement
Social signals indirectly influence SEO. To strengthen your local presence:
Use location tags on Instagram and Facebook posts.
Engage with local fitness influencers and clients.
Share local events and promotions to increase visibility.
Final Thoughts
Improving local SEO takes time, but implementing these strategies consistently will help your fitness studio rank higher on Google, attract more local clients, and grow your business. Start by optimising your Google Business Profile, using local keywords, and collecting client reviews - and you’ll see a difference in your local search rankings. For help with all of this, contact Rhea at Salthouse or use the form below :)