As a fitness studio owner, you know the importance of a comprehensive online presence to attract potential customers. Optimizing your Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) is one of the best ways to improve your online visibility, and it's totally free! This Google tool allows you to manage your online presence across Google search and maps, and with a few simple optimization tips, you can improve your ranking to show up higher in potential client search results. Let's help you attract more clients to your fitness studio.

Claim and Verify Your Listing

The first step to optimizing your Google My Business account is to claim and verify your listing. Verification confirms that you are the official owner of your business and allows you to control the information on your listing. Many studio owners trip at this step because you'll be waiting for a physical postcard in the mail. Make sure your address is accurate and watch for that card, or you'll be stuck at this step forever. 

Complete Your Profile

Thoroughly fill out your profile, including your business name, address, phone number, website, business hours, and description. You want your profile to say "100% completed" when you're finished since Google uses that score to determine which profiles to show. Google also states that business pages with images receive 42% more requests for driving directions and 35% more website clicks. Maximize your profile by including photos representing the points from your description to encourage clients to click. Use high-quality images that showcase your fitness studio and its amenities in their best light, and check that the outside photo matches your building.

 Remember to include:

• Interior and exterior photos. Your clients will check the images for cleanliness, ease of parking, and general studio layout before getting in their car. 

• Your community. Customers searching for a new fitness business want to see if they'll fit in with the current clients. Show your friendly clients interacting in your gym and include a wide range of ideal client types that fall under your target client category. If you serve a specific demographic (e.g., prenatal moms), ensure your photos reflect the client you're looking to attract. 

• What to expect. Your job as a gym owner is to remove as many barriers as possible to help your new client purchase. Show off your studio so future clients can picture themselves walking in and eliminate surprises. A Google 360 tour is an effective way to make them feel comfortable without leaving their house. 

Remember to take advantage of Google's product purchase and book now options when completing your profile. You can link directly to your booking software for classes and purchase options, which means new clients are directed straight to purchase without wading through your website. 

Use Relevant Keywords

Incorporate appropriate keywords into your business name, description, and posts to help your business appear in search results when potential customers search for fitness studios in your area. The most significant room for improvement during most early coaching calls is in keyword usage, and it's also the easiest way to get a leg up on your competition who don't know what you do. Avoid keyword stuffing, but make sure your modalities and city are included in your name, description, and tags. If you want to take it a step further, check your website's SEO keyword description. It should include all of the above, as well.

Google States, "Local results are based on relevance, distance, and prominence. A combination of these factors helps us find the best match for your search." You can't change your distance from the individual typing, but you can optimize your Google Business relevance with keywords and prominence by regularly updating your profile to rank higher on potential customers' search results.

Encourage Customer Reviews

Encourage customers to regularly review your Google Business Profile through campaigns and autoresponders after class. Positive reviews improve your search engine rankings and attract more customers to your fitness studio. After each new review, comment with a thank you message. It demonstrates that you value your customers' feedback and are committed to providing excellent service. Plus, it helps you rank higher and shows a potential angry commentator that you are active and will respond to all reviews- including unfair criticism. 

Use Google Posts (Currently Called Updates)

Google updates allow you to share news, offers, and information about your fitness studio directly on your Google Business Profile. Use this feature to promote your classes, events, and workshops and include links to your website or landing pages on each post. Double dip your social media by using photos you posted to Instagram- just change the call to action to make it actionable. 

Use Google Q&A

Google Q&A lets potential customers ask questions about your fitness studio directly on your Google My Business listing. Answering these questions promptly and thoroughly can help build trust with potential customers. Pro tip: Ask an employee, friend, or trusted client to ask a specific question like, "is this studio good for beginners?" or, "are grip socks required?" to speak directly to your potential client and get ahead of any FAQs that could be holding them back. 

Perhaps most importantly, once your Google is complete, update it weekly with new pictures and posts. I know you're busy but remember the third most crucial search metric, according to Google, is how active your account is. You can set up a scheduler or assign this task to an employee, but it's essential if you want to rank in the top three without spending money on ads, and it shouldn't take more than five minutes.

These simple tips will dramatically improve your online visibility, attract more clients to your fitness studio and grow your business. So, take the time to optimize your Google My Business account and watch your studio climb the ranks of search results!