Almost every gym website is built for the people who already train there. The schedule is front and center. Programs are described in words that assume you already know the difference between them. The photos show advanced students doing advanced things.
None of that speaks to the person deciding whether to join. They aren't comparing your curriculum to another academy's. They're wondering if they'll embarrass themselves, whether anyone there looks like them, and what happens in the first ten minutes of the first class. A site that can't answer those questions loses them to one that can.
What a beginner needs to see
- What actually happens in a first class, minute by minute
- What to wear and what to bring, in plain words
- Who teaches, with enough about them that they feel like real people
- Whether there are other beginners, other adults, and other people like them
- What it costs, or at least a rough idea
- One obvious next step that isn't 'contact us'
One academy, one website
A common problem for gyms is having too many pieces: a main site, a separate site for a second location or discipline, a booking system on a third website, and a schedule that disagrees with all of them. Each was added for a good reason. Together, they mean no one can tell what's current.
Pulling it all together is usually the most valuable change you can make: one site, one schedule, one look, and one place where the right information lives.
Intensity without intimidation
Combat sports and serious training have a real look and feel, and it's worth keeping. The mistake is letting it do all the talking. A site can look tough and still feel welcoming. Getting that balance right mostly comes down to what the photos show and who the words are written for.
For an academy with a strong reputation, mismatched websites and no clear first step for beginners, that balance is the whole job.
Common questions
What should a gym website have on the front page?
One clear next step for a beginner, and enough reassurance that taking it feels reasonable. The schedule matters, but it's for current members. The front page has to work for the person who hasn't joined yet.
Do we need online booking?
For a first class, some kind of easy, low-pressure booking almost always brings in more sign-ups, because it removes the phone call. Whether you need a full booking system or a simple form depends on how many people you get and how you handle new members.
We have two websites for two locations. Should we merge them?
Usually, yes. Two sites split your search strength, double the upkeep, and sooner or later one of them falls out of date. One site with clear sections for each location is almost always stronger.
Should we publish our prices?
At least give a rough idea. Hiding prices completely turns away serious prospects along with everyone else, and most people assume the worst when a number is missing. A starting rate or a range does the job without locking you into a full price list.
What does a gym website cost?
Projects start at $5,500. Merging several existing sites, moving a schedule over, or connecting a booking or membership system raises it from there.