It’s crucial to ensure your website is up to scratch when running a CrossFit gym. The competition is growing rapidly, and if your website isn’t up to par, visitors will move on to the next one faster than you think. Below are five essential tips (in no particular order—they’re all important!) to help you evaluate whether your gym website is doing everything right.
1. Clean & User Friendly Design Keep it simple. Overcomplicated designs can frustrate users, driving them away before they even explore your gym’s offerings. A clean, user-friendly design is essential for creating a positive first impression. We recommend working with a professional who understands the industry and the importance of user experience. This ensures that your website not only looks great but also functions smoothly to keep visitors engaged.
2. Call To Action (CTA) A clear Call to Action (CTA) is your chance to guide visitors toward a specific action, such as signing up for a free taster session or downloading a resource. The CTA should be prominent, usually on your homepage and in the menu, and easy to spot on both desktop and mobile devices.
Below, Gym 1971 provides a great example with their CTA, which is visible at the top of the homepage and menu, ensuring potential members know exactly how to take the next step.
3. Mobile Ready Website With mobile traffic now surpassing desktop views, it’s vital that your website is optimised for mobile devices. A responsive framework allows your site to automatically adjust to different screen sizes, providing a seamless experience whether visitors are on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. Google also prioritises mobile-friendly websites in its rankings, so making sure your site is mobile-optimised is essential for both user experience and SEO.
4. Search Engine & Social Media Optimised Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is key to getting your website seen by potential members, but it can be a complex field. While professional SEO services are ideal, there are some basic SEO practices you can implement yourself:
Use short, descriptive URLs.
Set up proper title tags and meta descriptions.
Submit a sitemap to Google and other major search engines.
Ensure every page has a unique H1 tag with relevant keywords.
Add ‘alt’ tags to your images for better search indexing.
Make sure your site is mobile-friendly, as this is now a significant ranking factor.
Install an SSL certificate (https), which Google also considers in rankings.
Ensure fast loading times, and avoid budget web hosting that could slow down your site. Social media optimisation is equally important. Integrating social sharing buttons and showcasing your social media presence builds trust and keeps your community engaged.
For more on building an SEO-optimised site, check out our guide on How to Create the Best CrossFit Website .
5. Adhere to the CrossFit HQ affiliation requirements As outlined on the Official CrossFit Website Requirements , affiliates must follow specific rules when using the CrossFit trademark. To be included on the affiliate map and list, you need a live website that meets these standards.
The key requirements are:
Include a CrossFit Journal link on your homepage, linking to the “Start Here” page. You can easily add a badge from the CrossFit Journal .
If CrossFit isn’t the only service you offer, make sure you have a dedicated “CrossFit” page.
Display your CrossFit affiliate name prominently on your website.
Always capitalise the “F” in “CrossFit.”
Include your affiliate’s location —we recommend adding it to your contact page and footer for easy visibility. We hope you found this information helpful and if you’d like to find out more about how WEBWOD can help your CrossFit affiliate grow, please get in touch.
