Start with what the website must achieve
List the most important outcomes:
- Explain the kind of gym and its location.
- Show the real facilities.
- Make membership choices understandable.
- Support tours, trials or joining.
- Present classes and trainers accurately.
- Help relevant local customers find you.
- Allow essential information to be maintained.
Avoid beginning with a list of visual effects. A large background video matters less than a reliable membership journey.
Our gym website design guide sets out the core approach.
1. Ask to see relevant work
Look for evidence of clear service information, real imagery and workable mobile layouts. Relevant experience helps, but a designer should explain how it applies to your particular gym.
Ask which projects are live, which are concepts and which are still in development. A concept can demonstrate design ability; it should not be presented as a proven business result.
At Gee Web Design, project status and claims should remain accurate. We do not need to invent membership increases to explain a thoughtful design decision.
2. Review the mobile experience yourself
On your own phone:
- Find membership information.
- Find the address and hours.
- Try the enquiry route.
- Open the class timetable.
- Follow a joining link.
Observe the whole task, not just the first screen. Ask how the designer tests keyboard use, form errors and booking embeds.
3. Check membership and booking integration knowledge
A designer should clarify whether they are linking to an existing system, embedding supported features or building something bespoke.
Ask:
- Which provider tools are supported?
- Who supplies account-specific links?
- How are pricing changes managed?
- Who tests the joining journey?
- Which elements remain with the provider?
See our guide to Ashbourne integration, or ClubRight integration, or GymMaster integration.
Do not confuse a website build with replacing the payment and administration platform.
4. Ask what happens to existing search visibility
If you already have a site, the designer should review valuable pages before changing URLs or removing content.
Ask about:
- Existing traffic and enquiries
- Old-to-new URL mapping
- Permanent redirects where necessary
- Canonical and indexing settings
- Sitemap updates
- Post-launch checks
A promise to “include SEO” is too vague. Read gym website redesign for the migration questions.
- 1Discovery
- 2Content
- 3Design
- 4Integration
- 5Testing
- 6Handover
5. Define who writes the content
Who prepares membership information, coach biographies, FAQs and service descriptions? Who checks factual accuracy?
A quotation may include content preparation, require client-supplied copy or price writing separately. None is inherently wrong, but it must be clear.
The gym remains the source for real prices, terms, facilities and services. Do not expect a designer to guess them.
Our gym website features guide can help organise the content list.
6. Agree photography and asset responsibilities
Real photography is important. Ask whether the designer uses existing images, arranges a shoot or expects the gym to supply files.
Confirm permission to use member photographs. Avoid images of an unrelated gym presented as yours.
For planning, create a shoot list covering the entrance, training floor, coaches, classes and practical facilities. Agree permissions and image preparation in the brief.
Want a clear, written scope?
Tell us about your gym and we’ll set out exactly what’s included.
7. Understand editing and handover
Ask which content staff can edit and whether training is included.
A useful CMS lets the gym update routine information without accidentally changing layout or indexing settings. Editing rights should suit the person using them.
Clarify:
- Login ownership
- Roles and permissions
- Editable content
- Revision or recovery arrangements
- Support for mistakes
- What requires development work
8. Confirm ownership and ongoing costs
Keep the domain under the gym’s control. Clarify ownership of code, content, assets and accounts in the agreement.
Third-party software and licensed assets may have their own terms. Website ownership does not necessarily mean every external component has no conditions.
Ask about hosting, domains, support, paid plugins or services, software subscriptions and migration arrangements. Our gym website maintenance guide explains ongoing responsibilities.
9. Get a written scope
A useful proposal states:
- Pages and functionality
- Integrations and exclusions
- Content responsibilities
- CMS requirements
- Revisions
- Launch dependencies
- Price and payment schedule
- Ongoing charges
- Handover and support
- Change-request process
Compare like-for-like requirements rather than the lowest headline price.
10. Be cautious about guarantees
No designer can guarantee Google rankings or a fixed number of members from a website alone.
A designer can commit to agreed deliverables, testing and an implementation process. Commercial outcomes also depend on demand, reputation, prices and staff follow-up.
Use gym SEO costs to evaluate ongoing search work separately.
Questions to bring to a discovery call
| Question | A useful answer should clarify |
|---|---|
| What would you improve first? | Evidence and business priorities |
| What is included? | Concrete pages and deliverables |
| How will joining work? | Supported provider journey |
| What happens to old URLs? | Migration process |
| Can we update the site? | CMS scope and training |
| What costs continue? | Hosting, support and subscriptions |
| What will be tested? | Forms, mobile, links and launch checks |
| What do you need from us? | Assets, facts, access and feedback |
Discovery-call checklist
- What would you improve first?
- What is included?
- How will joining work?
- What happens to old URLs?
- Can we update the site?
- What costs continue?
- What will be tested?
- What do you need from us?
How Gee Web Design approaches gym websites
Gee Web Design focuses on UK health, beauty, fitness and wellness businesses. For gyms, we plan the structure around memberships, facilities, classes, trainers and a sensible first-visit journey.
Professional gym projects typically start with Business Growth from £995. Complex membership, booking or multi-location requirements are individually quoted. Smaller solo-professional websites start from £495.
The written scope confirms inclusions and responsibilities. Ongoing SEO is available separately at £195 or £295 per month.
View our website and SEO packages and gym website costs.
Ready to discuss the brief?
You do not need a polished technical specification before contacting us. Bring your current URL, location, membership system and the main outcomes you want.
Use the gym website audit checklist if you would like to organise existing issues first, or discuss your gym website with Gee Web Design.
Bring your goals — we’ll bring a clear plan
Share your URL, location and membership system for an honest written quote.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a designer who only works with gyms?
Not necessarily. Relevant understanding and a clear process matter. The designer should show how they will handle your specific customer journey.
Is the cheapest quotation the best value?
Only if it covers the work you need. Compare scope, ongoing costs and responsibilities.
Should I keep my domain?
Usually. A redesign does not itself require a new domain. Keep business ownership and access clear.
Can I keep my existing membership platform?
Often, using supported joining and booking tools. Confirm the actual options before design begins.
Will a CMS let me edit everything?
Not necessarily, and that may be desirable. Agree which routine content is editable and which structural changes need support.
What should I send Gee Web Design?
Your website address, gym location, current system and main goals. Relevant content and assets can follow through an agreed process.
Related gym guides
Gym Website Cost
What a gym website costs and what changes the price.
Gym Website Audit Checklist
Organise the problems with your current site before a call.
Gym Website Redesign
Protect search visibility and URLs when rebuilding.
Gym SEO Costs UK
Evaluate ongoing search work separately from the build.
Still deciding whether to hire anyone? Compare the workload in DIY vs professional gym website.
Author
Written by Gee Web Design. Last reviewed: .