Part I: Running Your Business Online

Not so long ago a Personal Trainer’s online presence would consist of a simple website with their contact details. Today, if you create a website that is little more than an online leaflet that's exactly how your clients are likely to treat it; skimming it once and then discarding it.

Users of the internet now expect much more; 64% access the internet every day, and 26 million of them made an online purchase in the last three months.

People like the convenience the internet offers and if they can find you there, and if it’s an easy process to do so, they are willing to book and pay for sessions with you online. This also means you will spend less time playing telephone tag and chasing business.

So how do you do it? The good news is that you no longer have to spend hundreds or thousands of pounds to put your business online. There are a number of existing websites that can provide all the tools you need to interact with your clients. There are also sites specifically designed to support your business.

For example, at clocksushi.com, where I'm the Chief Technology Officer, we’ve developed a website enabling independent trainers to put their diary online. Clients can check when you are available, book and even pay for your sessions online. Text message alerts are sent to prevent double bookings, and you can send texts to control your diary, even when you're not near a computer. The site is designed to be as easy to use whether you operate a single kind of training session in one location, or offer a range of sessions, including group training from multiple locations. It also includes an easy to update micro-website for each trainer, including a blog.

With clocksushi.com and other sites offering a complete online booking system, now is a great time to take your fitness business to a new level of service your clients expect.

Ken Cameron has over 20 years experience in software technology development. You can contact him at: ken [dot] online [at] clocksushi [dot] com