Martial arts clubs websites

[Jimmai]

Today I think I have spoken to 60% of the owners of all MA clubs in the UK.

I work in the sales department of a website design firm, and today for my sins I have been calling up every Dojo, Dojang, Gym, Store and club, trying to sell them a decent website. Not many people are interested sadly, but I did get to see a lot of fairly amusing websites today, here is one that sticks in my mind: http://www.neo-nunchaku.co.uk/

Any gym owners (or anyone really) got any advice on what kind of features might reel you in during a sales call?

I'll take note of some of the more interesting sites tomorrow if there are any.

Also, Wing Chun? Wing Chung? Ving Tsun? Have some Wing Tyun http://www.staffordwingtyun.co.uk/

[huge]

That nunchaku one is pretty appalling.

I'm actually in the midst of re-doing the website for my club. It's better than the original (which is\was an eyesore), but I think I'm getting too much client input on this one. There seems to be some opposing goals for the site coming from strong headed individuals.

Before: http://kyokushin-edmonton.webs.com/

After: http://www.ekkc.ca/

It's still early days on the new design. I've basically just moved the content to the new site.

Anyway, I can't really offer you any advice, so best of luck.

[Permalost]

Any gym owners (or anyone really) got any advice on what kind of features might reel you in during a sales call?

The tricky part is that plenty of martial arts teachers aren't drawn to good business practices and may indeed be skeptical of for-profit martial arts (maybe they've been burned or frustrated by mcdojos) so its a tricky group to sell to. I think the best way to cater to this type is to emphasize how your product will make it easier to focus on the teaching side of things. Also it doesn't help that a lot of older teachers think that their 1996 Angelfire site is just fine. It's got an animation of a rotating yin/yang and everything!

[Lv1Sierpinski]

plenty of martial arts teachers aren't drawn to good business practices

Quoted for irony.

To the OP, I can't speak as an owner, but as a consumer one of my biggest gripes it the occasional black hole that is getting in touch with people (unreturned e-mails, leaving message on phones, etc.). Jumping off from Permalost's 'Angelfire' comment I'd say one avenue you might emphasize (though you probably have already) is how properly set up social interfaces make it a) super easy and transparent and b) inline with what kids today expect.

[Mr.Miyagi]

Urgh, clearer lead in of information leading to more people trialling classes and then paying memberships.

Being able to show that people will USE YOUR SITE and HOW THEY GET THERE, make sure Google Analytics if fucking used on those sites for actual lazy tracking metrics.

Have fucking up to date photos of yourself and training pictures.

Have some fucking up to date images of classes on there as to size and rank spread, women/men/and kids classes if you have them.

Clean, clear information on time table of classes, at least some fucking information about your payment or membership cycles (don't fucking hide this all the time, I know Omega does as you can judge based on costs, but at least fucking explain WHY they aren't on there for this reason. Use it as a weapon.).

If you're gym is using social media use a social media plug in if that's where you're most active, don't get a fucking awesome website if you won't use it.

Is it for retaining students or for bringing new students in? Most should be both, pride for their school and showing awesome facts for potential new students.

Avoid fucking shitty stock photography, real photos, real people.

Lighter colours are better than overbearing darker colours.

Use a fucking font that's normal for readability.

/end work rant before I get drunk.

EDIT:

Search friendly URLS lead to a greater organic search ranking.

Make sure your fucking domain is what your school is called or if affiliated, what it's called and where it fucking is.

[Rock Ape]

That was 11 fucking's in one post.

Sure you're not already pissed ?

[Resonance10]

http://www.staffordwingtyun.co.uk/

Jesus.. more variations on Wing Chun/Tsun/ whatever..is it a style or a virus?

[Mr.Miyagi]

That was 11 fucking's in one post.

Sure you're not already pissed ?

Thinking about fucking work stuff makes me swear a lot. Then I think about the fucking awful martial art websites out there, and then the PILE of CORPSE looking websites in general and this is the only fucking way to release this filth from my brain.

I'm so sorry to all the fucking children reading this.

[Ignorami]

Would this be a good thread to post our own club websites for feedback*?



*Feedback maybe even perhaps taking the form of something useful, rather than "IIIIEEEEEEEE, YOUR WEBSITE COCKMUNCH BIG MUNCH COCK"