SEO Case Study: How a Fitness App Increased User Registrations by 310%
On April 7, 2025, a fitness app company based in Santa Clara, California partnered with Goforaeo to improve organic visibility and drive more real user registrations. The app had strong features and good reviews, but their website was not attracting enough people who were actively searching for workout help in Santa Clara. We focused on fixing SEO gaps, improving local intent reach, and making the sign up path clearer.
This case study covers April 7, 2025 to October 31, 2025, with a clean baseline from March 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025. Results were tracked through GA4 events, Google Search Console, and Firebase analytics for app registrations. By October 2025, registrations from organic search increased by 310%, supported by steady month by month execution.
App overview and what was holding growth back in Santa Clara
The client is a fitness app that helps users follow workout plans, track progress, and join short challenges. They serve users across the Bay Area, but they wanted to grow a stronger base in Santa Clara because it matched their audience and partnerships. Their website existed mainly as a brand page, so it did not pull enough search traffic from people looking for workout solutions.
Before the campaign, most pages were not built around search intent. They had a few blog posts, but they were broad and not connected to sign ups. Their best features were not explained on dedicated landing pages, so visitors did not quickly understand the app value.
Local SEO signals were also weak. The brand was in Santa Clara, but the site did not clearly show it in the content structure. That made it harder to win searches that include the city name, which is common for people trying to find nearby support and community.
Baseline metrics used for before proof
We used March 2025 as the baseline so we could compare clean “before vs after” results. The baseline was pulled from GA4, Search Console, and Firebase registration reports. We also confirmed that conversions were tracked consistently on web and in app.
Baseline results for March 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025:
- Location focus: Santa Clara, California
- Organic sessions: 7,800
- Search Console clicks: 3,240
- Search Console impressions: 118,000
- Average CTR: 2.7%
- Tracked keywords in top 10: 22
- Tracked keywords in top 3: 4
- User registrations from organic: 65
- Organic registration conversion rate: 0.83%
- Share of non branded organic traffic: 52%
The biggest issue was intent match. The site was getting some visits, but not enough people were reaching the pages that actually led to registrations.
What counted as a user registration and how we tracked it
We tracked registrations with one clear rule: if a user completed the sign up flow and created an account, it counted. We did not count email captures, newsletter joins, or partial form starts. This kept the reporting honest and tied to real product growth.
We counted registrations from organic when:
- The session source was organic search in GA4.
- The user completed the sign up event on web, or the app registration was attributed back to organic via Firebase and deep link tracking.
- The action happened inside the reporting window, with spam filtered out.
To avoid confusion between web and app behavior, we set up event mapping so one registration meant the same thing everywhere. This also helped the team understand which landing pages created the most real users.
Tools used during the campaign
We used a practical tool stack and reviewed core data weekly. The point was not to use many tools, it was to make better decisions faster. Each tool had a clear role in the workflow.
Tools used from April 2025 to October 2025:
- Google Analytics 4: landing page tracking, sign up conversion paths, engagement checks.
- Google Tag Manager: clean event setup for registration steps and button clicks.
- Firebase Analytics: app registration tracking and attribution checks.
- Google Search Console: query growth, page performance, indexing status, CTR work.
- Ahrefs: keyword research, competitor gap checks, backlink monitoring.
- Screaming Frog: technical audits, internal linking review, metadata checks.
- Looker Studio: monthly reporting dashboard for the client team.
- Hotjar: scroll maps and recordings to spot sign up friction.
- PageSpeed Insights: mobile speed checks on key landing pages.
This setup made it easy to prove what changed and why. It also helped us move quickly when a page needed updates.
SEO strategy: How we made growth predictable
We followed a simple sequence so results could compound. First, we fixed technical and structure issues that block rankings and confuse visitors. Then we created feature and program pages that match what people search. After that, we built supporting content and local signals, and finally we improved conversions.
The strategy had five working parts:
- Technical cleanup and better crawl paths.
- New landing pages for high intent app features and workout needs.
- Santa Clara local intent pages that felt natural and useful.
- Content clusters built around problems users actually search.
- Conversion improvements that reduced drop off before registration.
This approach worked because app SEO is not only about traffic. It is about matching search intent and making the next step very easy.
Technical improvements that removed SEO friction
Inside this section, we focused on issues that reduce growth quietly. The site had a few crawl inefficiencies and content overlap that made it harder for Google to pick the best page. Mobile speed was also not stable on key pages, which matters because fitness searches are often mobile.
Core technical work shipped in April 2025:
- Fixed broken internal links and cleaned redirect chains.
- Improved title tags and meta descriptions for clearer intent.
- Adjusted index rules and removed thin pages that were not helpful.
- Improved page speed on the top registration landing pages.
- Strengthened internal links from blogs to key sign up focused pages.
These changes helped Google understand the site structure. They also made it easier for users to reach the right pages faster.
Landing pages rebuilt for real fitness search intent
Many fitness app sites talk about features in a vague way. We built landing pages that match how users search when they want a solution now. We also made each page simple, with clear sections and clear calls to action.
Landing page types we built and improved:
- Workout plan pages: beginner plans, strength plans, quick routines.
- Feature pages: progress tracking, habit reminders, challenge system.
- Problem pages: weight loss support, home workouts, busy schedule routines.
- Local pages: Santa Clara community angle and nearby use cases.
Each page was designed to answer questions quickly. We made sure each one had a simple path to register without extra steps.
Content plan that supported both rankings and trust
We avoided random blog topics. Instead, we focused on content that brings in people close to action, then guides them to the right landing page. We used Search Console to find questions already appearing for the site, then expanded into related topics.
Content themes that worked well:
- Short guides: “how to start working out again” and “simple weekly plan.”
- Comparisons: home workouts vs gym routines, and beginner mistakes.
- Local lifestyle topics: fitness habits for office workers in Santa Clara.
- App use cases: how tracking and challenges help consistency.
Every content piece had a natural next step to register. This is what turned content traffic into real users.
Local SEO layer for Santa Clara searches
Even for an app, local intent matters when people search for nearby support, challenges, or fitness communities. The client also ran small local partnerships, so location relevance helped trust. We added local signals without stuffing keywords.
Local SEO actions we completed:
- Built a Santa Clara focused page with real local context and FAQs.
- Added location language in a natural way on key pages where it made sense.
- Improved internal links so Santa Clara pages supported core sign up pages.
- Updated local business details where applicable and kept info consistent.
This helped the app show up more often for Santa Clara related searches. It also improved click quality because users felt the brand was closer to them.
Conversion improvements that increased registrations faster than traffic
A major part of the 310% growth came from conversion work. We used Hotjar to watch where people stopped reading, where they hesitated, and where they dropped off. Then we made the pages simpler and the sign up steps clearer.
Conversion changes shipped from June to October 2025:
- Clearer call to action placement above the fold on key pages.
- Fewer distractions on registration pages, with cleaner layout and copy.
- Stronger trust sections: app results examples, privacy notes, and support info.
- Improved mobile tap targets and reduced form friction.
- Better onboarding copy so users understood what happens after sign up.
This helped the site convert more of the traffic it already had. It also reduced low intent clicks that never register.
Month by month timeline with actions and results
Below is the monthly breakdown from launch through the final snapshot. Each month includes what we shipped and what the numbers showed. March 2025 remains the baseline month for before proof.
March 2025 baseline: March 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025
The site had some visibility, but sign ups were not scaling with traffic. The user journey was unclear, especially on mobile.
March 2025 results:
- Organic sessions: 7,800
- Search Console clicks: 3,240
- CTR: 2.7%
- Tracked keywords in top 10: 22
- User registrations from organic: 65
April 2025: April 7, 2025 to April 30, 2025
April focused on audits, technical cleanup, and quick page fixes. We also locked in event tracking so registration reporting stayed consistent. Early wins came from better metadata and clearer internal links.
What we did in April 2025:
- Full crawl audit and technical fixes.
- Title and meta rewrites for key pages.
- Internal linking improvements toward registration pages.
- GTM and GA4 event validation for sign ups.
April 2025 results:
- Organic sessions: 8,600
- Search Console clicks: 3,720
- Impressions: 126,500
- CTR: 2.9%
- Tracked keywords in top 10: 26
- User registrations from organic: 78
May 2025: May 1, 2025 to May 31, 2025
May was focused on landing page building. We created new pages for core workout needs and app features. We also improved page copy so users understood benefits in simple terms.
What we did in May 2025:
- Built 4 new high intent landing pages.
- Added FAQs based on Search Console queries.
- Improved mobile speed on the top 3 landing pages.
May 2025 results:
- Organic sessions: 10,200
- Search Console clicks: 4,460
- Impressions: 142,000
- CTR: 3.1%
- Tracked keywords in top 10: 33
- User registrations from organic: 102
June 2025: June 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025
June added content support and early conversion work. We published decision friendly content and linked it directly to landing pages. We also simplified the sign up layout for mobile users.
What we did in June 2025:
- Published 5 content pieces tied to workout intent.
- Added stronger internal links from content to sign up pages.
- Updated sign up page layout to reduce distractions.
June 2025 results:
- Organic sessions: 12,300
- Search Console clicks: 5,520
- Impressions: 165,800
- CTR: 3.3%
- Tracked keywords in top 10: 41
- User registrations from organic: 138
July 2025: July 1, 2025 to July 31, 2025
July focused on Santa Clara local intent and trust signals. We built a useful Santa Clara page, improved local context on key pages, and updated proof sections to reduce hesitation. We also improved snippets to increase clicks.
What we did in July 2025:
- Built and launched the Santa Clara focused page.
- Improved local context across top landing pages where natural.
- Updated meta descriptions to lift CTR on high impression queries.
July 2025 results:
- Organic sessions: 14,100
- Search Console clicks: 6,640
- Impressions: 188,400
- CTR: 3.5%
- Tracked keywords in top 10: 49
- User registrations from organic: 174
August 2025: August 1, 2025 to August 31, 2025
August focused on improving rankings for pages already close to page one. We expanded content depth, improved headings, and fixed cannibalization where two pages competed for similar intent. This helped push more keywords into top spots.
What we did in August 2025:
- Refreshed pages in positions 4 to 12 with better sections and FAQs.
- Consolidated overlapping content and tightened internal linking.
- Continued speed improvements on mobile landing pages.
August 2025 results:
- Organic sessions: 16,000
- Search Console clicks: 7,840
- Impressions: 214,700
- CTR: 3.6%
- Tracked keywords in top 10: 58
- Tracked keywords in top 3: 11
- User registrations from organic: 206
September 2025: September 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025
September was a conversion month. We used Hotjar to find friction points and improved the sign up flow. We also added clearer “what you get after sign up” sections to reduce uncertainty.
What we did in September 2025:
- Improved call to action placement on top 6 pages.
- Simplified form steps and reduced unnecessary fields.
- Added trust and privacy messaging close to the sign up button.
September 2025 results:
- Organic sessions: 17,800
- Search Console clicks: 8,940
- Impressions: 241,300
- CTR: 3.7%
- Tracked keywords in top 10: 66
- User registrations from organic: 235
October 2025 final snapshot: October 1, 2025 to October 31, 2025
October was focused on consolidation and pushing what already worked. We refreshed top performing pages, improved internal linking again, and updated older content so it matched current search intent. This month is used as the clean “after” snapshot.
What we did in October 2025:
- Updated top converting landing pages with clearer sections and fresh FAQs.
- Improved internal links from high traffic content to the best sign up pages.
- Refreshed older posts to match current query wording and intent.
October 2025 results:
- Organic sessions: 19,600
- Search Console clicks: 10,220
- Impressions: 268,900
- CTR: 3.8%
- Tracked keywords in top 10: 74
- Tracked keywords in top 3: 15
- User registrations from organic: 267
- Organic registration conversion rate: 1.36%
Before vs after proof: The 310% increase in user registrations
To keep proof clean, we compare the baseline month to the stable after month. March 2025 is the “before” snapshot and October 2025 is the “after” snapshot. This avoids cherry picking and shows a realistic growth story.
User registrations from organic search:
- March 2025: 65
- October 2025: 267
- Increase: 310%
Supporting changes that explain the result:
- Organic sessions: 7,800 to 19,600
- Search Console clicks: 3,240 to 10,220
- CTR: 2.7% to 3.8%
- Tracked keywords in top 10: 22 to 74
- Tracked keywords in top 3: 4 to 15
- Organic registration conversion rate: 0.83% to 1.36%
This shows the growth was not only traffic. It also came from better click quality and better conversion.
Why this worked for a fitness app in Santa Clara
This worked because we matched the site to how people actually search for fitness help. Instead of generic feature talk, we created pages that matched real needs like beginner plans, quick routines, and consistency support. When intent and page content match, rankings and conversions improve together.
It also worked because local trust was treated as part of SEO. Santa Clara users saw local context, and the site felt more relevant to them. That increased clicks and reduced bounce, which supported stronger performance over time.
Finally, conversion work was not left for the end. We improved the sign up path month by month. That is why registrations grew faster than traffic, especially in the last two months.