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Database Design

You Need to Build a River

Building a river means creating a thousand different supporting streams that reinforce the overall flow of information online. Each page of your website has value and search engine potential, including the primary categories, sub-categories, and individual pages; if you can connect each one, guiding the visitor from one element to the next, you can create a stream of information that will keep them engaged and interested.

Start with the most basic exercises and concepts before you get into the more complicated programs. This will allow you to backlink to your basic content on the more advanced pieces. For example, if you’re explaining an overhead squat, you would want to put a line on the page about ensuring that they have the basic squat perfected first: “This exercise requires that you have a perfect basic squat. Refer to this page to make sure you do before you try this advanced variation.”

Databases Versus Blogs

You are not creating a “blog” if you’re Content Marketing. You’re creating a database of information that directly or indirectly supports your product or service (at least when it comes to the strategy I outline in this book).

The definition of the word “database” is pretty simple:

database: a comprehensive collection of related data organized for convenient access

The keyword in the definition is “related”. While a blog may have a bunch of information in regards to the broad subject of “fitness,” they don’t usually break that information down into organized chunks.

Our goal is to create a series of databases that somehow relate to your product or service, gently guiding people towards purchasing. In addition, we’re looking to become a go-to resource for a certain type of information. We want people to come to our websites first, rather than going to a search engine to find the information.

Imagine a potential client is looking for information regarding the kettlebell swing exercise. Rather than typing “kettlebell swing” into a search engine, you want them to go directly to your website, click on the Kettlebell Exercise database, and find it there instead.

The easiest way to think about doing this is to look at the segment of your offering that is the easiest to organize. In fitness, this is usually related to workouts, exercises, methodologies, and nutritional information. Here I’ll outline how a database may look for each one.

The Workout Database

Workout Databases are probably one of the easiest types to create. They can be comprised of almost any media, from text to photos to videos (your choice). In terms of organization, I’ve found that this structure works well:

  • Strength Workouts
    • Barbell Strength Workouts
    • Kettlebell Strength Workouts
    • Bodyweight Strength Workouts
  • Conditioning Workouts
    • Barbell Conditioning Workouts
    • Kettlebell Conditioning Workouts
    • Bodyweight Conditioning Workouts
  • Muscle Mass Workouts
    • Barbell Muscle Mass Workouts
    • Kettlebell Muscle Mass Workouts
    • Bodyweight Muscle Mass Workouts

This type of database could also be broken up by duration, implement, or objective.

The Exercise Database

Exercise Databases are another type of information that is easy to organize. The easiest type of media to use with this category is short, embedded videos. Here is a sample layout:

  • Kettlebell Exercises
    • Upper Body Exercises
    • Lower Body Exercises
    • Core Exercises
    • Full Body Exercises
  • Sandbag Exercises
    • Upper Body Exercises
    • Lower Body Exercises
    • Core Exercises
    • Full Body Exercises
  • Barbell Exercises
    • Upper Body Exercises
    • Lower Body Exercises
    • Core Exercises
    • Full Body Exercises

The Methodology Database

Methodology Databases will be more limited. However, they will allow you to quickly build a list of information that many people will be interested in. Here is a sample layout:

  • Barbell Methodologies
    • Olympic Lifting Techniques
    • Power Lifting Techniques
    • Basic Lifting Techniques
  • Kettlebell Methodologies
    • Kettlebell Sport Techniques
    • Isometric Lifting Techniques
    • Ballistic Lifting Techniques
  • Odd Object Methodologies
    • Atlas Stone Lifting Techniques
    • Sandbag Lifting Techniques
    • Boulder Lifting Techniques

The Nutritional Database

Nutritional Databases could be a phenomenal source of traffic using relatively easy-to-create content. Here is a sample layout for a database based on preparation time:

  • Quick Snack Recipes
    • Low Carb Recipes
    • High Protein Recipes
    • Zero Sugar Recipes
  • 10-Minute Meal Recipes
    • Low Carb Recipes
    • High Protein Recipes
    • Zero Sugar Recipes
  • 30-Minute Meal Recipes
    • Low Carb Recipes
    • High Protein Recipes
    • Zero Sugar Recipes
  • 4 Course Meal Recipes
    • Low Carb Recipes
    • High Protein Recipes
    • Zero Sugar Recipes