Event Information

Part of the Expanding Timer Revenue Series: Looking for a new way to add value and generate revenue as a timer? In this week’s Timer Tip Tuesday, we’re highlighting the opportunity to offer Custom Websites as a Service — using RunSignup’s V2 Website builder to create beautiful, functional event websites for your races.

A professional, easy-to-navigate website is often the first impression participants get of an event. By building and managing these sites, timers can ensure accurate setup, create a cohesive event brand, and help drive more registrations — all while offering a service that’s increasingly in demand. Whether included as part of your timing package or sold as a standalone service, custom website creation can help to increase your revenue.

Join us as we cover:

• An overview of RunSignup’s new website builder and its key capabilities
• How timers are using websites to help events better engage participants
• Revenue models: bundling with timing services, charging a flat design fee, or offering premium add-ons
• Best practices for designing sites that convert visits into registrations

If you’re ready to expand your offerings and provide a highly visible, high-impact service to your events, this session is for you!

View Slides

Summary of Webinar 

Overview

This Timer Tip Tuesday session explores custom race websites as a service and how timers can use RunSignup’s Website Builder V2 to differentiate their business, deepen client relationships, and create new revenue opportunities. The webinar walks through why websites matter for participant experience, how Website Builder V2 works, which components drive the most value, and how timers can package website setup alongside registration and marketing services. The session also highlights upcoming changes—like the eventual sunsetting of cover pages—that make this an especially timely opportunity for timers.

Why Websites as a Timer Service Matter

• A race website is often the first impression participants have of an event

• It directly affects:

  • Participant confidence and clarity

  • Sponsor visibility and activation

  • How often participants return to the site for information

• Websites are closely tied to:

  • Registration

  • Marketing

  • Participant self-service tools

Industry context:

• ~81% of timers offer services beyond timing

• Only ~25% explicitly list “custom websites” as a service

• Many timers already do this work informally—Website Builder V2 makes it easier to formalize and monetize

Why Use RunSignup for Race Websites

• Free hosting with no separate platform required

• Mobile-responsive and SEO-optimized

• Data-driven and automatically updated from race setup

• Deep integration with:

  • Registration

  • Email marketing

  • Participant self-service

• Keeps races fully inside the RunSignup ecosystem

• Opportunity for timers to include:

  • Their own branding

  • Links back to their timing company

  • Ongoing visibility to race directors

Website Builder V2: Getting Started

• Found under Race Website → Website Builder V2

• All-in-one builder with:

  • Sidebar navigation

  • Section-based layout

  • Drag-and-drop components

• Build and preview before going live

• Sites can be fully prepared in advance and published with one click

• Templates provide a fast starting point (especially for new races)

Important note:

• Cover pages will be sunset in the future, making Website Builder V2 the long-term solution

Templates & Core Structure

Recommended starting elements:

• Event tiles

• Clear navigation menu

• Registration access

• Key logistics pages (parking, packet pickup, directions)

• FAQ section

Templates help:

• Avoid starting from scratch

• Ensure essential information is included

• Speed up delivery for timer clients

Branding & Visual Identity Best Practices

• Update race theme, logo, and color scheme

• Use an evergreen logo (no year or “annual” references)

• Add a custom favicon for polish and brand recognition

• Ensure color contrast and legibility

• Keep styling consistent across sections

Best practice:

• Always test on both desktop and mobile before publishing

Event Tiles & Website Components

Website Builder V2 includes 40+ components, including:

Content Components

• Text

• Images

• Slideshows

• Cards

• Buttons

• Dividers

• PDFs

• Videos

Dynamic Components

• Countdown clocks

• Participant counts

• Donation thermometers

• Top fundraisers

• Top teams

• Locations (pulled from race setup)

Popular & High-Impact Components

• Event Tiles (essential for navigation)

• Strava Route Map (interactive course maps)

• FAQ Component (new and highly recommended)

• Contact Forms

• Social Media Links

Sections, Layouts, and Page Controls

• Sections support:

  • One, two, or three columns

  • Full-width or default width

  • Padding, borders, rounded corners

• Sections can have:

  • Custom URLs (deep linking)

  • Publish dates/times (useful for results pages)

Best practice:

• Add components to sections intentionally

• Use consistent layout styles to avoid visual inconsistency

Graphics & Content Placement Tips

• Use real race photos to tell the event’s story

• Slideshows are great for showcasing past race experiences

• Homepage banners should highlight:

  • Race experience

  • Medals, finish line, or crowd energy

• Avoid overly generic imagery when possible

• Use background colors and dividers to break up long pages

Results, FAQs, and Key Information

Important reminders:

• Results are not automatically included in Website Builder V2 navigation

• Best practice:

  • Add a results link manually

  • Use publish timing so results appear just after race start

Must-have pages/components:

• FAQ page

• Athlete guide / race-day info

• Course map (Strava recommended)

• Sponsors

• Donations

• Volunteers

• Contact form

Bring Your Own Domain (BYO Domain)

• Use a custom domain (e.g., myrace.com)

• Includes free SSL certificate

• Improves memorability and branding

• Keeps traffic from legacy websites

• Eliminates need for external hosting

• Maintains SEO strength while consolidating everything on RunSignup

Websites as a Paid Service: Pricing Ideas

Suggested approaches (timers should tailor to their market):

Option 1: Included Basic Setup

• For new race clients

• Logo, theme, template, core pages

• Helps races avoid default “vanilla” setup

Option 2: Flat-Fee Migration

• Move cover pages or external sites to Website Builder V2

• Especially relevant as cover pages sunset

• Can bundle with registration or marketing services

Option 3: Tiered Packages

• Basic setup

• Advanced setup (Strava maps, fundraising components, sponsor sections)

• Include visibility for the timing company as part of the site

Key principle:

• Timers market best by timing

• Second-best marketing is being visible where race directors already are

Best Practices & Key Takeaways

• Websites are closely tied to registration and marketing success

• Website Builder V2 makes it easy to:

  • Differentiate races

  • Improve participant experience

  • Create stickier timer–race relationships

• Custom websites are a strong upsell opportunity

• Focus on clarity, branding, and usability

• Always test before publishing

• Start using Website Builder V2 now to stay ahead of upcoming changes