20 Simple Tips for Website Design for Therapists

Jan 19, 2016 by Ann

For counseling interns and therapists newly launched into private practice, there’s no scarcity of information out there about building a website.

Unfortunately, there’s so much information that I think it’s quite easy for people to get really overwhelmed.

So, I’ve put together a list of 20 short tips for website design, based on the experience I’ve gained over the last five years in putting together a practice.  

I’m by no means an expert on this subject matter, but this is what I’ve learned from the experts.  So, read  and implement at your own risk!

General design

1.) Make sure your website is mobile-friendly.

2.) Canned sites are easier to launch but your online presence isn’t as portable—plan accordingly.

3.) You don’t have to have a logo, especially at first.

4.) Have a contact form or your contact information on every page.

5.) Have a clear menu—don’t confuse readers with clever language.  Be direct.

Copy

6.) Write simply and conversationally—8th grade level or less—and avoid jargon.

7.) Keep your copy focused on the client—have a lot more ‘you’ than ‘I’ language.

8.) Have a designated page that talks in depth about your specialty/ideal client.

9.) Use keywords thoughtfully throughout your site to improve your SEO.

10.) Include a call to action.  (What do you want your site visitors to do?)

Blog

11.) Have a blog, if you can write well & commit to writing a few times per month.

12.) Keep most posts to 500-700 words each with a few over 1000 words.

13.) Break up the text with photos and white space for readability.

14.) Have your post titles include keywords, so they’re searchable.

15.) Ditch the academic tone.  Write first to connect, then to inform.

Photos

16.) Include a photo of yourself on your site. Smile.  Look at or slightly up to the camera.

17.) If using other photos on your site, make sure they are free to use/not under copyright.

18.) Ask others for feedback on how you come across in your photo.

19.) Make sure your own photo has good lighting and a pleasing background.

20.) Consider hiring a professional.  People do pick therapists based partly on the photo.

Do you have a tip to share?  

Do you disagree with something on the list!  

Tell me all about it in the comments below!