,

404 Errors & Redirects: Everything a Private Practice Owner Needs to Know

With approximately 8,910 psychiatrists, 22,530 psychologists, and 41,660 mental health counselors in private practice in the U.S. as of 2015 according to Wonder, you need to do what you can to get and keep traffic on your site.

Unfortunately, many mental health providers and other helping professionals we work with have multiple 404 errors on their sites. And the truth is that this can be a pretty significant issue.  When visitors to your site are frequently finding themselves landing on a random page stating that the page they were looking for isn’t available, it can be frustrating!

It’s important to pay attention to 404 errors on your site and to redirect those urls to other, relevant pages on your site. Then, people will be able to find the information they need to book your services. And you can keep them from leaving, telling search engines that your content isn’t worth showing to others.

What Is a 404 Error or Redirects?

A 404 error is what happens when a visitor types in a URL or clicks on a link that doesn’t lead to an active page. If you decide to change the URL for one of your pages, you may still have old links out there.

Unfortunately, search engines may also still show the old link to people searching. If that link leads to nowhere, you can confuse the visitors, and you may lose traffic.

Redirects

But you can use redirects to take the visitor to an active page. The redirect can then tell search engines about the new page and start showing the correct URL. You also don’t have to worry about the old URL circulating because the redirect will correct it.

There are two kinds of redirects, one that’s meant to be permanent (what I use the most) and one temporary (example: you’re updating a page). But we’ll talk about that more in a moment.

Just know that a redirect is the “quick” way to fix a 404 error and it ensures that anyone who goes to the non existent page will actually reach a live page on on your site.

So….What’s a “404 Redirect?”

I’ve heard many private practice owners talk about “404 Redirects.” Honestly, that’s not really a thing. What they mean is a 301 or 302 redirection to “fix” a 404 error by redirecting someone from a page that doesn’t actually exist at this moment to an active page on the website. However, I will use the term “404 redirect” occasionally in this post some since it is something I’ve heard used in our field and a term you may be comfortable with. Just know that technically speaking, 404 redirect isn’t actually the term I would typically use-you use a 301 or 302 redirect to fix a 404 error.

Are there disadvantages to using a redirect?

The disadvantage is that if you have too many redirections on your site it can slow things down which has a negative impact on user experience. And, when you do various “site audits” this is going to show up as a potential issue on your site. For this reason, when I find a 404 error for a page that is linked to from another page on my site my preference, when practical, is to go to the page that links to the broken page and instead change the internal link directly on the page so it goes to a “live” page.

However, this isn’t always practical. For example, if the 404 errors comes up when someone goes to a bad link on an external page you can’t always have that changed so you’ll need a redirect. Or, if you have a ton of broken pages (our record was over 400 on a site that had transferred a blog from WordPress to SquareSpace!) it would simply take too much time to manually fix every single now broken internal link.

So, often redirections are really helpful to fix 404 errors, but just know if you can quickly fix a link at the source that may be a better option.

Why Would I have 404 Errors on my Site?

The two most common 404 errors we see on private practice websites happen when someone changes the slug on a page of their website or deletes an old page of their website. Business owners are often surprised how common it is to have 404 errors on their website, but this is an issue we frequently see come up on private practice websites.

Photo of a url with the last portion of the url reading teen-counseling circled and an arrow with the word "slug" pointing to it to emphasize the importance of optimizing a slug on a website to improve SEO.404 Errors caused by changing the “slug” on a website

This is an example of the url for my “Teen Counseling” page.  If keyword research showed me that there were more searches for “Teen Therapy” and I was to change this slug to “teen-therapy” without creating a redirect, the page “aspirecounselingmo.com/teen-counseling would no longer exist.

If I made that change, Google may take awhile to catch up so it may still have the old url show up in search results but when people click on it they’d be taken to a page saying there was a 404 error and that url doesn’t exist anymore.

404 Errors caused by deleting a page

Now, I want to be clear here that I’m all for keeping your website updated! However, too often I see private practice owners or their staff delete a page on a website without creating a redirect or finding every other place that might possibly link to that page.  The problem? It looks a bit unprofessional.

For example, I had a play therapist at my private practice for a bit and created an elaborate “Counseling for Children” page on our website.  Then, as can sometimes happen, she left.  We didn’t have anyone else at the time interested in treating children. If I had simply deleted that page, then everywhere on our website we had linked to that page or outside links that went to that page (we were on some directories for parents that went straight to that page) would have landed on a 404 page. But I didn’t do that.

Instead, I took the page off our navigation menu so it wouldn’t be so easy to find.  Then, I clicked the button so Google would no longer index that page (so it wouldn’t show up in search results) and added a note to the top of that page saying at this time we weren’t seeing children. A couple years later, a new therapist started with us who does seem some children.  I updated the page to reflect her specialties, added it back to the drop down menu and again asked Google to index that page.

404 Errors when a page doesn’t exist

There is a third option. Sometimes, someone types in a website url that doesn’t exist. For example, if you typed “https://simplifiedseoconsulting.com/404-errors” when you were trying to get to this page, you’d get to our 404 redirect page. Why? Because that is the incorrect url. That page doesn’t exist.

I’ve seen this happen when someone links to a website but forgets the final character or something along those lines. I’ve also seen it happen when someone *thinks* they know the url they are going to but actually types too quickly and misspells.

This is an example of a 404 error that is difficult to fix with a redirection, because it’s hard to predict how someone might misspell your url. So, just keep in mind that 404 Errors happen. No matter how careful you are, people may occasionally reach a 404 error when visiting your site. But redirections can help with many of the other types of 404 errors and therefore improve the overall user experience on your website.

Why Redirects Are Important to fix 404 Erros

404 redirects are important for a few reasons, including search engine optimization. You may be able to get away with having one or two 404 errors, but you don’t want to have a ton.

Redirects can correct those errors when you decide to change a URL. Then, you can keep your website up, and you can make sure people will find what they need.

Consider a couple of benefits of 404 redirects in more detail.

Maintain Your SEO

If you have a ton of 404 errors and don’t redirect those pages, that can tell Google to rank your site lower in search. That can decrease the number of views you get from SEO, which can hurt your overall website traffic and business.

Redirecting 404 errors can tell search engines what URL to start showing people in search results. Then, people will be able to find the information they need right away.

You can then change URLs to include keywords and help your SEO. And you can tell the crawlers that your site is easy to use and that it deserves to show up in search results.

Keep Visitors

Not only can 404 redirects help search engines, but they can also help visitors have a good user experience on your site. If they click on an old link, the redirect will take them to the correct page.

That can keep you from confusing your potential new clients with a bunch of 404 error pages. If visitors do run into a lot of 404 errors, some may still go to the effort of continuing to navigate around your site to find what they need, but others may leave your site and go elsewhere.

The easier you can make using your site, the easier it will be to keep visitors. Then, you’ll have a chance to convert those visitors into clients.

How to Know If You Need Redirections

One of the worst things about 404 error pages is that you may not always know if you need one. Now, you can know that you’ll need a redirect if you change a URL to include a keyword, for example.

But if you haven’t changed anything in a while, you may still miss out on 404 redirects. You may have changed a URL a few months back, or you might have deleted an old page you don’t need anymore.

Either way, you can check a 404 redirect to see if you need to add one to help your on-page SEO. Consider the following ways to find out if you need a redirect.

Google Search Console

Google Search Console is a tool that you can install on your website to help track searches. The tool can tell you if there are any errors or other problems with your site, including 404 errors.

Then, you can go into your website to add in a 404 redirect code to make sure people get to the correct page. Google Search Console is free, and you can set it up easily, especially if you use WordPress.

You’ll be able to track the keywords that get clicks to your website as well as your website traffic. That way, you’ll know which pages and posts you can check to make sure they have 404 redirects if necessary.

Simplified SEO Consulting’s Data Dashboard

At Simplified SEO Consulting, we offer a data dashboard that includes a site audit tool for our paying clients. The tool lists all of the pages that have 404 errors, so you can go down the list when creating redirects.

Then, you don’t have to set up Google Search Console or another tool. You won’t need a ton of technical knowledge to learn how our site audit tool works.

Soon enough, you’ll be able to check the tool regularly for SEO issues. And you will be able to correct the issues as they appear to keep them from affecting your SEO.

Complaints

You may also learn about 404 errors from your clients, team members and visitors. Someone may try to read a blog post or book an appointment with you, only to land on a 404 page.  If you’re lucky, they let you know. Sadly, you can’t rely on this because some people may not take the time to contact you.More often I’ve heard about it from a staff member who was navigating our site and found an issue. So, now I check our data dashboard pretty regularly to make sure I catch these things BEFORE someone else finds them. That way, I can fix the error before it affects my website traffic.

Your Own Discovery

When editing your website, you may come across a 404 error yourself. For example, you might go through your most popular pages and posts and click on all of the links to make sure they work.

If a page or post leads to an old URL, you will get a 404 error. Then, you will know you need to add a redirect so that your visitors can go to the correct page if they click on that link.

If you don’t want to use a specific tool and if your site doesn’t have a ton of content, consider searching links regularly. It may take time, but you can make sure all of your links work as they should.

How to Create a Redirect to Fix 404 Errors

Each website platform has a slightly different way for you to fix 404 errors or set up redirects.

Redirects for 404 Errors WordPress

It may sound like adding 404 redirects requires a lot of coding knowledge or expertise. Fortunately, a good 404 redirect plugin can help WordPress users take control of their website.

Important note about 404 Errors & Redirect Plugins for WordPress users:

Often, this process of creating redirects can be super simple on WordPress. However, it’s important to know it typically requires a plugin that is compatible with your website and safe/secure. We’ve seen several of these that work, but most website developers have specific plugins they prefer to use. For instance, one of the popular plugins may have some security risk if used on it’s own, but when used in combination with a security plugin is both safe and easy to use. Therefore, please work with your website developer to identify the best plugin, and how to properly set up redirects for your specific website.

If you are bound and determined to move forward without a WordPress developer’s support (I see you DIYers out there!), here are a few steps you can follow to set up 404 redirects on your WordPress site.

Install a Redirection Plugin

If you use WordPress, you can download a good plugin to handle the technical part of redirects for you. Then, all you need to know is which URLs are old and which URLs you need to send those old links to. Again, I would caution you to check in directly with a website developer for recommendations. I’m going to describe using a very common plugin, but it doesn’t mean this is the best one nor the one a website developer would point you toward.

“Redirection” is one of these plugins you can use to create redirects as a solution for 404 erros. Redirection is a free 404 redirect plugin that you can use to handle redirects for your entire website. You can use it to set up temporary or permanent redirects.

Go to the Plugins section of your dashboard and click Add New. Then, you can search for “redirection” and add the plugin to your website.

Once you install the plugin, you can configure settings for logs and redirects. Then, you can add new redirects whenever you discover a new 404 error page.

Check for Errors

When you install the Redirection plugin, you’ll want to navigate to “Tools” and then “Redirection” to access the settings. You can then head to the tab that says “404s” to see what 404 errors your site has.

If you have any errors, you’ll see them in a list with the date, source URL, user agent, and IP. Then, you’ll know which links you need to update to make sure people find what they need.

Add Redirects

Head back to the Redirects tab and click on Add New to create a new redirect. Then, you will need to input the old URL that is leading to a 404 page, and you can select if you want to ignore parameters or not.

You can then add the target URL (the new URL) that you want the old URL to lead to. If you click on the gear icon, you’ll access more settings, which lets you choose if you want to redirect the URL or if you want to leave it as a 404 error.

The settings also let you decide if you want to redirect when just the URL matches or if you also want to track cookies, login status, or something else.

Select the Right Type

One of the most significant reasons to click on the gear icon when adding a redirect is to choose the redirect type. A 301 redirect is permanent, so it’s useful if you update the URL to include a keyword for SEO.

The redirect will tell search engines to start indexing and showing the new URL. That way, people will go straight to the page or post they need to to find the right content.

A 302 redirect is a temporary redirect, and it’s useful if you want to update one of your main pages. However, this will tell search engines to keep indexing the old URL, so it’s not suitable for changing URLs.

To be honest, I almost always end up using 301 redirections, because the redirects I make on my website are usually permanent.

How to Create 301 Redirect to Fix a 404 Error on Squarespace

While WordPress is a popular website design platform, you might use Squarespace. Fortunately, the steps for adding 404 error redirects to a Squarespace site aren’t too difficult and many of the practice owners we work with have been able to do this on their own.

You may need to write a bit of redirect code, but Squarespace makes it easy to input the code you need. And if you miss something or add too many details, the platform will alert you.

Here’s how to create a redirect to fix 404 errors when you use Squarespace.

Go to Settings

In your Squarespace account, you’ll need to go to your Home menu and click on Settings and then Advanced. You don’t need to download or install anything on your website to be able to set up the redirects.

If you find yourself creating 404 redirects often, you may want to bookmark the settings page. That way, you won’t have to navigate your Squarespace backend every time.

Gather the URLs

Before or after you find your settings page, you will need to list out the URLs that need redirects. Be sure to separate the slug from the rest of the URL.

The slug is the part after your main domain. So if the URL in question is example.com/blog, “blog” would be the slug, and you will need to use that to create your 404 redirect.

Consider what URLs you need to redirect the old ones to and add those to your list. Again, you’ll need to separate the slug from the rest of the URL to format the redirects.

Format the Redirects

Once you’re in your settings on the Advanced page, you will be able to create a URL redirect. First, you’ll input the slug for the old link, then you will leave a space and type “->” to show Squarespace it will be a redirect.

Next, you will need to add the slug for the new link to tell Squarespace where the old URL will lead. The last element you need is the type of redirect, either a 301 or 302. As stated above, I typically use a 301 but make sure you’re paying attention and choosing the right one for your site.

Leave a space after the new URL before you type the number based on the redirect you want to create. Then, you can save everything to make sure the changes apply to your site.

Create a Custom 404 Page

Screen Shot of the 404 Redirect Page for errors on Aspire Counseling's Private Practice Website

You may choose not to use 404 redirects for every 404 error. For example, if you delete a page without creating anything to replace it, it’s fine to tell users the page no longer exists.

However, you may want to create a custom 404 page. Then, you can include some text or an image explaining the error, and you can make sure the page is on brand and looks good on your website.

This is an example of the Custom 404 Error page I’ve created for my own Private Practice website. I do change it up from time to time and it’s far from perfect-a professional website developer can probably build you a much “prettier” or better branded 404 Redirect page. But it gets the job done.

On the Custom 404 Page for my own private practice website, I’ve included links to each of our primary services as well as links to the our most popular blog posts.  Since we have hundreds of blog posts, I chose the ones that are either showing up the most in search results (determined from looking at Google Search Console data) or most visited (based on Google Analytics). Of course, there was a lot of overlap between the two but they weren’t exactly the same.

What do I include on a custom 404 page?

You want to include links to the most commonly visited pages on your website. These are the pages someone is most likely to have tried to visit when they end up on the 404 page. And, since your goal is to prevent that person from leaving your website altogether having links to some of the “best” pages on your website encourage them to remain on your page.

Examples of Custom 404 Pages for Private Practices

How Will You Handle 404 Errors & Redirects?

If you’ve used the internet a lot, you’ve probably come across at least one or two 404 errors. 404 redirects are the easiest way to correct those problems if they crop up on your own website.

Be sure to consider the benefits and types of 404 redirects. Then, you can follow the steps to add them to your site on WordPress or Squarespace to make sure you don’t lose traffic or SEO juice.

Do you need help with SEO for your overall site? Schedule a free SEO consultation today.

/0 Comments/by
, ,

Importance of Diversity in Therapy and on Your Website 

In honor of American Indian Heritage Month, the topic of diversity with websites is something that is becoming more necessary in the SEO world and branding for therapists. As many of you know, cultural competency, or better yet cultural humility is something that is drilled into us in graduate school. However, when you are in school, the discussion of how to incorporate that into your practice and your branding is not discussed, especially if you do not identify as a POC, a person with a disability (visible or invisible), someone in the LGBTQIA+ community, or practice spirituality or religion. Diversity in therapy is necessary for people to feel welcome. 

To connect with your ideal clients and encourage more individuals to take the leap into a mental health journey. We must brand our therapy practice and more importantly our websites to reflect that all people are welcome in your space, whether in-person or online. Learn some helpful tips for diversity in therapy today!

Tips for Adding Diversity in Therapy Websites: 

We come in all shapes and sizes 

Make sure your website represents people of all orientations, colors, ethnicities, and religions, and genders. Whether that means hiring different clinicians or adding photos to your website to recognize we all need mental health support. Additionally, people come in various shapes. In an effort to reduce fatphobia and ignore the fact standards of Instagram, it is necessary to show real people in all stages of life. Additionally, that means adding people of all kinds of ages. Ageism is just as rampant as fatphobia. We all need support. Therapy is not just for the young, couples, thin individuals. It is for everyone. If your website only represents rich upper-class white people, we are doing something wrong. 

Find Keywords that Different Populations Are Seeking Out

Add keywords that relate to various populations or add in statements throughout your website (not as a tag-on) that you serve people from all walks of life. Find keywords such as a black therapist, therapy for people of color, LGBTQIA+ therapy, Faith-Based Counseling for Muslim Individuals, and so on.  

Stereotyping is not going to draw in clients 

When adding photos, do not add stereotypical photos such as just a one-race family on a family therapy page, or a person in a wheelchair on a trauma page. Recognize that people show up in many ways. Though your intentions put into the photos may seem like it will not pay off, but someone will see your intentionality and recognize that you see their experience.  

Mind Your Language! 

Be intentional with your language. Make sure if you are trying to offer services for people, you are writing language that connects to them. If there are updates in the LGBTQIA communities’ language, make sure you are aware. If you are unsure whether something is now considered offensive, do your research. And make sure you are not beginning to work with various diverse populations before you are ready. Competency matters! Make sure as you consider adding services that you have the proper training or hire someone who does.  

Add Alt Text and Subheadings 

Woman in wheelchair on laptop. Looking for therapy and branding advice? Learn more about diversity in therapy today. Our seo specialists can help support you as you discover how to market and create an SEO strategy for you clients!

People who use screen readers can have a similar experience to anyone on the website. Screen readers are great tools that provide space for clients who are seeking therapy to meet their needs. Often, we forget about making our space and our website accessible for clients with disabilities, but we must make space for everyone and think outside our normal means of awareness when it comes to the experiences of those we are seeking to help.  

Highlighting Therapists With Various Specialties

Although we want to show diversity and inclusion on our websites, sometimes there are better people to support our clients’ needs. That is why if you have Spanish-speaking clinicians, Christian counselors, counselors of color, counselors who identify openly in the LGBTQIA community, letting clients know that this specific support is available in your practice is key! 

Write Timely Blog Posts

It is so important to make sure that we are up to date with issues that affect our clientele. As you have probably noticed, many social justice issues have shown up in the past two years. Writing blogs that show awareness, perspective, and support is necessary for your current and future clients. Even if you don’t understand everything, taking time to write a blog in solidarity with them will help you connect and let them know that you see them.

Get Started with Your SEO Journey and Learn More About Diversity in Therapy! 

Diversity and inclusion graphic. Creating space for everyone is matters. Learn more about diversity in therapy and branding for your website today!

Are you wondering how you can create more diversity in therapy and inclusion on your website? Our skilled and passionate team of SEO specialists is here to make sure your SEO journey is tailored to your brand and identity. Simplified SEO Consulting would be excited to help you on your SEO journey. To get started with our service follow these simple steps:  

  1. Schedule a consult with our Client Success Specialist or Consult Team   
  2. Learn more about our wonderful team of SEO Specialists.  
  3. Start creating a more inclusive site and brand for your ideal clients! 

Other Services offered by Simplified SEO Consulting      

Simplified SEO consulting offers a wide range of services that can help you begin working with your people. We offer. Done for You SEO Service packages, online courses, and SEO training opportunities. Our most popular course includes our “Top of Google” Online course, and we have 12 weeks (about 3 months) of intensive SEO for those who want to learn with a guide. Additionally, we are offering a limited-time SEO Mastermind group if you want a great training opportunity for a steal, this is for you. For those looking for a more specialized package, we also offer an SEO strategy package. To get started, schedule a consultation with our Client Success Specialist today!  

About the Author:  

As an SEO specialist at Simplified, Jasmine is an SEO services consultant and helps new clients become oriented to our services. If you are ready to begin SEO services, then get in touch and schedule your free consultation today!   

Jasmine Jaquess is currently working towards her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. Currently, she is seeing clients in practice as part of her practicum. She serves as the Client Success Specialist in new client consultations with Simplified SEO Consulting. Plus she is one of our Mental Health SEO Specialists. She specializes in platforms such as Squarespace and Wix. If you’re ready to see how Simplified can serve you, schedule your next consultation. As our Client Success Specialist, see how Jasmine can support your business needs! 

/0 Comments/by

What Future Innovations Are in Store for SEO?

The ever-evolving nature of SEO can be hard to keep up with. Not only do the methods of how SEO is done change. So to the tendencies of what people search, and what the Google algorithm views as top-notch content. Who knows, the methods to write an amazing blog today may be completely outdated in a few years’ time! 

While keeping up with the times can feel like a chore, it is a necessary one to support a competitive practice. But, even then this isn’t always enough. In order to really stay ahead of the pack, we must often plan for the future. So, today we are going to talk about what may be next for the future of SEO, and how you can make the most of these innovations within your practice.

SEO and Video

A close up of a phone with YouTube on the screen next to a cup of coffee. Contact Simplified SEO Consulting to learn more about SEO for therapists. You can learn SEO online to support your private practice today.

There’s a chance you’re already familiar with how videos are becoming a more prominent part of SEO. Our team has had many interesting conversations about what this could mean for the future of SEO. We even have an entire blog dedicated to video and SEO you can read as well! I mention this because video SEO is an entirely independent avenue of SEO. But, some of the information and techniques you’ve already learned about improving SEO for other forms of media like images and text will apply, while others will not. We won’t be going over every part of video SEO, but here is a helpful guide for you to learn more!

Yet, learning about video SEO is very much worth the work!

Embedding videos on your site is a great way to engage viewers with your content. The use of videos is something that is becoming more common as Google incentivizes the practice. This may be facilitated by the presence of their massive video hosting platform, Youtube.

Keeping Up with Video SEO

Did you know Youtube is actually the second most popular search engine after Google? Yep. It’s more than Bing, Yahoo, and AOL combined. While you don’t need to become a video SEO expert to have a competitive practice, understanding aspects of optimization for different sites such as Youtube can help supercharge your optimization abilities. When it comes to video SEO, many principles remain the same, including:

  • Major focus on finding specific keywords based on your location 
  • Optimizing content for your ideal audience
  • Maintaining a unique brand related to your practice  

However, the ways one may accomplish these goals differ from what you may already know. With this avenue, there are a variety of entirely different factors that must be considered when optimizing video content. This can range anywhere from the length of time an audience is watching your videos, to the type of schema markup included. That said, learning how to make the most of your videos isn’t necessary for a successful practice. But, video SEO is becoming much more important over time, and the stats don’t lie. In fact, blog posts that have videos usually see a 157% boost in search traffic! 

What Sets Video SEO Apart?

In many ways, video SEO is a close relative to the kind of “on-page” SEO our team at Simplified does on a daily basis to boost website rankings on Google. But, understanding the differences will help you tell between what will help your overall website SEO vs. your video SEO efforts.

Check your Keywords!

One of the main things to keep in mind when dealing with video SEO is that the keywords you’ve picked out for Google are not going to be the same for Youtube! The ranking factors that influence how Google decides what is “top-notch” content is not the same for the world’s largest video platform. So, learning why video rankings differ may involve different techniques or tools from what you may normally use. As a result, it is important to be familiar with other keyword research tools that can help you to recognize search trends. A few notable examples include what youtube auto-suggests in the search bar, the stats available from Youtube Studio, and VidIQ.

A hand writes on a chalkboard with many SEO related terms including keyword research, link building, site optimization, and ranking. Learn how Simplified SEO can support your web optimization today. Same Principles, Different Methods

Depending on what you are hoping to accomplish, there can be many factors that go into your video optimization. This can range anywhere from how long people watch your videos to the video schema markup you include. Or, how you choose to market your practice’s brand to potential clients.

Many of the major points of focus of optimization for your website also remain the same. This may include things like:

  • How long you are retaining visitors to your site
  • What pages they are visiting
  • Conversion rates
  • Branding

But, the methods to improve these aspects may involve learning more about video SEO, and what influences rankings. So, ask yourself: 

  • If you want to retain visitors on your videos, what can you add or edit into the video to help increase watch-time?
  • What videos are people watching the most, and how can you replicate the elements that are working in other videos?
  • Which methods work best in a video format to convince viewers to click?
  • How are you choosing to showcase your brand, and what level of engagement are you going to have with your audience (subscribers)? 

If answering these questions isn’t a possibility for you, taking that dive into how to optimize your videos may help! As mentioned before, there can be a lot to optimize for video SEO. But, learning how to make the most of this opportunity can do wonders for SEO.

Voice Search SEO

When it comes to describing voice search SEO, it’s best to point out the big players. Some of which include Alexa, Google Home, Siri, and Bixby. While we are focused on the future of SEO in this blog, voice search data already shows how widespread this technology has become. In fact, voice searches on phones are 3x more likely to be for something local than a text search. This may not be much of a surprise with the added convenience of having answers without the push of a button. But, as a result, it becomes very important that clients find the right info about your practice when using these AI companions. Plus, it shows potential to reach an even wider audience on a local level! Failing to optimize your NAP may even hurt your SEO as a result.

Keeping Up with Voice Search SEO

When dealing with voice search optimization, many of the same principles stated above still apply. The main difference that arises comes from the fact that people often use these devices to have their questions answered. As a result, focus keywords are often centered around common “who, what, when, where, why” questions. So, it’s safe to assume these will often be in demand, regardless of what your practice offers.  

Providing Responses

In addition to having keywords that are related to answering questions, creating responses that offer informative answers to these questions becomes important. The auto-generated responses provided by these AI’s may not provide the level of detail about your practice that you want. So, creating your own can offer more support for your practice. Think about your practice using these questions. How would you answer a potential client over the phone? What other questions might they ask about your practice, and what would be your response? Being able to answer questions like these will not only help improve rankings but also improve trust with Google!

A laptop sits on a work desk with a lamp shining on a screen with the word SEO. Search engine optimization for counselors is an important focus of Simplified SEO Consulting. Contact us to learn more about counselor SEO, how to build SEO for therapists, and other services.What’s Next for SEO?

We can never know what the next big innovation for SEO will be for sure. But, there are a few things to keep an eye on that may help you stay ahead of the curve. One thing that may become more important is the use of content distribution networks (CDN’s). These services help keep sites fast and responsive by optimizing load times, caching content for easier retrieval, and other services. As SEO becomes more competitive, using services like CDN’s may become a more common practice to help get that edge over competitors. 

Another thing to consider is the content that Google (or Youtube), likes to see. While we have an understanding of what effective copywriting for SEO looks like now, that may change completely over time. All we can prepare ourselves is by searching for what new happenings are occurring in the world of SEO and adapting to the changing times.

Begin Working with Simplified SEO Consulting

You don’t have to keep track of everything SEO by yourself. Our team is happy to offer the tools you need to keep track of your progress and help you be aware of what could be next for SEO. We offer a variety of services to help you climb the rankings on Google. To start SEO services with Simplified SEO Consulting, please follow these simple steps:

  1. Schedule a free 30-minute consultation
  2. Learn more about our team
  3. Start becoming more visible, and helping your ideal clients!

Other Services Offered with Simplified SEO Consulting

Simplified SEO Consulting provides several services to help private practice owners thrive. We offer Done for You SEO services and a la carte services. For those who have completed our program, we also provide alumni support. If you are curious about learning more about SEO, we offer training opportunities as well. We also offer an SEO strategy package for support with reaching your ideal clients. Contact us today to learn more about our services, and start rising the ranks of Google!

About the Author

Sterling Humburg-Cage graduated from the University of Missouri with a BA in Psychology in 2020. He integrates what he learned in school into his work as an SEO Specialist with Simplified SEO Consulting. Sterling prides himself on helping current clients & alumni problems solve difficult SEO issues.  He’s great at giving clients multiple options about how to approach a situation and responding quickly to client concerns.  Since he started, Sterling has met frequently with our alumni and provided them extra problem-solving support, often going the extra mile to do outside research and make sure private practice owners have everything they need to rank well on search engines long term for the keywords their ideal clients are using!

/0 Comments/by
, ,

A Guide to Copywriting for SEO: Part 2

Welcome back to part two of my comprehensive guide to copywriting for SEO series. I wrote this series because I know how challenging copywriting can be for busy therapists. I have had a lot of clients who tell me that copywriting is both intimidating and time-consuming. But, it doesn’t have to be so hard. My goal today is to simplify it a bit.

In part one I shared three tips to make copywriting easier: write like you’d speak to a client, speak to their pain points, and create a page for every service you offer. These tips are extremely important and it’s worth reading the blog to learn more about them. But today, I want to share three more practical tips to improve your writing experience and better your SEO.

3 Copywriting for SEO Tips:

  Include References to the Places You Want to Rank Wellpensive woman writes in a notebook next to an open laptop representing copywriting for SEP. Learn how to optimize your website in SEO training with an SEO specialist

It’s critical to include references to your location or the places where you would like to draw clients from in your website copy. This helps tell Google where you’re located, thus helping you show up better in search results for clients who are looking for services in that area.

If you have an online therapy practice, this tip is extra important. Because you cannot technically have a Google My Business listing, it often takes Google longer to realize what areas you serve. Therefore it may take longer to get you ranking in those areas. So, you must mention areas throughout your state in your website copy.

If you have multiple locations, it’s still important to make references to the places where you see clients. Although you may not be able to mention them all, look for spots to weave it in where it looks natural.

Two powerful places to really highlight where you’re located are in your footer and in a location(s) page. Let’s talk about those in-depth a bit:

  • Footer: If you have a physical address put it here. If you do not, then mention where you’re located. For example, “Our therapy office is located in Kansas City, MO however, we see clients throughout Kansas and Missouri.”
  • Location Page: I would argue that having a location page is for all practices that see clients in person. However, I feel it is especially important for practices with multiple in-person locations. On this location page, I encourage you to embed a map if possible and provide driving locations to your practice.

Look for Opportunities to Add Keywords and Internal Links

man types on his laptop computer in a cafe. He learned about copywriting for seo from an seo specialist at Simplified SEO ConsultingI know writing copy is intimidating but I encourage you to write first, then look for opportunities to target the keywords you want to rank for. The same goes for adding internal links to other pages on your site. Sometimes, simply putting your thoughts down on paper without worrying about other things makes writing easier.

Once you have written your page or post, then look for places to add in or modify the wording to add keywords and links. This can be done throughout a page or a post however, there are a few places that I find offer great opportunities to add in these SEO elements. These places are:

  • Headings and subheadings
  • A call to action section where you detail the three steps to start services at your practice (here you can link to your home, contact, about page, etc.)
  • An other services section where you share about the other offerings you provide at your practice and link to those pages.

Proofread Your Work

man with grey hair sits at his laptop and smiles at the camera representing copywriting for SEO and getting seo training with an seo specialist at simplified seo consultingI am certainly guilty of making spelling and grammatical mistakes when I write. Most people are. However, I always try to take the time to go back and proofread my work before publishing it. Even then, I am bound to make a mistake here and there. That’s when I rely on the wonders of technology and the tools that are at my disposal.

I personally love using the Hemmingway Editor and the Grammarly plugin when I write. Both tools catch common spelling and grammatical errors and they tell me if my writing is confusing or hard to read. I encourage you to use both as you work on writing copy for your private practice website.

Google likes to rank pages it considers “trustworthy.” So, if there are lots of spelling and grammatical errors it may hurt your rankings a bit. Now, I’m not saying it has to be perfect, but reading it over once or twice can really help.

SEO Services For Your Private Practice Website:

If you’re ready to optimize your website and improve your private practice website’s SEO, Then our SEO specialists can help! We would be honored to support you in your efforts to get in front of your ideal client on Google. To get started, follow these steps:

  1. Schedule your free 30-minute consultation with a member of the Simplified SEO Consulting team
  2. Learn more about our SEO services and training opportunities
  3. Start optimizing your webpage and watch your site rank better on Google!

About the Author:

Photo of Cory, our Content Coordinator who helps you write blogs for SEO and also offers 1:1 SEO TrainingCory Moss is a Simplified SEO specialist & our Content Specialist based in the Kansas City metro area. She specializes in working on readability for therapist websites. She really enjoys helping her clients get to the top of Google and attract their ideal clients. Cory is great at speaking to clients about their dream practice and figuring out exactly what content on their website will help them reach those goals. She enjoys helping people learn about SEO and watching how people can improve their optimizing over time!

/0 Comments/by
, ,

What Questions Should I Ask an SEO Specialist Before Hiring Them?

So, you have heard as a private practice owner, you should invest in SEO. It’s the newer wave of marketing for therapists and seems like the perfect solution to getting consistent traffic. The only problem is, you don’t have time to learn and you don’t know what you should be looking for. I mean, did we even cover this in graduate school? What questions should I ask an SEO specialist before hiring them anyway?

Oftentimes, private practice owners want to do what is the best marketing-wise for their practice, but don’t know where to begin. This can add stress to your life and create a financial burden if it ends up being the wrong service for you. As mental health SEO specialists, we strive to make choosing an SEO company easy for you. Therefore, we have compiled a list of helpful questions to ask the potential SEO companies that will help give you the best results. You don’t need to know everything about SEO to ask the right questions about your needs. If you find yourself asking “what questions should I ask an SEO specialist before hiring them to optimize my site”? this blog is for you!

What Questions Should I Ask an SEO Specialist Before HiringThem to Optimize My Site?

Credibility

Animated woman with red hair against teal and yellow background. SEO help for therapists matters to your brand, but can be stressful. How do you know " what questions should i ask an seo specialist before hiring them to optimize my site?", we are here to help you if you're looking for monthly SEO here!

Strategy

Additional Services

Blocks with question marks stacked up. If you're in search of therapist SEO, we can help you understand what questions should i ask an seo specialist before hiring them to optimize my site? See what is the best for your journey. We specialize in marketing for therapists and are here for you!

Packages and Options

Things for You to Consider Before

 Investing in SEO

What You Need to Watch Out for 

  • People guaranteeing results 
  • Dazzling presentations with no substance 
  • Assuming the company knows best, without doing your own research 
  • Beware If your data and traffic are fluctuating and it’s not due to googles algorithm 
  • Sudden growth can be a sign of black hat SEO and this can harm your results. 

Finding the best-fit matters! 

As mental health professionals and mental health SEO specialists, we know that investing in a website and SEO is a huge time and money investment. You’re here to get your ideal clients and we want to make sure that you’re getting the best support possible. If you’re interested in finding support for you and your practice, we would be happy to help you understand more about what questions should I ask an SEO specialist before hiring them to optimize my site? Begin your journey today!

Get Started with Your SEO Journey!

If you’re wondering how our services fit you, let’s have a consultation and see. Our skilled and passionate team of SEO specialists is here to make sure your SEO journey is tailored to your brand and identity. Simplified SEO Consulting would be excited to help you on your SEO journey. To get started with our service follow these simple steps: 

  1. Schedule a consult with our Client Success Specialist or Consult Team  
  2. Learn more about our wonderful team of SEO Specialists. 
  3. Begin finding the best SEO company for you and find your people 

Other Services offered by Simplified SEO Consulting     

Simplified SEO consulting offers a wide range of services that can help you begin working with your people. We offer. Done for You SEO Service packages, online courses, and SEO training opportunities. Our most popular course includes our “Top of Google” Online course, and we have 12 weeks (about 3 months) of intensive SEO for those who want to learn with a guide. For those looking for a more specialized package, we also offer an SEO strategy package. To get started, schedule a consultation with our Client Success Specialist today! 

About the Author: 

As an SEO specialist at Simplified, Jasmine is an SEO services consultant and helps new clients become oriented to our services. If you are ready to begin SEO services then get in touch and schedule your free consultation today!  

Jasmine Jaquess is currently working towards her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University and is actively seeing clients in practice as part of her practicum. Currently, she serves as the Client Success Specialist in new client consultations with Simplified SEO Consulting and is a Mental Health SEO Specialist. She specializes in platforms such as Squarespace and Wix. If you’re ready to see how Simplified can serve you, schedule your next consultation with Jasmine and see how she can support your business needs! 

/0 Comments/by
,

3 Things to Look for When Choosing Therapist Directories

First, A Quick Recap On Directories & NAP

As Google has grown in complexity, so have the ways people use to rank on the search engine. Some methods have evolved to be more manipulative than others, such as blackhat SEO. But, others have remained tried and true ways to help your practice climb the ranks. One of the best examples of this is the variety of helpful therapist directories listed on Google! These listings allow therapists to increase local SEO, the visibility of their practice online, and drive traffic to their site. They can even provide backlinks to help build the authority of their private practice website.  A woman smiles as she types on a laptop with the text SEO on the screen. We offer support for private practice website. Contact us to learn how we support local SEO for therapists today.

Directories such as Therapy Den can make it so much easier for people looking for specific services to get the support they are looking for. They also serve as an important factor in local SEO. This kind of user convenience is why Google takes the name, address, and phone number (NAP) listed on any given directory so seriously. Having the same info on directories throughout Google builds trust. It tells Google that your info is accurate, current and that you can help the potential client.

On the other hand, conflicting info on many directories can be confusing for both Google and anyone that might see your business info. This confusion can make things hard for those looking for mental health services. As a result, Google may penalize these sites that have conflicting info. 

The Issue with Some Directories         

When we take the number of existing directories into account, doing your due diligence as a therapist may sound difficult to accomplish. Why? You may be able to confirm your NAP info is consistent across every directory you’re listed on. But, being listed on the wrong directory can still do more harm to your site than good! So, we are going to dive into what to watch for when deciding if listing your info on a directory is the right choice.

Photo of person holding a phone in front of a computer representing someone about to make a phone call to a therapist they found online.

Listing Exclusivity 

When first choosing a directory, it’s vital to understand how the listing process works on that site. This can differ depending on the nature of the directory, and who they serve. Some directories are for general therapists, while others serve niche mental health services. And some lists don’t target therapists at all Similarly, many directories are free, while others may require a fee to be included in the listing. 

Many directories exist to serve a variety of demographics. But, you may need to be wary around directories that claim to accept a majority (or every) link that comes their way. It may seem like an easy way to get a backlink, but directories that do this often exist for the sole purpose of creating links. Links that originate from these listings don’t hold any SEO weight. They aren’t actually made to help connect businesses to customers. Instead, seek out directories that don’t accept just anyone! Quality directories should have listings from businesses that would be of value to potential clients. Having consistent NAP info listed on these quality directories will be what ultimately helps your site grow and connect with your ideal client.   

Relevance and Competition An image of letter blocks that spell SEO. We can offer help with local SEO for therapists. Learn how we can help your private practice website today.

Another important factor when choosing a directory is to consider how relevant the directory is to you and your practice. Think about it this way. You specialize in exclusively in-person therapy services. So, it probably doesn’t do you much good to have a listing on a quality directory aimed towards online-only services! Having a backlink from that directory going back to your private practice website would be great! But, anyone visiting your site would quickly realize you do not have the online-only services they are looking for, causing them to leave your site to try elsewhere.  

Understanding the relevancy of directories to practice can help you better understand your niche, and hone in on which specific directories would be most beneficial for you to be listed on. 

Checking the Competition

Yet, that isn’t to say more general directories like Good Therapy should be outright avoided. Being listed on both larger and more niche directories allows you to look into other businesses listed alongside yours!  

Checking the other businesses that are listed on a given directory can also help provide valuable insight into the quality of a directory. Are you seeing other professional, trusted businesses listed alongside yours? Or, do the links connect back to sites that appear to be more “spammy” than you expected? Answering these types of questions can help you better recognize the quality of businesses you are ranking against. They can also inform you of the standards the directory has for business listings as well!

On-Page Investigation

Last but not least, it is worth mentioning that reviewing many on-page aspects of a directory can tell you a lot of vital information! 

Design

Google takes the design of the site into account, so it is also important to ask yourself if the directory has an effective, clean, and cohesive design. The end goal of most directories should be to connect the potential client with the business. So, ask yourself how easy it is to navigate from page to page. Does it look like a person took the time and effort to carefully create the site? Or, do things appear to be automated by a program? If things appear to be laid out in a confusing way, this may be due to an increased focus on pleasing the Google algorithm rather than helping potential clients. 

“Last Updated…” 

While you look at the overall design, check for the last time the site received an update. Directories receive new listing requests as time goes on. So, they should also be updated as time goes on to reflect site edits. If a directory hasn’t been updated in years, this may be a red flag it is less than reputable. Often, these directories only list your practice to have another link to add to their list. It is always worth taking the time to comb through a directory to learn if the site you’re on is going to be active, or has laid dormant for years.  

Name RecognitionA close up image of a magnifying glass looking at the text Google My Business. Contact Simplified SEO Consulting for support with local SEO for therapists and other services. We can help your private practice website thrive!

We’ve gone over a few directories in this blog. But a top directory you may already be familiar with is actually Google My Business! Our SEO specialists are quite familiar with GMB and the benefits it offers local SEO when optimized correctly. This is a trustworthy directory. But it isn’t the only one! Other widely known examples include Yelp, Yellow Pages, and DMOZ. These well-known directories are much safer in terms of legitimacy. But, this does not mean you need listings on every major directory    

Conclusion 

It can be difficult to find the right directories to list your practice. This is why it is so important to use your judgment. Conduct your own research when making these kinds of decisions. Other therapists can also offer insight, so try and reach out to our fellow therapists for support as well! They may already be familiar with the same directory you’re looking into!

Begin Working With An SEO Specialist with Simplified SEO Consulting

Our team of SEO specialists is experienced in providing both on-page and off-page SEO support. We can help you build local SEO for therapists with our Local SEO services. Our team can ensure your NAP info is consistent across Google My Business and other quality directories. To start working with Simplified SEO Consulting, follow these simple steps: 

  1. Schedule an appointment for a free 30-minute consultation
  2. Learn more about our team
  3. Start improving local SEO for therapists today!

Other Services Offered by Simplified SEO Consulting

Simplified SEO Consulting offers many services to improve local SEO for therapists. You can improve your SEO on your own with our DIY Online SEO services. We also offer Done for You services for clients looking for support in their SEO journey, as well as alumni support. Learn more about our training workshops, SEO strategy package, and 12-week Done with You intensive program.

About the Author

Sterling Humburg-Cage graduated from the University of Missouri with a BA in Psychology in 2020. He integrates what he learned in school into his work as an SEO Specialist with Simplified SEO Consulting. Sterling prides himself on helping current clients & alumni problems solve difficult SEO issues. He’s great at giving clients multiple options about how to approach a situation and responding quickly to client concerns. Since he started, Sterling has met frequently with our alumni and provided them extra problem-solving support. He often goes the extra mile to do outside research and make sure private practice owners have everything they need to rank well on search engines long term!

/0 Comments/by

A Guide to Copywriting for SEO: Part One

Have you ever sat down to write copy for your website and realized that it was a lot harder than he thought it would be? I know I have. In fact, I’m sitting here writing this blog thinking the same thing. But here’s the thing, having good website copy and blogging regularity is an important component in achieving good SEO. But don’t worry, I won’t leave you to figure this out on your own, today I’ll give you three tips to make copywriting for SEO just a little easier. After this, be sure to check out Copywriting for SEO: Part Two!

3 Tips for Writing Copy for SEO

Tip #1: Write Like You’d Speak to a Client

Indian man types on his laptop computer. He is a therapist working on copywriting for SEO for his private practice website. Learn more about SEO from an SEO specialist at Simplified SEO Consulting

We can’t stress this enough, you have to write like you’d speak to a client. Writing too clinically is the number one mistake clients make when they write their own copy. They assume that this reassures The potential clients that they know their stuff and can help them. They assume all their clients care about the letters behind their names or the specific certifications they hold. Although this may be true for a small handful of clients, this is not true for every client. Especially clients who are in crisis.

We call this writing to the 2 AM trauma brain. Think about your potential client who is up in the middle of the night worried their marriage is falling apart, having a panic attack, or concerned about their child’s well-being. They’re not in a mental state to look up a bunch of clinical terms or dissect big words. They are keyed up and have Cortisol coursing through their bodies and. Ask yourself what do they want to hear? My opinion is that they want to hear something that will offer reassurance during this tough time. Something calming and easy to understand. If you’re too technical, this person may navigate off your website to get what they’re looking for. This won’t get you your ideal client and it can actually hurt your SEO.

The clients that do need technical and credentials can get it in other places of your website like your personal about page for example. So, I encourage you to prioritize readability.

Tip #2: Speak to Their Pain Points

man taps a pencil to his chin while he makes a list in a notebook. He is thinking about his clients pain points when doing copywriting for SEO for his private practice website. Learn SEO from an SEO specialist at Simplified SEO Consulting

As I said above, when your potential client is struggling, what they really want to know is that they are not alone and you can help them. So you have to speak to and address their pain points.

Ask yourself, what challenges are your ideal clients dealing with? How do these challenges make them feel? Check your intake notes too. Write these down.

We recommend addressing their pain points first and foremost in most of the copy for your website (especially on service pages and blogs). Then empathize with these challenges and let them know that they’re not alone.

You may find that when you address these first, it makes writing the rest of the text easier because you can talk through those pain points, you do it all the time! So you can totally tell them how you would help them through these challenges.

Tip 3: Create Service or Speciality Pages for Each Service You Want to Rank For.

Happy black muslim woman at a computer staring out the window. She is working on SEO and writing copy for SEO after reading a blog by an SEO specialist at Simplified SEO Consulting

Creating one individual therapy or counseling services page is another mistake we frequently see therapists make on their websites. But here’s the thing: having them mentioned here and there in passing on your site will not necessarily help you rank for those services.

When you mention it, Google may take notice or they may not. When you create a section on a page like an individual therapy page, for example, Google may say ok they know a little about that subject and take note. But when you have a whole page on it, that really gets their attention and makes them realize that you’re an expert in this area. This is what helps you rank better.

Another question I’m often asked is: do I really need a specific page for online therapy if it’s just something I offer but don’t specialize in? My answer is, typically yes. There are always things you can say about online therapy that will help you potential clients and get you ranking through the state where you offer services, thus potentially attracting clients from outside your physical location and expanding your client base.

Want to Learn More about SEO for Therapists?

If you’re intrigued and want to know more, then please stay tuned for part two of my copywriting guide next month and learn 3 more tips for writing copy for your private practice website.

If you’re looking for SEO help then you should check out this page on our Done-For-You SEO services. Or, if you prefer SEO instruction or training, we can help you too! We offer a variety of online SEO courses and SEO training opportunities to meet your needs.

Contact us and schedule a free 30-minute consultation with a member of our SEO team to learn the many ways we can support you and help you ethically reach your ideal client.

Get SEO services for your private practice website:

If you’re ready to optimize your website and improve your private practice website’s SEO, Then our SEO specialists can help! We would be honored to support you in your efforts to get in front of your ideal client on Google. To get started, follow these steps:

  1. Schedule your free 30-minute consultation with a member of the Simplified SEO Consulting team
  2. Learn more about our SEO services and training opportunities
  3. Start optimizing your webpage and watch your site rank better on Google!

About the Author:

Photo of Cory, our Content Coordinator who helps you write blogs for SEO and also offers 1:1 SEO TrainingCory Moss is a Simplified SEO specialist & our Content Specialist based in the Kansas City metro area. She specializes in working on readability for therapist websites. She really enjoys helping her clients get to the top of Google and attract their ideal clients. Cory is great at speaking to clients about their dream practice and figuring out exactly what content on their website will help them reach those goals. She enjoys helping people learn about SEO and watching how people can improve their optimizing over time!

/0 Comments/by
, , ,

SEO for Coaches: Tips to Get Ranking

Do online coaches and consultants need SEO?

Yes, you do! The field of online coaching is very broad. It is not enough to create a website and say that you’re a health and wellness coach, a life coach, or a coaching therapist. This may seem specific to you, but to your ideal client, this is very vague. It’s important that when you do SEO for life coaches, therapists, health coaches, and so on, that you’re getting specific with your niche. Not in a way that makes it too difficult to get clients, but by specifying and speaking to your ideal client or “avatar”.

Benefits of SEO for Coaches

  • First, you’re able to get in front of your ideal clients- The most visible you’re, the more likely people Mind map with SEO strategy. You deserve an SEO strategy that works! If you're offer coaching services, seo for coaches can help you. Learn how to find the best keywords for coaches or keywords for life coaching today. Read our blog to learn more!are to come in contact with your services. 
  • Builds credibility- SEO is all about building client relationships and connecting with your ideal clients through Google. Therefore, the better optimized your site, the more likely clients and prospects will see your programs and content. 
  • Raises your authority- When you’re a leader in your field, people follow suit, therefore, if you’re able to get backlinks and have reputable sites mention you on their site. The better you will rank. 

Tips on SEO for Coaches to Get Ranking Better!

Content is King! Or Queen!

Something that I see on coaching websites very often is clear, concise, and straightforward reasons to begin coaching with them. They outline what your goals are and how they can help you. Plus they outline the packages and how to get started. So what is wrong with this strategy when it comes to SEO? Google likes content and sometimes the way coaches build out pages can be more vague than you realize.

We know as SEO specialists and you know as coaches that nobody is going to ready a built-out service page, but Google will. Google loves content and if you can lay out your client’s pain points, why they may need support, how you can help, and where to get started in 500 words, Google is going to see you as a more credible source, than someone with 100 words on their page. Google needs built-out content, but what does the client need as well. A straightforward message that says “ I can help you”. That means in our SEO strategy with content, we need to make sure our keywords are niched down, headings make it clear that you can help, and that you understand who you’re trying to reach. It’s a balancing game. 

A great way to enhance your content is by creating pages on what is life coach, how can a health and wellness coach help you. Why do I need a business coach or consultant, and so on? Then creating resource guides, tips, and talking directly to your client’s needs, will help connect with your people, potential clients, and of course Google.

A Smart Keyword Strategy Will Get you on the map

What is considered a “smart” keyword strategy? Well if I told you what a health coach was, would you know what I do? Probably not, we often want to be ranking for the most highly searched for keywords, but forget that we also need to reach our ideal clients in the process. That doesn’t mean health coach, life coach, online coach, business consultant, and so on isn’t going to help you. It is just those search terms are being used by everyone and that makes them watered down. We need to be specific in who we are targeting. Online coaching for busy moms, coaching for side hustles, fitness coaching for busy women. Who are you targeting? Are they dealing with weight loss, time or stress management, building a business?

We must create a strategy that entails both a long tail ( online coaching for women in Texas) and a short tail ( online coaching) so you’re getting on the map for what you need and eventually moving up with the more challenging keywords. 

Content written on notebook near coffee cup and pen. Coaching is such a broad field and niching down is complex. Why not get support with seo for coaches. Whether you need seo for life coaches, health coaches, business coaches and more. We can help. Learn more today!

So how do I know if my keywords are right?

My response to this is how long have you been working on your strategy, do you know your ideal clients, and are you adding in the right content that connects. If you’re doing all these things and still see no results, then consider restructuring your approach. Chances are something in your copy is connecting or you’re haven’t found the sweet spot in your niche. Likewise, know that for an effective SEO strategy, you need to give it 6 months minimum to work. So how can you support your business in the meantime? Get connected!

Begin Connecting with Like-minded and different professionals

Building connections matter to get the referrals you need to your practice. Many individuals network or create podcasts to get their names out there with other professionals in their field. As well as with individuals they can partner with and refer to in the future. Two ways we suggest building on this strategy is to one create cornerstone blogs that talk about coaching, what you do, and how you help. Talk about the individual issues you see clients facing and how you can help to empower them to create the reality they are seeking. Additionally, an ethically built-out backlinks strategy will help skyrocket your credibility with Google. The more often people link to you the more Google recognizes your influence in your industry. Therefore, if you can do guest blogging, an interview, Facebook lives, or be on a podcast episode, always ask for a backlink to your site. 

Make sure your website design and appearance is professional and trustworthy

When it comes to your design and appearance, make sure you’re correctly reporting your qualifications and what you can help with. If you are not experienced in certain areas, get training so you can best support your clients. Make sure that your content and programs are original and are providing the results you expect for your clients. Additionally, make sure you have people you can refer out to such as counselors, dieticians, personal trainers, designers, life coaches, and more. Make sure when building your website that content is original and that you have a security tag on your website so it indicates that people who come to your site won’t be at risk of having their information exposed. The better care you take of your brand and content, the more trustworthy you will be to your clients and prospects. 

Make sure your coaching identity is clear

Often when I see coaching websites, they are lacking in content and don’t explain their purpose. Take time to explain your expertise, who you’re, help people recognize you’re human and capable of helping. Write blog content that connects. 

Is SEO for Coaches for You?

Yellow coaching words. SEO for coaches, includes seo for life coaches, health coaches, body image coaches, and more. If you need help with an SEO strategy, learn how we can help you find the best seo keywords for coaching today!

Whether you’re a body image coach, health coach, business consultant, coaching therapist, life coach, or anything in between, we can help you. Coaching is a necessary and complex business to get ranking, but our strategy can help. We strive to create individualized plans for each client so you’re bringing in the right people for you. If you’re ready for a strategy and support, see how we can help you!

Ready to Begin Working with Us?

Let’s work together to get you on the map for your niche. SEO is a great way to help you gain organic traffic as a coach. If you’re ready for support and an SEO strategy tailored to your needs, let us help you!. Our skilled and passionate team of SEO specialists is here to make sure your SEO journey is tailored to your brand and identity. Simplified SEO Consulting would be excited to help you on your SEO journey. To get started with our service follow these simple steps:

  1. Schedule a consult with our Client Success Specialist or Consult Team 
  2. Learn more about our wonderful team of SEO Specialists.
  3. Begin your ethical and holistic SEO Journey!

Other Services offered by Simplified SEO Consulting    Jasmine, an SEO specialists at Simplified SEO consulting. If you're looking for SEO help, then contact us today. You can learn about holistic SEO, an ethica coaching strategy and more. Schedule your free 30-minute consultation today with our consult team and learn how we support seo for coaches today!

Simplified SEO consulting offers a wide range of services that can help you begin working with your people. We offer. Done for You SEO Service packages, online courses, and SEO training opportunities. Our most popular course includes our “Top of Google” Online course, and we have 12 weeks (about 3 months) of intensive SEO for those who want to learn with a guide. For those looking for a more specialized package, we also offer an SEO strategy package. To get started, schedule a consultation with our Client Success Specialist today!

About the Author:

As an SEO specialist at Simplified, Jasmine is an SEO services consultant and helps new clients become oriented to our services. If you are ready to begin SEO services then get in touch and schedule your free consultation today!

Jasmine, an SEO Specialist, and Client Success Specialists at Simplified SEO Consulting. You may be wondering where to start with your SEO for private practice or group practices. You have come to the right place.

Jasmine Jaquess is currently working towards her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University and is actively seeing clients in practice as part of her practicum. Currently, she serves as the Client Success Specialist in new client consultations with Simplified SEO Consulting and is a Mental Health SEO Specialist. She specializes in platforms such as Squarespace and Wix but has learned to love WordPress sites as well. Her favorite part of the job is writing copy for clients and helping them find their voice to communicate with clients how they can best serve them.

/0 Comments/by

Search Engine Optimization for Counselors: 3 Lesser Known Facts

 

A laptop sits on a work desk with a lamp shining on a screen with the word SEO. Search engine optimization for counselors is an important focus of Simplified SEO Consulting. Contact us to learn more about counselor SEO, how to build SEO for therapists, and other services.

There are many important aspects of search engine optimization for counselors that get a lot of love because of their importance or prevalence. But, there are so many helpful facts about search engine optimization for counselors that many people actually don’t know about. That’s why today we are going over 3 lesser-known facts that can help improve your SEO efforts. 

Fact 1: Finding Your Focus is Important to SEO

 
In our current day & age, counselors offer a variety of services to support their clients. In fact, having so many options can make it difficult at times to find exactly what you’re looking for. This is why focusing on creating a “niche” can make a difference in your SEO strategy.
 
Honing in on a specific focus can provide a variety of benefits from a business standpoint. One of the most notable things is how competitive it can help you be among the competition around you. Creating high-quality content centered around your focus specialty can help establish yourself as an authority on the topic. You can also achieve this by linking to and from sites that have a direct relation to your specialty. As a result of doing this, your site is seen as more trustworthy and knowledgeable about the topic. Thus, it will be more likely to rank higher in the search results.

How “niching down” is an Effective Approach

Alternatively, not having a specific focus, or “niche” isn’t impossible. But, it can make it harder to stay competitive. This is due in large part to the difficulty and popularity of some search terms over others. Popular counseling keywords that are more general, such as “depression therapy”, are often much harder to rank for. This is because of the vast number of people looking up the common term. But, often, this isn’t the most important term. Those are reserved for the terms that relate to the niche services your practice offers.
 
In truth, fewer people will be likely to search for a more specific phrase. For example, let’s use “depression therapy for tweens.” Deciding to focus only on an adolescent demographic can offer many benefits. Potential clients may be limited to that age range, but there is also less competition as a result!
 
By doing this, you don’t have to worry about ranking for a very competitive term like “depression therapy.” Instead, you can focus on a term like “depression therapy for tweens’.’ These more specific terms often have less competition. Optimizing for these more specific keywords will help your site to rank well. It will also allow you to better reach the audience you want to assist in the process! This is a clear example of how important keywords are to SEO.

Fact 2: Location and Local SEO are Vital

You may already have a presence on the internet. Thus, making your practice more familiar with Google. Or, you may be a newly established practice, working your way up the rankings. Regardless, the fact that having at least one location of focus in keyword research can help you establish or improve rankings. Choosing to focus your keyword efforts on one location is an approach that can help improve SEO. You first establish a strong local presence in one area. Once established, it becomes easier for your practice to expand by using the existing credibility of your centralized, established presence. By focusing on one area at a time, you can have an easier time expanding to nearby areas that are easier to rank for. Thus, helping you grow in the process.
 
This approach can be very helpful for practices that have many locations across a state. Or, practices that wish to provide online services in different cities, states, or countries.

Location and Why Local Search Engine Optimization for Counselors is ImportantA graph follows the path of a finger as it creates an upward trend. This represents improving search engine optimization for counselors. Contact Simplified SEO for support with how to build seo for therapists. We offer psychologist search engine optimization, counselor seo, and other services.

While mentioning locations, it’s also important to state the importance of local SEO. It deserves its own blog post. But, in short, local SEO involves the collective strategies carried out to improve the visibility of your site on the search engine. This is important because the more people in your area seeing your site will result in a better chance of reaching the clients that can benefit from your services. Yet, it can also be more difficult to rank for keywords that are important to your practice in more populated cities. Still, understanding the importance of local SEO will help you to remain competitive.

Fact 3: There is More to Mobile

With all the focus on understanding the Google algorithm and other aspects of SEO, it can be easy to overlook how important mobile platforms are. Year after year, more people use their smartphones to access the internet. As a result, it becomes more important to ensure your site operates well on a variety of platforms. Creating a unique site that only works on a computer won’t benefit your practice if no one can see it!

Knowing Your Platform

Even though you have put hours of work into your website designed for a traditional computer setup, there is almost always a chance this may not translate well to another format. That’s why it is very important to be familiar with the website editor/builder you are using. Learn how you can view a preview of what your site will look like on a computer, tablet, and smartphone. Then, make improvements if needed so potential clients won’t run into any issues while on your site. Some platforms give you more control over these layouts than others. So, it is important to be aware of the options you have at your disposal. We even have a helpful guide covering which platform is best for SEO!

Closing Thoughts on Search Engine Optimization for Counselors

These are only a few of the topics that may not receive as much coverage as they deserve. But, understanding how these facts can improve your SEO efforts is very much worth the time it takes. By focusing on your efforts and learning new strategies, you can help your practice thrive!

Search Engine Optimization for Counselors at Simplified SEOA graphic of an arrow in an upward trend with the text "seo optimization" on the wall. This represents search optimization for counselors. Simplified SEO can help answer the question “how to build seo for therapists.” Contact us for support with SEO for counselors today.

At Simplified SEO Consulting, our caring team of SEO specialists is trained to support you in climbing the ranks of Google. For support through our Done for You or Alumni services, we would be happy to help you along your SEO journey. To start working with Simplified SEO consulting, follow these three steps:
  1. Schedule an appointment for a free 30-minute consultation
  2. Learn more about our team
  3. Start rising the ranks, and reaching your ideal client!

Other Services Offered at Simplified SEO Consulting

Simplified SEO Consulting offers a variety of services to support search engine optimization for counselors. We offer a la carte and Done for You services, as well as alumni support. We also offer training workshops, and an SEO strategy package to help therapists find the right clients. For more helpful info, please visit our blog!

About the Author

Sterling Humburg-Cage graduated from the University of Missouri with a BA in Psychology in 2020. He integrates what he learned in school into his work as an SEO Specialist with Simplified SEO Consulting. Sterling prides himself on helping current clients & alumni problems solve difficult SEO issues. He’s great at giving clients multiple options about how to approach a situation and responding quickly to client concerns. Since he started, Sterling has met frequently with our alumni and provided them extra problem-solving support, often going the extra mile to do outside research and make sure private practice owners have everything they need to rank well on search engines long term for the keywords their ideal clients are using!
Photo of Sterling, an SEO Specialist at Simplified SEO Consulting that specializes in all things technical SEO!
/0 Comments/by

5 Quick Tips to Boost SEO for Counselors

As a busy clinician, you may only have a few moments to think about marketing and SEO. So, you may be wondering if there’s anything you can do in between counseling appointments to boost your SEO and reach your ideal clients on search engines. Good news! There are several things you can do in between sessions! In this blog, I will detail 5 things you can do to boost your SEO in ten minutes or less!

5 Quick SEO Tips:

1. Add Your Address or Identifying Location Information to Your Footer

Woman in a headscarf works on her laptop in an office setting she learned 5 quick tips to boost SEO for counselors from an SEO Consultant at Simplified SEO Consulting

Adding your location to your footer tells Google where you’re located. Having it visible on every page on your website is extremely important. If you have a physical address, use that. But if you’re also seeing clients online or have an online-only practice then include a statement such as “serving the entire state of (insert name) including (name of cities in that state) via online therapy. For example “Although our counseling practice is physically located in Kansas City, MO, we see clients throughout the state including Columbia, Jefferson City, and Saint Louis via online therapy. 

2. Respond to Source Inquiries on HARO.

First of all, if you haven’t signed up for HARO (Help a Reporter Out) then I highly suggest you do this. It’s a great way to get a backlink. In fact, several of our clients including our founder, Jessica have been featured in major publications like The New York Times, Bustle, Huff Post, etc.

Some HARO tips:

  • Make sure you sign up as a source
  • Set filters to get inquiries on subjects you actually want to write about
  • Make sure to include your URL and request that they include your link in any digital reprint of their article.

3. Do Some Light Keyword Research

Hispanic man works on his laptop in an office setting representing working on SEO for counselors. Learn more from an SEO expert who does SEO for therapists at Simplified SEO ConsultingYou don’t have to spend hours doing keyword research. Just taking a few minutes here and there to check and see what terms are ranking well in your area will make optimization easier down the road. If you’re not sure where to begin check out these blogs about keyword research:

4. Make a List of Blog Post Suggestions

Coming up with blog post topics can feel overwhelming. Especially if you’re pressed for time. So taking the time to create a list when ideas come to you can reduce your stress and simplify the blogging process.

If you’re struggling to come up with ideas here are some things you can try:

  • Reflect on your past sessions, is there a topic that comes up often? If the answer is yes, then add it to your list.
  • If you’ve recently read a good book that pertains to your counseling work, then add that to the list as well.
  • Do a search for a keyword you’re targeting on AnswerThePublic.
  • Pretend you’re a travel guide and come up with fun activities for your ideal client to do in your area. For example “5 fun fall activities for families in Kansas.”

Here are some great articles about blogging:

5. Update your Google My Business Listing

Have you double-checked that all the information on there is correct? Did you add new information about your practice’s COVID safety policies? Have you posted a blog recently that you could share there? If not, taking ten minutes to do so can boost your SEO and give valuable information to your clients looking at your listing on Google.

Want to learn more about Google My Business? Check out these blogs:

Final Thoughts on SEO for Counselors

Doing your own SEO is a large time commitment. But doing a little bit of work every day (or as often as possible) will have great long-term effects on your SEO. Google responds well to websites that are consistently making changes and improvements to better their user experience. So, doing these tips will increase your chances of ranking better in your area.

If you don’t have time to work on your SEO and make changes like these, don’t fret. Simplified SEO Consulting offers comprehensive Done-For-You SEO services. Our consultants are skilled at helping our clients create an SEO strategy that will thoroughly meet the needs of their private practice so they can get in front of their ideal client and grow their business.

Begin SEO Services with Simplified SEO Consulting

Attractive Black female clinician working on her computer representing SEO for counselors. Learn 5 quick tips to optimize your website from an SEO specialist at Simplified SEO ConsultingThese are just some of the tips we share with clients when they work on their SEO with us. Our SEO specialists are ready to help you take your marketing to the next level and set yourself up for long-term success attracting your ideal client on Google.

To get started follow these simple steps:

  1. Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with a Simplified SEO Consulting team member
  2. Learn more about our SEO services and SEO training opportunities
  3. Begin optimizing your webpage and watch your site rank better on Google!

About the Author:

Cory Moss is a Simplified SEO specialist & our Content Specialist based in the Kansas City metro area. She specializes in working on readability for therapist websites. She really enjoys helping her clients get to the top of Google and attract their ideal clients. Cory is great at speaking to clients about their dream practice and figuring out exactly what content on their website will help them reach those goals. She enjoys helping people learn about SEO and watching how people can improve their optimizing over time!

/0 Comments/by