SEO and the Summer Slowdown

It’s the middle of summer, and for many of my SEO clients, that means a sudden decrease in calls. That can be pretty frightening, especially if you weren’t expecting it. But, during the summer we typically see fewer people searching for mental health services. This could be due to a variety of reasons, but the most probable include summer activities, vacations, and an all-around relaxed pace of life for a couple of months. 

That being said, you’re still working and looking to attract your ideal client on Google, so you may be wondering; “what can I do to boost my SEO during my downtime?” Today, I wanted to take a moment and share 5 things you can do to boost your SEO this summer. 

5 Ways to Boost Your SEO During the Summer Slowdown:

Update your Google My Business Listing

If you have a physical address I highly recommend using this time to make sure the information on your Google My Business Listing is current. Just like your website, Google ranks businesses with current listings higher. So, it’s important to check on your listening from time to time. 

There are a lot of things that go into updating your Google My Business Listings but perhaps the most important is checking that the address, hours, phone number you have listed is current. Also, add photos of your practice and If you want bonus points, post on your profile frequently. Lastly, don’t forget to respond to any review, question, or comment within 24 business hours. 

Want to learn more about Google My Business? Check out our Blog: A Deep Dive Into Google My Business

Make sure your website’s footer includes your name, address, and phone number. 

One of the first things I suggest all my clients do is take care of adding their NAP to their footer. No, they don’t actually get to sleep… bummer, right?! In the wonderful world of SEO, NAP refers to name, address, and phone number. Listing your NAP on your footer boosts your credibility in the eyes of Google. The benefit of adding it to your footer is that it will then be visible, no matter what page a client is on. 

Bonus: Make sure this information is congruent on any site Google may pull from. This includes Google My Business, directory listings, and more. 

Blog

I imagine some of you have gotten to this part of my blog post and are rolling your eyes. I get it. Not everyone enjoys blogging (no matter how much I wish that weren’t true). Sorry to tell you, getting new and relevant content posted on your website is important. It keeps things current and let’s face it, Google likes it. 

But, here’s the catch. I don’t want you to blog just because Google likes it. Blogging can be very beneficial to your clients and prospective clients as well. Try to look at blogging as a way to destigmatize mental health. It gives people actionable tips for improving their wellbeing and valuable information. Furthermore, I’ve had many therapists who have shared their blog posts with their current clients between sessions so they can continue working on their therapeutic goals.

Here is our comprehensive guide to blogging. Check it out! 

Build Backlinks

We talk a lot about increasing your credibility on Google. In fact, all my earlier tips are designed to do so. One crucial way you can do this is to build backlinks. If you’re not sure what a backlink is, it’s when another website points (links to) your website’s URL. A backlink builds credibility because it essentially acts as a vote of confidence showing that the referring domain sees you as a reliable source. 

There are lots of ways you can go about getting backlinks to your websites. One thing I want you to know is paying for backlinks is against Google’s terms of service and it can be detrimental to your SEO. 

Here are some ways to build backlinks and boost your SEO:

• Get on therapist directories
• Get on resource lists
• Guest blog for other therapists or helping professionals
• Be a source for media outlets
• Job listings
• Public speaking announcements
• Donation lists

Curious to learn more about backlinks? We have options! Take our Building Backlinks e-course. Or, check out our comprehensive guide to backlinks blog.

Brainstorm new SEO ideas

The last thing I recommend you do is brainstorm new SEO ideas. I want you to think about new ways to reach your ideal clients and meet the needs of your private practice. Some things I encourage you to keep in mind are:

• Which therapists do you want to fill?
• What services do you want to promote via SEO?
• Are there any services you’re offering or diagnoses you’re frequently treating that you don’t have a service page for?
• What are your ideal client’s pain points? Have you addressed these in your copy or blog posts?

Final Thoughts on SEO and the Summer Slowdown

I totally understand that going through a slow time may be frustrating as a private practice owner. But, it gives you a unique opportunity to work on your SEO so you can reach your ideal clients easier. I encourage you to use this time to do any or all of the things I mentioned above to lay the foundation for SEO success during the rest of the year.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by these to-dos, please reach out to us for a free consultation. We offer a variety of SEO options designed to meet the needs of private practice therapists. When you meet with a member of our team during your consultation we can discuss your goals for success and our SEO service offerings, training, and e-courses. Don’t wait to work on SEO! The sooner you get started, the sooner you can begin to reach your ideal clients on Google. 

To begin optimizing your therapy website 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:

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!