These days, most people turn to Google when they need a service—whether it’s a trainer, a mediator, or an editor. If your website isn’t showing up in those search results, you’re missing out on potential clients. That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in. It’s the process of helping your site appear when people search for the kinds of services you offer—and the good news is, you can start making improvements today, no tech background required.
Here are a few simple SEO basics to get you started:
What Is SEO, Really?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s all about helping your website appear in search results when potential clients are looking for the services you offer. The better your SEO, the more likely you are to show up at the top of the list—which means more visibility, and more potential clients.
DIY Steps You Can Take to Improve Your Website's SEO:
1. Use the Right Keywords
Keywords are the words and phrases your ideal client types into Google. For example, if you’re a career coach, your keywords might be “resumé help for executives” or “career coaching in Denver.”
Make a list of phrases your clients might search for, then naturally include those phrases in your:
- Page titles
- Headlines (like H1 or H2 tags)
- Paragraphs
- Image descriptions (called alt text)
- Meta descriptions (those little blurbs that show up in search results)
Pro Tip: Don’t overdo it—Google likes content that reads naturally.
2. Write Clear Titles and Meta Descriptions
Every page on your website has a title tag and a meta description. These show up in Google search results, so make them count!
Good title: “Compassionate Divorce Mediation in Portland | Heartwise Mediation”
Bad title: “Home”
A clear meta description tells people what your page is about and encourages them to click. Example: “Looking for divorce mediation in Portland? Heartwise Mediation offers a respectful, balanced approach to resolving conflicts. Schedule a free consultation.”
3. Make Sure Your Website Works on Mobile Devices
More than half of all web traffic comes from phones. If your website is hard to use on a small screen, Google will rank it lower.
Open your site on your phone and ask:
- Is the text easy to read?
- Are the buttons easy to tap?
- Does the site load quickly?
If the answer to any of these is no, it may be time for a refresh.
4. Get Found Locally (aka Local SEO)
If you are a place-based practitioner, showing up in local searches is key. Here’s how:
- Add your city or region to your website copy where it makes sense
- Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile
- Ask happy clients for reviews
This helps Google know where you’re located and that you’re a trustworthy local provider.
5. Create Helpful, Original Content
Google loves fresh content that helps real people. That could be blog posts, FAQs, or even short articles addressing common client questions.
Example: A therapist could write a blog post like “How to Tell if You Might Be Experiencing Burnout.”
Helpful content shows Google you know your field—and helps clients trust you too.
Remember: SEO is organic. That means results take time and consistent effort. You might not see big changes overnight, but the work you put in today can pay off in visibility and client leads down the road.
And if you need a hand? Mainstay Design can help you build a website that not only looks great, but also gets found. Learn more SEO basics and find out how we can support you, and reach out anytime!
