Squarespace Website Tips for Therapists
If you’ve been following along withus for some time now, you know the importance of having a professional and unique website as a therapist or coach to attract your ideal clients.
And, with Squarespace, creating a website has never been easier. However, with so many templates available on Squarespace and the world wide web, it can be challenging to make your website stand out.
Don’t worry; we got you!
Here are some tips on how to make your Squarespace website template stand out as a therapist.
How to make your Squarespace website stand out as a therapist
1. Choose the Right Template
First, choose a template that fits your niche and target audience.
Squarespace offers templates that cater to different professions and industries, including healthcare and wellness. Choose a template that aligns with your brand and the message you want to convey to potential clients.
A Squarespace template refers to the design you chose as a starting point for your new Squarespace site.
The built in templates with Squarespace, well look like a Squarespace template. They are generic and void of personality.
With a PREMADE Squarespace template, you get a whole new website that looks professionally done for you, doesn’t look like a Squarespace site, tells you exactly where you need to put what, and you get the VIP experience of Lindsey and me holding your hand throughout every step of the way.
Here’s why we strongly recommend against using a template on the Squarespace website:
You are not a web designer. You are a therapist trained in mental health, and you are creating a website to do just that (attract your ideal client to hire you for your mental health services). Your time and your skill set should and could be used elsewhere.
It will take you well over 40 hours to create a website for therapists using a template through the Squarespace site alone because none of them are made specifically for therapists.
Using a Squarespace template (i.e., not paying for a designer or a predesigned template) IS NOT A GOOD USE OF YOUR TIME.
Instead, purchase a PREMADE Squarespace template for therapists that is set up with everything you need from the get-go. At PREMADE, our templates come with plug-and-play texts for therapists, service pages, contact pages, clear CTA’s…the list goes on and on.
For just $299, you can have a fully functioning website designed specifically for therapists. You will make that back in two client sessions!
Trust me, I attempted to use a Squarespace template and design my own site and failed miserably. Benefit from my mistakes and purchase a PREMADE template for your therapy business 🙃.
2. Customize Your SQUARESPACE Template
Once you have chosen your template (if you want a full list of other premade Squarespace templates for therapists, check out this resource list of other vendors), customize it to make it unique to your practice.
Squarespace allows you to change everything from the font to the color scheme. Make sure your website reflects your brand and personality. We recommend completing our free brand therapy guide prior to launching your site. Then, infuse your brand values and mission statement throughout your website. The more you add to your template that is unique for your style and specific location, the better you will rank for SEO. Your uniqueness pays off in a multitude of ways!
You should also add your own images and videos to make your website more engaging.
3. Keep Your Squarespace Website Simple
Remember, less is more. While it can be tempting to add all sorts of bells and whistles to your website, sometimes a simple design is more effective. Make sure your website is easy to navigate, and the content is easy to read. Use short paragraphs and bullet points to break up the text. Have clear Calls to Action (CTA) on every section of your website and make scheduling with you a seamless process.
Your website should act as a modern-day business card, easy to share and easy to use.
4. Highlight Your Services on Your Website
Make sure your website clearly outlines the services you offer. Potential clients want to know what you specialize in and how you can help them. Use clear and concise language to describe your services and provide information on your qualifications and experience. Avoid using overly clinical jargon, and write directly for the client. Highlight your uniqueness and show potential clients that you really get where they are coming from. Show up as you!
5. Include Testimonials on Your Website
Including client testimonials on your website is a great way to build trust with potential clients. But, this is tricky as a therapist because you never want to ask clients for testimonials and make them uncomfortable. You also don’t want to have a HIPAA violation and potentially expose someone’s identity online.
A great workaround is asking colleagues to write you a testimonial. Invite peers to do a review swap and give them one in return. Link to their website in the testimonial as a win-win!
If you do have a client that VOLUNTARILY gives you a review, ask for their consent to use it on your website. Make sure only to use their initials and remove any identifying information.
6. Make it easy for clients to set up a new appointment with you
Include a clear call-to-action button on your website that directs potential clients to your scheduling software or contact page. Make the process as simple and streamlined as possible to encourage more people to book an appointment.
On my private practice website, all the CTAs link to either Calendly or Simple Practice depending on the action I want potential clients to take. For new client inquiries, they can schedule a consult call with anyone in Third Nature Therapy practice directly from the website.
For networking inquiries or non-client-related connections, they can schedule a time on my calendar with Calendly or reach out to me via email. My website is my virtual assistant in this way. The scheduling is seamless and makes my workload much more manageable.
Pro tip: Avoid back-and-forth emails regarding scheduling at all costs.
7. Offer free resources that generate new leads to your mailing list
Offering free resources such as ebooks, guides, or worksheets can be a great way to generate new leads for your mailing list. Make sure these resources are informative and valuable to your target audience. In exchange for these resources, ask visitors to provide their email addresses for your mailing list.
8. Showcase your brand through visuals and graphics
Use visuals and graphics to showcase your brand and make your website more visually appealing. Consider using professional headshots, images of your office, or infographics to communicate information in a clear and engaging way.
A good practice is to have a variety of images of yourself, your office space, how you work with people, and any modalities you use in practice.
Ideal clients want to FEEL how it would be to work with you. You can do that through your photography. You need them to understand and envision the transformation they will feel working with you.
9. Write your website copy in a style that highlights who you are as a therapist
Make sure your website copy accurately reflects your personality and style as a therapist. Use language that is warm, inviting, and easy to understand. Avoid jargon or technical language that may be confusing to potential clients.
10. Make sure your website runs smoothly so you feel confident sharing it
Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and optimized for search engines. Many people use their phones to search for services, so having a mobile-friendly website is essential. Additionally, optimizing your website for search engines can help potential clients find your website more easily.
Ask a few friends to test out your site and give you some feedback. Your website is working as your marketing assistant 24/7 and you want to make sure it helps you find your ideal client, no matter the time!
Next Steps
Now that you have these tips in mind, it's time to start creating your Squarespace website! Remember to take your time and make sure your website accurately represents your brand and the services you offer. Once your website is up and running, be sure to share it on social media and other marketing channels to attract new clients. Good luck!
JULIE GOLDBERG is the founder of Third Nature Therapy, a virtual therapy group offering holistic mental health care for people seeking a different perspective on wellbeing. As a mental health practitioner herself, she offers straightforward and easy to implement methods for running a successful private practice.