How to ensure you are being seen on google.
Having a counselling website that attracts a steady flow of clients and ranks highly on Google can take a fair amount of time and effort. And this is before you consider the ever-changing methods of Google. when it comes to deciding who ranks on the first page. As someone who is starting their journey to private practice, it is important to make the most of your online presence, but knowing where to start isn’t easy. You might not know what is required to keep your site high in the search rankings – nor do you have the time to learn.
However, one easy and popular way to improve your standing on Google and attract new clients is through blogging.
How Blogging Works
A blog post is just a page of written text – ranging from anywhere between 350 and 1,000 words – that you can add to your website whenever you like. They are much like articles: pieces about a specific subject, like depression or CBT, that allow you to demonstrate your reliability as a counsellor by talking at length about a certain area of the work you do.
Why Blogging Is Good for Google
Google gives priority to websites that are active – compared to the many out there that go live and then sit there to gather dust. Even adding one keyword-rich blog post a month tells Google that your website is producing fresh content and of high value to potential clients searching for your services.
There are three things to keep in mind when writing for Google.
1) Expertise: Write copy that demonstrates your high level of knowledge and skill in a particular field. If you are a bereavement specialist, for example, hone in on this area and show clients the depth of your understanding around the subject.
2) Authority: As a counsellor just starting out, building genuine authority with readers and Google takes time. The only way to gain this authority is through regular demonstration of expertise, along with links to other reliable websites in your field. Be sure to use both internal and external links wherever possible.
3) Trustworthiness: Make sure all information included on your counselling website’s blog is completely accurate, transparent, and can be backed up by credible sources. Consider adding your membership credentials too to further bolster trust levels.
How To Get Started
The key to converting blog posts into increasing your Google presence and attracting clients is regular posting. Many website owners will start off with a flurry of blog posts in the first couple of months, then drop off and ultimately stop posting altogether. To avoid making this mistake, plan a series of topics and titles – areas you’d like to write about – and then schedule when you’re going to write them.
TIP: Consider anonymous client case studies as a source of material for regular blog posts.
You don’t need to write a new blog post every week to improve your online presence. As a busy counsellor working with clients all day every day, you most likely don’t have the time anyway. However, research shows that writing two blog posts a month over a prolonged period of time will demonstrate your website’s authority to Google’s search engine crawlers and improve your standing on its search engine results page for your particular location (e.g. “counselling in Crawley”). Moreover, a consistent stream of engaging posts shows users that you are knowledgeable and eager to provide additional value to website visitors, which makes them more likely to get in touch with you and arrange a booking.
If you would like to know a bit more about blogging or need some further advice on how to get started, get in touch with our friendly team at WebHealer. We would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
For more information please visit: https://webhealer.net
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You might also be interested in: https://ispc.org.uk/2022/are-they-listening-to-you/
