Claim your Google Business Profile
This is the box with your name, map and reviews that appears for local searches. Add your category, service area, opening hours, phone number, website and a few real photos. Write a short description of who you help in plain words.
If you work only online or from home, check Google's options for hiding your address and showing a service area.
Write a page for each thing you help with
People search for a need, not a job title. Someone looking for "counselling for anxiety in Leeds" is better served by a page about exactly that than by a general home page. Give each need its own page, with:
- A clear heading in the words people use.
- Your town named naturally.
- What a first session is like and how to book.
- A short answer to the questions people ask most.
Keep your details consistent
Use the same name, address and phone number on your website, Google profile and directory listings. Small differences confuse people as well as search engines.
Reviews, speed and trust
Genuine reviews help people choose you. Ask in a low-key way, and never offer anything in return, as Google does not allow it. For therapists, take extra care not to confirm who is a client in any public reply.
Make sure your site loads quickly on a phone, since most people search that way, and make the booking step short.
Be patient
Results build over months. Update your profile, add a new page when you spot a new need, and look at how people find you every month or two.
Look at the questions people ask. Common ones are how much a session costs, whether you offer evenings, what happens in a first session, and whether you work online. Answer them on your pages, in your own words, in short paragraphs. This helps visitors decide and helps search engines understand what each page is about. Check each page on your phone: clear headings, short paragraphs, a visible phone number or booking button. If you also work online, say which parts of the UK you cover. Finally, keep an eye on how people reach you. Most website tools show which pages get visits, and asking each new client how they found you adds a useful picture of what is working.
More questions
Do I need a Google Business Profile?
It is one of the simplest ways to appear for local searches, and it is free to set up.
Can I pay Google to appear higher?
Google Ads exist, but they cost money per click and need care. Many therapists start with a good profile and website first.
How quickly will I see results?
It can take weeks or months, and nobody can promise a result. Keep your profile and pages up to date.
