Why Your Therapy Website Isn't Getting Enquiries (And What I'd Change)
- Spirivo Account
- Jul 3
- 8 min read
You've invested in a website. It looks nice enough. Your services are listed, your contact page works and you've even shared it on social media.
''So why is my therapy website not getting any enquiries?''
As a therapist website designer, this is something I hear from therapists ALL THE TIME when therapists and counsellors come to me for help. The good news is, it's not personal. More often than not, it's because your website isn't giving visitors the confidence they need to reach out and your website is not portraying the real you.
Here are 4 of the biggest design issues I come across when reviewing therapy websites (even before critiquing your SEO, I'll save that for another blog!) and what I'd do differently. Throughout this article we will look at designs that work well.
1. Your Therapy Website Isn't Getting Enquiries Because... It Isn't Clear Who You Help
Imagine landing on a website that simply says... "Welcome to my therapy practice."
Okay... but who is it for? and Where?
Your visitors shouldn't have to work it out... it MUST be easy for them as humans are naturally lazy. Remember WHO, WHAT, WHERE and HOW for your hero section (your hero section is your opening landing page to your website!).
Within a few seconds, they should know exactly who you are are, your target audience and how you can support them. All sorts of people can visit your website so it needs to be clear what you and your website are about within seconds, otherwise they will leave... increasing your bounce rate.
The aim is to keep people hooked and cox them into contacting you.
Take a look at this website I designed below. Before even getting into the details about this therapist, you immediately know that her name is Viviane Hill, who is a qualified therapist and BACP Member (WHO), she provides therapy for individuals and couples online and in-person (WHAT) and she is located in Worthing (WHERE). Just as importantly, visitors are introduced to how Viviane works.
Every visual element has been carefully chosen to reflect her calm and grounded approach to therapy. The rich greens inspired by nature create a sense of stability and tranquillity, while the fresh pops of orange and white bring warmth, optimism and lightness to the design. Together, they create a website that feels both reassuring and uplifting, helping visitors feel supported before they've even made contact.
The hero image also tells its own story. The lush trees and flowing river represent growth and moving forward, while the rugged mountain landscape in the background acknowledges that life isn't always easy. It symbolises the challenges and difficult terrain many clients face, while gently reminding them that growth and resilience can flourish, even during life's most difficult seasons.
Images are powerful tools that tell a 1,000 words, so choose wisely and use them to your advantage.
These aren't just attractive design choices, I intentionally create designs through understanding and getting to know the therapist I am designing for so that visitors effortlessly understand them too. This design reinforces Viviane's values, create an emotional connection with visitors and help people imagine what it might feel like to work with her.
When someone lands on your website, they're subconsciously asking themselves, "Am I in the right place?" By clearly communicating who you are, what you offer, where you're based and giving people a genuine feel for your personality and therapeutic style, your website can answer that question almost instantly. That's what encourages the right clients to stay and ultimately get in touch.
2. Your Therapy Website Isn't Getting Enquiries Because... Your Homepage Is About You... Not Your Client
This one surprises people.
Many therapy websites begin with a long story about qualifications, training and experience... which can be a little boring and tedious for someone researching multiple therapists at once. While those things absolutely matter, they're usually not what visitors are looking for first.
People arrive on your website because they're struggling with something.
Each person is looking for connection and understanding. Before they want to know where you studied or even contact you, they want to know whether you understand what they're going through.
Don't miss the trick of effortlessly connecting with visitors to your site. Give them what they want to hear!
Start by talking about their challenges, then explain how you can help or simple highlight the areas of focus that you work with so when scanning your site they feel an instant link to you (save the detailed biography for your About page!).
Here's an example from Deborah Flynn-Harland's website, which I designed to immediately communicate the core areas of her practice on her Home page. Rather than making visitors search for the information they need, the homepage clearly highlights Deborah's key areas of expertise, capturing attention within seconds and helping potential clients quickly identify whether she's the right therapist for them. From there, they're naturally encouraged to explore the website further and learn more about how Deborah can support them.
Take a look at Deborah's website here: https://www.deborahflynn-harland.co.uk/
3. Your Therapy Website Isn't Getting Enquiries Because... Your Website Doesn't Feel Personal
Therapy is built on trust.
Before someone reaches out, they're asking themselves one important question:
"Do I feel like this therapist is right for me?"
Your website plays a huge part in answering that question.
Yes, I know I have previously touched on style when discussing Viviane Hill's website earlier, but its important that we explore this further and give you more home truths about what you need to think about when designing your website. If your website feels cold, generic or like every other template online, it becomes much harder for potential clients to connect with you. The truth is, your website shouldn't just explain what you do, it should give people a sense of who you are.
When I design websites for therapists, I don't start by choosing colours or fonts. I start by getting to know you.
What are your values?
How do you work with clients?
What kind of atmosphere do you create in the therapy room?
Who are the people you genuinely love working with?
You should start by asking yourself these same questions...
Your website is your virtual shop front, and just like a therapy room, it should feel like an extension of you and the types of clients you want to attract.
Perhaps your approach is calm, nurturing and focused on creating a safe space for clients to reflect and heal. If that's the experience you offer in the therapy room, your website should communicate those same feelings from the very first click.
A great example is the website I designed for my client, Stella Scrivens. Using a calming palette of pastel pinks and sage greens, alongside original photography of the Canadian lakes, the website creates a peaceful, spacious atmosphere that immediately puts visitors at ease.
These design choices are intentional. They speak directly to the audience Stella wants to attract, people experiencing stress, anxiety or trauma who are looking for a therapist that offers warmth, safety and compassion. The right website doesn't just represent you; it helps your ideal clients feel they've found the right place.
Take a look here: https://stellascrivenstherapy.co.uk/
Or perhaps your approach is more modern, direct and energetic. You encourage growth, challenge unhelpful patterns and aren't afraid to do things a little differently. In that case, your website should reflect that through bold colours, confident messaging and contemporary design.
A great example of this is a website I created for Grace Roach. Grace's practice focuses on supporting people from minority backgrounds and individuals with disabilities, creating an inclusive space where clients feel seen, heard and understood. Website link: https://seeingtogether.co.uk/
Rather than opting for soft, muted tones, I used bold contrasting colours and strong visual elements to reflect the dynamic and empowering nature of her work. I also incorporated imagery featuring people from diverse backgrounds throughout the website, helping visitors immediately recognise who Grace supports and reinforcing her commitment to inclusivity.
Combined with a modern design inspired by her metropolitan location, the website feels vibrant, welcoming and true to both Grace's personality and the clients she wants to attract.
It's a good example of why there isn't a "one-size-fits-all" approach to therapist websites.
Every design decision should support your values and most importantly, help your ideal clients feel that they've found the right therapist.
Neither approach is better than the other. What's important is that your website feels authentic to your practice.
Trying to appeal to everyone often means connecting with no one. The therapists with the strongest online presence are usually the ones who aren't afraid to let their personality shine through.
Some simple way to make your website feel more personal include:
A genuine welcome message.
Professional photographs that reflect your personality.
A friendly tone of voice that sounds like you.
Honest insight into how you work.
Consistent branding that reflects your style and values.
Design choices that attract the type of clients you want to work with.
Louise Burnop's website is a great example of keeping it personal.
View website: https://www.louiseburnop.com/
First impressions matter.
An outdated website can make your practice feel out of touch, even if you're highly experienced and fully booked. Your website should evolve as your practice does, reflecting who you are today, not who you were five years ago. Louise's modern, fun playful design is current and key to her younger audience.
They're choosing someone they feel comfortable opening up to. Your website should help them feel that connection before you've even spoken.
4. Your Therapy Website Isn't Getting Enquiries Because... Your Website Is Slow or Difficult to Use
This is one of those things many therapists never notice and its so frustrating to see!
Broken links.
Tiny text / different fonts
Slow loading pages.
Buttons that don't work properly on mobile.
Misalignments on mobile and tablet versions
They're all little frustrations that cause visitors to leave before they've even read your content.
A modern website should feel effortless and professional whether someone visits from their phone, tablet or computer. Not having this correctly impacts your professional image and makes you look less trust worthy.
Yes, therapists do go an build their own website but more often than not end up getting in a pickle because they don't fully understand the software and make silly and unfortunately noticeable mistakes that a professional website should not have.
If you do decide to build your own website, make sure you get a second pair of eyes to look it over and highlight errors... otherwise you could be deterring clients away. If your website is not professional, prospecting clients will often conclude neither are you.
What Next?
If you've found yourself nodding along while reading this article, it might be time to give your website a little more attention.
The good news? You don't have to figure it all out on your own.
I work exclusively with therapists and wellbeing professionals, helping them create websites that not only look beautiful but genuinely support the growth of their private practice.
Whether you're looking for:
A website review to identify what's stopping your website from converting visitors into enquiries.
A bespoke website or redesign that truly reflects you, your values and the clients you want to attract.
Ongoing website support and marketing guidance to keep your website fresh, visible and working hard for your practice.
...I'd love to help.
If you're not quite ready to get started, you can also join my Therapist Marketing Webinar Series, where I'll be sharing practical, jargon-free advice on websites, SEO and marketing your private practice with confidence.
Ready to take the next step? Book a free discovery call and let's chat about your website, your practice and how we can create an online presence that attracts the clients you want to work with.
Article written by Ella Rowlinson Founder Spirivo | Website Design, Marketing and Events Agency
Email: Editor@spirivo.com
Website: www.spirivo.com
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