How To Create A Website For Your Counselling Practice

Your website is often the first impression potential clients have of you. It’s where they decide whether you feel like the right person to help them, before they even make contact. A professional, easy-to-navigate site builds trust, helps you attract the right clients, and supports the growth of your private practice.

An effective website does much more than just look nice:

• Builds credibility: A professional site shows visitors you’re established and trustworthy.

• Reaches more people: It’s like having your counselling practice open 24/7.

• Cost-effective marketing: Compared to print advertising, a website can Reach far more people for less.

• Makes information accessible: Clients can find your services, contact details, and availability quickly.

• Improves client experience: A clear, calming website helps visitors feel confident before getting in touch.

How Much Should You Invest?

Think of your website like the window to your counselling room, it’s part of your professional space. If you’re just starting out, it’s okay to keep things simple. But if you want your website to actively bring in new clients, it’s worth investing in professional help. DIY website builders promise ‘easy setup,’ but unless you already have some technical and design skills, it can take a lot of time,  and the final result may not look as polished or professional as you’d hoped.

Good design isn’t just about colours and images, it’s about how your website works for your clients. Your site should be calming, professional, and easy to use. It also needs to work well on all devices. Many clients will view your website on their phone, so it’s important that your layout adjusts automatically (this is called being responsive). If a site is difficult to use on a mobile, most visitors won’t stay long enough to book a session.

Choosing The Right Website Platform

There are many website builders out there, but the most popular ones for counsellors are WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace. All are marketed as ‘easy to use,’ but they still require time, technical understanding, and a good eye for design to look professional.

WordPress

WordPress is one of the most widely used platforms in the world, known for its flexibility and professional features.

Pros:

• Gives you complete control over how your website looks and functions.

• Offers thousands of plugins and tools to grow with your practice.

• Highly customisable and adaptable for future expansion.

Cons:

• Has a learning curve — you’ll need some technical skill to set up and maintain it.

• Requires regular updates and separate hosting.

Best for: Counsellors who want a professional, long-term website and are comfortable learning or hiring help to manage it.

Wix (My Recommendation)

Wix has become a favourite for small business owners and counsellors because it offers great design flexibility and is simple to update once set up. The drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to move text and images around, and it’s a good option if you want to make small updates yourself in future.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface with hundreds of beautiful templates.

• Built-in mobile editor so your website looks great on any device.

• Excellent support and tutorials available.

• Improved SEO tools and performance, helping your website perform better on Google.

Cons:

• While it’s promoted as simple, it still takes time, creativity, and some design skill to look professional.

• Not ideal for very large or complex websites.

Best for: Counsellors who want an affordable, professional-looking site that’s easy to maintain once it’s been designed and set up correctly.

Squarespace

Squarespace is known for its sleek, modern designs and easy setup. It’s great for visually appealing websites.

Pros:

• Beautiful, professional templates that look polished right away.

• All-in-one hosting and support included.

• Ideal for creative practices and simple sites.

Cons:

• Customisation options are limited and sites can look similar.

• You’ll still need some design awareness to make your site feel unique.

Best for: Counsellors who value simplicity and visual design, and want a polished all-in-one system.

In Summary

Whether you choose WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace, remember that ‘easy to use’ doesn’t always mean quick or professional. Each platform requires time, patience, and some technical or design skills to get right. If you want a website that truly reflects your practice, builds trust, and attracts clients, getting a little professional help can make all the difference