Ready to boost your coaching business's online presence? You're in the right place! This guide will walk you through proven strategies to help potential clients find you online and choose your services with confidence.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your existing practice, these steps will help you create a strong online presence that attracts your ideal clients.
What This Guide Is (And Isn't)
Let's be clear about what you're getting. This is your go-to reference for:
Practical steps that are working right now for successful life, dating, career, and health coaches.
Regularly updated best practices for getting genuine 5-star reviews.
Real-world advice from coaches who've built thriving practices.
A place to ask questions and get answers - see our FAQ section, or ask your own question via hello@zarla.com.
This isn't:
A quick-fix solution (good things take time).
A sales pitch for marketing services. Everything here can be done by the business owner.
Complex technical jargon you'll need a developer to understand.
The best part? You can implement everything here yourself, saving money while maintaining complete control over your online presence. After all, nobody understands your coaching practice and clients better than you do!
Step 1: Create a Website That Converts
Your website is often a potential client's first impression of your coaching practice. Here's how to make it count:
The Hero Section: Your First Impression
Think of this as your digital handshake. Above the fold (what visitors see without scrolling), include:
A clear statement of how you help solve your clients' specific challenges.
An inviting "Book a Free Consultation" or “Contact Me” button.
A professional photo that helps clients connect with you personally.
Services Section: Your Offering
Make it crystal clear what you provide:
List your specific coaching services (career development, relationship coaching, resume writing, etc.).
Include your packages or pricing tiers.
Highlight what makes your approach unique.
Testimonials: Social Proof
Let your successful clients do the talking:
Feature client success stories with photos.
Display your star ratings and reviews from trusted sources, such as Google.
Include before-and-after scenarios (where appropriate).
About Section: Your Story
Help potential clients connect with you:
Share your journey to becoming a coach.
Highlight your certifications and relevant experience.
Include your coaching philosophy and approach
Trust Builders
Establish your credibility:
Display logos of coaching organizations you belong to.
Show media features or speaking engagements.
Include any relevant certifications or awards.
Show logos of media where you’ve been featured.
Contact Section
Make it easy to reach you:
Include a simple contact form.
List your phone number and email.
Add links to your social media profiles.
Feature your scheduling tool (like Calendly).
Step 2: Set Up Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile is crucial for local visibility. Here's how to optimize it:
Create your profile at business.google.com.
Choose your business category (Life Coach, Career Coach, etc.).
Add essential elements:
A professional headshot.
Photos of your coaching space or virtual office.
Images from speaking engagements or workshops.
A compelling business description.
Your complete service list.
Website and booking links.
Areas you serve (your city plus nearby locations).
Step 3: Generate Authentic 5-Star Reviews
Reviews build trust and improve your visibility. Here's a simple template to request reviews from satisfied clients:
[First name], thanks for trusting me with your [specific service]. Would you be willing to share a quick rating of how I did? It won't take more than a minute, and every rating I get helps a ton.
Here's where you can leave your rating: [Your Google Review Link].
Thank you, I really appreciate it!
[Owner's name]
[Business name]
Pro tip: Send this request when clients are most excited about their progress – usually right after achieving a significant milestone in their coaching journey.
Step 4: Track Your Success with Search Console
Google Search Console helps you understand how potential clients find you online. Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Go to Google Search Console
Open your browser and go to the Google Search Console website.
Click the "Start Now" button to begin. You’ll need to sign in with a Google account. If you don’t have one, click “Create account” to set one up first.
Step 2: Add Your Website
Once logged in, you’ll see two options for adding your website.
Domain: Use this if you want to track all subdomains (e.g., www.example.com and blog.example.com) and all protocols (http and https).
URL Prefix: Use this if you want to track only a specific URL (e.g., https://www.example.com).
Choose the “Domain” option and type your domain.
Click "Continue" to proceed.
Step 3: Verify Your Website Ownership
Google needs to confirm that you own the website. Follow the steps provided to verify your ownership (we recommend the TXT method if possible).
Once you’ve completed one of the verification methods, Google will confirm ownership. If successful, you’ll see a message that says "Ownership Verified". If it doesn’t work, double-check that you’ve followed all steps correctly, and try again.
Step 4: Submit Your Sitemap
To help Google crawl and index your website more efficiently, submit your sitemap:
In Google Search Console, go to the “Sitemaps” section (in the left-hand menu).
Enter the URL of your sitemap (e.g., https://www.example.com/sitemap.xml). Most website builders automatically create a sitemap for you; check your builder’s documentation for the URL.
Click "Submit."
Step 5: Regularly Monitor Your Site
Log in to Google Search Console weekly to check for updates, new keywords, or any issues with your site. Fixing errors promptly ensures your site performs at its best.
Using the “Performance” tab, you can check in on your website’s impressions, clicks, and positioning in search results.
The purple line (total impressions) will grow over time, and slowly increase clicks to your website. Your Google Business Profile may show up higher than your website (especially at first), and will also drive clicks and calls to your business.
What to Expect
Building online visibility takes time, but stick with it! Here's a typical timeline:
Months 1-2: Your site starts appearing for searches of your name
Months 3-4: Begin ranking for local terms like "life coach [your city]"
Months 5-6: Improved visibility for specific coaching services
Speed up your progress by:
Writing helpful articles on Medium.
Contributing to coaching discussions on Reddit.
Maintaining active social media profiles.
Guest posting on relevant blogs.
Remember, consistent effort pays off. Focus on providing value, and the rankings will follow naturally.
Need help getting started? We're here to support your journey. Reach out to hello@zarla.com with any questions!
FAQs
What should be on a life coach website?
Your life coaching website should include these essential elements:
A clear description of who you help and how you help them.
Your coaching packages and pricing.
Client success stories and testimonials.
Your credentials and experience.
A simple way to book a consultation.
Blog posts or resources that showcase your expertise.
Professional photos of yourself.
A privacy policy and terms of service.
What is a fair price for a life coach website?
The cost of a life coach website can range from $0 to $500+ per month, depending on your approach:
Zarla.com: $0 to $9/month. Both free and paid plans include customizable templates designed for coaches.
Website builders like Wix or Squarespace: $15–35/month.
WordPress with a premium theme: $30–50/month.
Custom-built website: $2,000–5,000+ one-time cost plus monthly hosting costs.
What is the best platform for a life coach website?
The best platform depends on your technical skills and needs:
Zarla.com: Ideal for beginners, offering intuitive setup, life-coach-specific templates, and built-in branding tools.
Wix or Squarespace: Great for beginners, beautiful templates, all-in-one solution.
WordPress: More flexible, better for blogging, larger learning curve.
Webflow: Advanced design capabilities, steeper learning curve.