How to Choose a Website Designer (Especially if You’re a Therapist or Coach)

Lola
3 days ago
4 min read

Choosing someone to build your website can feel weirdly personal because it is. Your site isn’t just a digital brochure. It’s often the first place a potential client decides whether you feel safe, professional, and like someone they could trust.

If you’re a therapist, coach, or helper, you don’t need the loudest designer on the internet. You need someone who can translate your work into a calm, clear online experience. If you’ve been wondering how to choose a website designer who understands therapists and coaches, this guide will help you make a confident, grounded decision.

Here’s how to choose a website designer in a way that feels grounded and genuinely supportive.

1) Start with the outcome you actually want

Before you look at portfolios, get clear on what “success” looks like for you.

Ask yourself:

Do I want more enquiries, better-fit enquiries, or fewer back-and-forth questions?
Do I need online booking, forms, a waitlist, or a simple contact flow?
Do I want to feel proud sending people to my website?
Do I need a brand refresh too, or is my brand solid?

When you know the goal, it’s easier to spot a designer who can get you there.

2) Look for clarity in their portfolio, not just “pretty”

A beautiful website is nice. A website that makes it easy for the right people to take the next step is better.

When you review a designer’s work, check:

Can you immediately tell what the business does?
Is it easy to find services, pricing (if relevant), and how to book?
Does the site feel calm and trustworthy, not overwhelming?
Does the copy guide you, or do you feel lost?

If you’re a therapist or coach, your website should feel like a deep exhale.

3) Make sure they understand your industry (or are willing to learn it)

You don’t need a designer who only works with therapists but you do want someone who understands the nuances of service-based work.

A good fit designer will:

Respect confidentiality and sensitive topics
Understand that trust matters more than hype
Know how to structure a site around reassurance, clarity, and next steps
Be comfortable designing around booking systems and client journeys

If they talk only about “funnels” and “scaling” without mentioning trust, tone, or client experience, it may not be the right match.

4) Ask what their process looks like (and how they keep it calm)

A strong process is everything. It protects your time, your energy, and your sanity.

Ask:

What are the steps from start to finish?
What do you need from me, and when?
How do you handle feedback and revisions?
What happens if I get stuck on content?
What’s the typical timeline?

You’re looking for structure and flexibility, especially if you’re juggling client work.

5) Check whether they do strategy, not just design

Design without strategy can look great and still underperform.

A strategic designer will help you:

Clarify your message (who you help, how, and why it matters)
Create a clear page structure
Build a smooth enquiry or booking flow
Make sure your site supports your business goals

If they only talk about fonts and colours, you may end up with a site that’s pretty but confusing.

6) Confirm they can build the features you need

Therapists and coaches often need specific functionality.

Common needs include:

Online booking (and a simple way to manage it)
Intake forms or enquiry forms
A clear services layout
A blog or resources section
Email list sign-up
Accessibility basics (readability, contrast, mobile usability)

Ask what platform they use (Wix, Wix Studio, Squarespace, WordPress) and why. The best platform is the one you can actually maintain.

7) Ask about SEO and what’s included (so there are no surprises)

You don’t need to become an SEO expert but you do need to know the basics are covered.

Ask:

Do you set up page titles and meta descriptions?
Do you optimise headings and image alt text?
Do you connect Google Search Console and Analytics?
Do you offer SEO support or collaborate with an SEO specialist?

Even a simple site can be set up in a way that helps people find you.

8) Make sure you’ll still feel supported after launch

Launch day isn’t the end of the relationship with your website.

Ask:

Do you provide training so I can update things myself?
Do you offer ongoing support (hourly or a maintenance plan)?
If something breaks, what’s the best way to get help?

You deserve to feel confident using your site, not scared to touch it.

9) Pay attention to how you feel when you talk to them

This matters more than people admit.

A good designer-client relationship should feel:

Safe
Clear
Collaborative
Respectful of your boundaries
Grounded (not rushed or salesy)

If you feel pressured, confused, or like you have to “perform” to be a good client, keep looking.

10) Questions to Ask When Choosing a Website Designer

Here are a few simple questions you can copy/paste into an enquiry email:

What’s your process and timeline?
What do you need from me to get started?
Have you worked with therapists/coaches/service providers before?
Can you help with structure and messaging, or do I need to bring all copy?
What’s included in the package (pages, revisions, booking setup, SEO basics)?
Do you provide training and post-launch support?
What’s the investment, and how does payment work?

A gentle reminder

Your website doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to feel like you, while making it easy for the right people to take the next step.

If you choose a designer who understands your work, has a calm process, and cares about clarity as much as aesthetics, you’ll end up with a website that supports you for years.