If I were starting a wellness business today, I would take a completely different approach, especially with my website. Years ago, when I was working as a holistic nutritionist, I was always the go-to person for friends and family who needed help with their websites. I loved design just as much as wellness, and over time, I realized that was where my true passion was.
Now, as the founder of a web design studio, I see just how important a strong website is. It’s not just a place to share what you do; it’s how people connect with you, trust you, and decide to work with you. And one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since is how to improve your website so that it works for you, attracts the right clients, and helps your business grow. If you’re still on the fence about whether a website is essential for your business, this post breaks it all down.
But having a website isn’t just about having one—it needs to actually work for your business. A well-designed site should attract the right people, make it easy for them to learn about your services, and turn visitors into clients. If I were launching a wellness business today, the first thing I’d focus on is how to improve my website to make it more effective. These are the five strategies I would prioritize from day one.
1. Prioritize a Beautiful and Functional Website
First impressions are crucial, especially online where attention spans are short and competition is fierce. When potential clients land on your website, they form an opinion in mere seconds. If your site looks outdated, cluttered, or isn’t that easy to navigate, they might not linger long enough to uncover the wealth of value you have to offer.
This is why having a beautiful and functional website is so important. It captures attention, keeps visitors engaged, and makes them want to explore further. Your website should feel like walking into a beautiful, welcoming space that represents you and your business. It should be clean, simple, and true to your brand, with high-quality images, easy-to-read fonts, and colors that feel inviting. If you’re looking for a platform that gives you full creative control without the tech headaches, Showit is a great option. It allows you to design freely while keeping everything user-friendly and functional, so you can focus on your business instead of struggling with website tech. I go into more detail about why Showit is a great option in this blog post.
When I think about outdated websites, I always compare them to those salons that haven’t been updated in years. You walk in, and the walls are lined with old, sun-faded posters of hairstyles from decades ago. The models look completely outdated, and the whole place just feels stuck in time. It makes you wonder.. if they haven’t updated their decor, are their techniques outdated too? The same thing happens with websites. If your site looks old or neglected, people might assume your business is too. And you don’t want that, right?
2. Make It Easy for People to Find What They Need
Speaking of being functional, one of the biggest reasons people leave a website is because they can’t find what they’re looking for. If visitors have to click around aimlessly or dig through cluttered pages to get basic info, they’re probably not sticking around for long.
Think about walking into a store where the sections are all over the place, the signs don’t help, and there’s no one around to point you in the right direction. You start browsing, but after a few minutes of digging through random racks, you get frustrated and leave for a store that’s easier to shop in. (If you’ve ever shopped at Winners in Canada, you know what I mean. There might be something amazing in there, but I just don’t have the patience to sift through the chaos to find it.)
I hate to break it to you, but your website works the same way. If people can’t quickly find what they’re looking for, they’re not going to stay and explore your site. Your navigation should be clear, simple, and obvious. When in doubt, stick to the essentials: Home, About, Services, and Contact.
Everything should feel effortless. Buttons should stand out, menus should be easy to scan, and people should always know where to go next. No one should have to guess where to click or what a button does. The goal is to guide them, not make them work for it.
3. Optimize for Mobile and Speed
If there’s one thing that will send people away from your site fast, it’s a clunky experience on their phone. These days, most people will visit your website from a mobile device, so if it’s hard to read, difficult to navigate, or things don’t load properly, they won’t stick around.
Speed is just as important. No one has the patience to wait for a slow site to load. If it takes more than a few seconds, visitors will bounce and look elsewhere. I know I do.
Here’s how to make sure your website is mobile-friendly and fast:
- Use a responsive design. Your site should adjust automatically to different screen sizes. Most website platforms do this, but always double-check and prioritize your mobile experience.
- Optimize your images. Large image files slow things down. Resize and compress them to keep your site running smoothly.
- Keep it clean. Avoid clutter, pop-ups, and unnecessary animations that can slow down the experience.
- Choose a solid website platform and hosting provider. Not all are created equal. A good host keeps your site fast and reliable.
The bottom line? A slow or clunky website doesn’t just push people away, it makes your business look unprofessional. If someone struggles to use your site, they might start wondering if working with you will feel just as frustrating. And that’s definitely not the impression you want to leave.
4. Use High-Quality Content and SEO Practices
Having a beautiful, easy-to-use website is great, but if no one can find it, what’s really the point? That’s where content and SEO come in.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) might sound complicated, but at its core, it’s just about making sure your website shows up when people search for what you offer. And the best way to do that? Create high-quality content that speaks directly to your ideal clients.
Here’s how to make your content work for you:
- Use clear, simple language. No need for jargon. Write the way you talk so people connect with you.
- Answer common questions. Think about what people ask you all the time and turn those answers into blog posts, service pages, or FAQs.
- Use keywords naturally. These are the words people type into Google when looking for services like yours. Sprinkle them throughout your site in a way that feels natural.
- Write strong page titles and meta descriptions. This helps search engines understand what your site is about and makes people more likely to click.
One thing to know: SEO isn’t just about rankings, it’s also about building trust. If your website provides valuable, easy-to-find information, people will see you as an expert before they even reach out. And when they’re ready to book? You’ll be the first person they think of.
5. Show Social Proof and Client Testimonials
In the wellness industry, trust is everything. Before someone books with you, they want to know they’re in good hands. That’s why social proof—things like testimonials, reviews, and client success stories—can make such a big impact.
Think about it: when you’re looking for a new restaurant, hairstylist, or even a yoga studio, what’s the first thing you do? You check the reviews. Your potential clients do the same. They want to see real proof that you can deliver on your promises.
Here’s how to use social proof effectively on your website:
- Add testimonials to key pages. Your homepage and services page, and maybe even your contact page.
- Highlight specific results. Instead of just “Loved working with [your name],” ask your clients to showcase real transformations like, “After just one month, I had more energy and felt healthier than ever.”
- Use different formats. Text, video testimonials, screenshots of social media praise—whatever feels authentic.
- Make it easy to see. Don’t bury testimonials at the bottom of a page. Place them where they naturally support your content.
The special thing about social proof is that it doesn’t just build credibility, it helps potential clients see themselves working with you. When they read about someone else’s success, they start thinking, that could be me. And that’s what makes them take action.
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And as someone who will forever advocate for balance over hustle, I can’t help but end this post by reminding you that I know how overwhelming managing a business, let alone a website, can be. If you ever need support, I’m here to help. And if you’re feeling stretched too thin, these mindful strategies might be exactly what you need right now.
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Note: Some links on this page are affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them (at no extra cost to you). Sometimes, you’ll get a discount or special bonus for using them.
February 19, 2025
