5 Visual Icks That Suck the Joy Right Out of Your Therapy Website
So, you’re sitting there thinking “Hey, I’m a really great therapist with a huge referral network- what does it matter what my website looks like?”
Harsh truth time, babe… AESTHETICS MATTER. Yes, even in the therapy and healing world. Ok, especially in the therapy and healing world now that the internet exists. Aesthetics = the overarching brand energy of your business.
Your website is your chance to show potential clients the kind of vibes you give off before you even meet them. In harsher words - the aesthetics of your website can determine if you’re going to land new clients or make them click back before the homepage finishes loading.
A lot of our clients tell us about the ladder situation on their initial inquiry with us. They come to us saying they have good SEO and their site is getting decent traffic, yet people are leaving the page immediately…and definitely not scheduling a free consultation.
Here are the top 5 visual icks we find most often on therapy websites, written by our CEO Rachel. Rachel feels very strongly about these icks. She’s salty because these icks suck the joy right out of the viewer’s experience and send your potential clients running to the next therapist on the list.
01: The Almighty Wall of Text
At the end of the day, we are all cute lil skimmers.
We get it, you’re super enthusiastic about your services and want potential clients to get the (really) full picture of who you are and what you offer. But no one is signing up to read a Melville-length novel on your site. Oh, and your site actually isn’t about you at all….but that’s for another post. Keep it concise and break it up for easy reading - think about what people need to see the most and make it bold and obvious.
02: The Icy-Cold Corporate Aesthetic
While we love a good minimalist aesthetic, you still want clients to know that you create a warm and safe healing environment. Afterall, they are about to open up to you in the most vulnerable way possible, and a ‘2005 community mental health clinic aesthetic’ doesn’t exactly scream “it’s cozy here.”
03: The DIY Gone Wrong
There’s 4 different fonts, colors clashing everywhere, and your headshot is a car selfie from an ancient Facebook album. Yeah…this is oddly specific. We’ve seen a lot. We know building a professional website can be pricey and/or time consuming, but it really is non-negotiable to have a website that actually works for you and attracts your ideal clients. If you’re going to do it yourself, and you are not tech/design savvy, we suggest purchasing a premium Squarespace template and tailoring it to your brand.
04: The “where is all the important info?”
A website should be easy to navigate. If someone has to dig through endless pages just to find out your session rates or how to contact you, they’re going to give up. Keep it clear, keep it simple, and try to stick to under six pages of content.
05: The Holier than Thou
Yes, your accomplishments are amazing, and you should absolutely highlight them on your ‘About’ page! But if your site feels like a brag sheet, it’s a major turnoff. Keep your credentials brief and focus on writing copy that speaks directly to your ideal client to show them you’re qualified and relatable.
Now, are you starting to panic a little, wondering if your own site might be on the “ick list”?
Don’t stress! Start with small tweaks like trimming down text, simplifying your navigation, or softening your aesthetic - they can make a big difference.
And, if you’re ready to show your business the ultimate self-care and invest in a website that will make you want to joyfully market yourself from the rooftops… Practice Joy has your back.
