SEO for Coaches in 2025
Why coaches need to implement Search Engine Optimisation
I know, it feels like you already have your hands full and now you are hearing you need to look into SEO too? In this short guide I will explain what SEO is, and what aspects you should know about for your website. I also include some easy tips that will get you started!
First, I just want to mention that Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is critical in ensuring that your coaching services are visible to potential clients when they search online. If done correctly, SEO will boost your online visibility and attract more clients who are already searching for services that you offer.
By the way - Effectively planning your SEO timeline is one way to ensure you stay consistent and motivated, even when your efforts seem not to make any difference!
Understanding SEO Basics
SEO, or search engine optimization, refers to the process of improving your website's visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). For coaches, SEO is vital because it helps your target audience find you online when they search for relevant topics or services. Understanding how SEO works involves grasping the principles behind search engine algorithms and knowing how to optimize your website accordingly.
Key Elements of SEO for Coaches
On-Page SEO
On-page SEO involves optimizing individual pages of your website to improve their search engine rankings. Key aspects of on-page SEO for coaches include conducting keyword research to identify relevant search terms that potential clients may use, optimizing headings and content with these keywords, and ensuring that your website's content is in line with best practices.
Off-Page SEO
Off-page SEO focuses on improving your website's authority and relevance through external factors such as backlinks and social signals. For coaches, building a strong online presence through guest blogging, participating in industry forums, and engaging with your audience on social media can all contribute to off-page SEO success. Which in turn will boost your site’s visits!
Technical SEO
Technical SEO focuses on optimizing the technical aspects of a website to improve its search engine visibility. This includes optimizing site speed, fixing broken links and redirects, implementing schema markup, ensuring mobile-friendliness and much more! Coaches need to prioritize technical SEO to ensure that their website is easily crawlable, indexable, and accessible to both users and search engines.
Local SEO for Coaches
Local SEO is particularly important for coaches who serve clients in specific locations. Optimizing your website for local search involves claiming and optimizing your Google My Business listing, ensuring consistency in your business's name, address, and phone number across online directories, and encouraging satisfied clients to leave positive reviews.
The best SEO Tools and Resources for Coaches
There are numerous tools and resources available to help coaches with their SEO efforts. From keyword research tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs to website analytics platforms like Google Analytics and Google Search Console, these tools can provide valuable insights into your website's performance and help you make informed decisions about your SEO strategy.
Have you invested in a great CRM (Client Relationship Management) yet? If you haven’t or are thinking of switching, check out my comprehensive article on Dubsado!
Common SEO Mistakes to Avoid
While SEO can be incredibly beneficial for coaches, there are also common pitfalls to avoid. Some of the most common SEO mistakes include keyword stuffing, neglecting technical SEO issues, and ignoring the importance of user experience. By understanding and avoiding these mistakes, you can maximize the effectiveness of your SEO efforts.
Keyword stuffing - This used to work back in the day, but Google and other search engines have implemented core updates that now penalise blogs that have stuffed keywords
Not keeping user experience in mind - This is a bit of a hot topic currently as Google has rolled out their Helpful Content Update which is pushing for more user-focused content.
Alternative (Alt) Text - I have seen numerous images on clients’ websites without any alt text. This is an accessibility issue for readers who may be using screen readers. Describing the image is a great user experience for your viewers who may need the accessibility features, but also images can rank in image search if you mention keywords you are targeting.
Tips that you can implement in 2025
I love sharing actionable tips and here are some of my favourites going in 2025!
Title tags and Meta Descriptions: Incorporate relevant keywords to enhance your visibility in search results.
Header Tags: Utilize H1, H2, and H3 tags to structure your content logically.
Image Optimization: Fill in the alt text on your images to improve accessibility and the chance of your image ranking for your site.
Responsive Design: Your site should provide an excellent user experience on all devices. If visitors leave your page quickly, it signals to Google that your content isn’t helpful. Make sure poor mobile optimisation doesn't hurt your site!
Set Up Google Analytics and Google Search Console: Setting this up is crucial! You want to be capturing your site’s traffic data.
Assess Your Current Content: Identify what's performing well and what needs improvement.
Maximize Value: Refresh outdated information and repurpose high-performing content into new formats like infographics or videos.
Align with Search Queries: Create content that answers the questions your audience is asking.
Easy Access: Ensure your visitors can find what they're looking for quickly.
Increase Visibility: Sharing your website content on social media can drive traffic and engagement.
Build Relationships: Respond to comments and messages promptly.
Fix Broken Links and Redirects: Broken links can harm user experience and SEO.
Logical Website Structure: A well-organized site helps search engines crawl and index your pages efficiently.
Use Canonical Tags: Prevent Duplicate Content Issues by using Canonical tags to tell search engines which version of a page is the primary one.
In conclusion, SEO is an essential aspect of any coach's online marketing strategy. By understanding the basics of SEO and implementing best practices, coaches can improve their online visibility, attract more clients, and grow their coaching business. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your coaching practice to the next level, investing time and effort into SEO can pay off in the long run.