Website Tips for Coaches: How to Build a Site That Connects & Converts

As a coach, your website is your digital storefront. It's where potential clients get their first impression of who you are, what you offer, and how you can help them. That’s why getting your website right is crucial to attracting the right clients and building a successful coaching business. In this post, I’m sharing essential website tips for coaches to ensure your site is engaging, user-friendly, and optimized for growth.

1. Know Who You’re Talking to Before You Start Your Website

Before you even begin designing your website, you need to clearly define your target audience. Are you a life coach working with entrepreneurs? Or maybe you focus on wellness and mindset coaching for busy professionals? Understanding your ideal client will shape everything from your messaging to your design choices. When you know who you’re talking to, your website content will resonate better with visitors, making them more likely to connect with your coaching services.

2. Have Professional Photos of Yourself

As a coach, your personal brand is central to your business, and nothing communicates professionalism and trustworthiness like high-quality photos of yourself. Clients want to connect with you on a personal level, so invest in a professional photoshoot that captures your personality and style. These photos can be used across your website—on your home page, about page, and in blog posts—to make your site feel more relatable and welcoming.

3. Choose Stock Images Wisely (and Don’t Steal!)

While your website should feature personal photos, stock images can be useful for supplementing your visuals. Just be sure to choose stock photos that align with your brand and target audience, and avoid using overly generic images that lack authenticity. Most importantly, don’t steal images from the internet—always use stock photos from legitimate sources like Unsplash or Pexels to avoid legal issues and protect your professional reputation.

4. Don’t Use Large Images or Videos That Slow Down Your Website

In today’s fast-paced world, visitors expect websites to load quickly. If your website is bogged down with huge images or videos, it’ll take longer to load, which can lead to higher bounce rates and lost potential clients. Always compress your images and videos to ensure they don’t slow down your site. Tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh can help optimize your media files for faster load times, keeping visitors engaged.

5. People Need to Know What You Do Within Seconds of Entering Your Website

When someone lands on your website, they should know immediately what you offer. Within seconds, it should be crystal clear that you're a coach and what specific services you provide. This means having a clear, bold headline on your homepage, along with a concise explanation of your coaching niche. A simple tagline like “Helping entrepreneurs overcome mindset blocks to achieve success” works wonders in grabbing attention and clarifying your message right away.

6. Optimize for Mobile Use

With over half of internet traffic coming from mobile devices, your website must be mobile-friendly. If visitors can’t easily navigate your site from their phones or tablets, they’re likely to click away. Ensure your website is responsive, meaning it adapts to different screen sizes, and double-check that all features, including your contact forms and service pages, work seamlessly on mobile devices.

7. Don’t Be Too Wordy

While it’s important to explain your services, don’t overwhelm visitors with long blocks of text. Keep your messaging clear and to the point. People visit websites for quick information, so break up your content with bullet points, subheadings, and short paragraphs to make it easier to digest. If potential clients have to wade through too much text, they may leave before learning how you can help them.

8. Cover All Your Bases (Home, About, Services, Contact, Blog)

Your website should include key pages that provide essential information and help visitors move through the decision-making process. At a minimum, you should have the following:

• Home Page: Introduce your coaching services and clearly communicate what you do.

• About Page: Share your personal story, experience, and credentials to build trust and relatability.

• Services Page: Detail the coaching packages, programs, or sessions you offer, including pricing if applicable.

• Contact Page: Make it easy for potential clients to get in touch with you through a simple contact form or email link.

• Blog: A blog allows you to share valuable insights, tips, and advice, positioning you as an expert in your niche while boosting your SEO.

In Conclusion:
A well-crafted website is an invaluable tool for any coach looking to grow their business. By keeping your audience in mind, using professional images, optimizing your site for speed and mobile use, and ensuring clarity in your messaging, you’ll create a site that not only attracts potential clients but converts them into paying customers.

Need help getting your coaching website up and running? Contact me for a free consultation on how I can help you build a Squarespace site that’s professional, optimized, and ready to elevate your business.