Have you ever searched the name of a professional or company on Google just to learn more about them? Maybe you searched for customer reviews, or perhaps to find a professional website, or just to determine if the company was actually legitimate. I know I have. It just so happens prospective clients do the same and usually through therapist directories. This article will share 7 free therapist directories you’ll want to get listed on!
Why have a virtual presence?
So, what will your prospective clients find if they search you or your private practice online?
According to Google, 53% of consumers research companies online before making purchasing decisions in order to ensure they’re making the best choice. Although, Google’s survey was conducted by surveying product consumers, it’s a good indicator of what service-based consumers online behaviours might be as well.
In today’s society, search engine searches have become the go-to for many clients seeking information regarding therapists and private practice which makes having a professional online presence that much more important.
Reasons why clients search companies online
There’s many reasons why prospective clients search therapists’ and their private practice online: (1) to learn more about therapy services, (2) to determine if a therapist and their private practice are legitimate and in good standing or (3) to ‘research’ a shortlist of therapists before setting up a consultation or initial intake, to name a few.
As a therapist in private practice, it’s important to have a professional online presence so you build trust and credibility with prospective clients, before they reach out to you.
Being found on search engines builds trust and credibility
When prospective clients search you or your private practice online, what they see (or don’t see) in the search results matter.
Prospective clients search you online so they can attain the necessary information to make an informed decision of whether or not you’re the best therapist for them. When no professional online presence exists, you’re unlikely to make the final cut.
If you’re new to private practice, this might be the time you ask, “How can build a professional online presence and quickly?” Simply, create a professional online presence through free or paid business or therapist directories.
Let me explain.
How to build an online presence
When prospective clients’ type keywords into search engines, the search engine scans the world wide web for web pages and will display relevant results.
For example, at the time of writing this article, when I searched my full name in Google, the first result was my professional website, the next four results were my professional therapist directory profiles and social media pages.
If you’ve been a therapist for a while, you may already have an online presence – even if you didn’t know it. Your name or private practice might be referenced in articles online or photos. If you’ve subscribed to paid therapist directories, they’re likely to show in the results. Or maybe, your private practice is a registered business and your business information is listed public directories.
But the question is, does the search results make it easy for prospective clients to find the information they want? And does it make it easy for them to connect with you directly?
If not, you might want to grow your online presence intentionally. You can grow your online presence intentionally by signing up for paid therapist directories or creating a keyword rich web domain and website for your private practice. However, there are several free ways to grow your online presence.
Here are 7 free business and therapist directories you can set up easily:
7 Free Business and Therapist Directories
1. Open Path Psychotherapy Collective Therapist Directory
Open Path is a non-profit organization that provides a free therapist directory for therapists. Open Path aims to provide affordable and accessible to low-income client. Open Path requests that therapists who sign up for their directory provide therapy at a reduced rate to any clients found through their site.
What I love about Open Path is that you can easily turn on and off your profile at any time through your main dashboard. So, if your private practice is full or you’re not providing a sliding scale rates at any given time, you can simply turn your profile off. But if you have space you can turn it back on.
2. Therapy Owl Therapist Directory
Therapy Owl is a free therapist directory in Canada. Therapy Owl provides listings for a variety of professionals including but not limited to mental health professionals, message therapist, speech-language pathologists, and physiotherapists.
3. Google My Business
Google My Business is a free marketing tool for businesses. You might’ve even seen Google My Business pages when you’ve searched for any business on Google. Google My Business results often show up when prospective clients search general terms such as “therapist near me” or “therapist [insert town/city].”
Now it’s important to know that Google My Business and Google ads are different marketing tools. Google My Business is a free marketing tool whereas Google ads have a cost.
4. Online Business Directories
List your private practice on local business directories such as the Yellow Pages or Yelp. At times, prospective clients still search on these directories for services in their area. But even if prospective clients are not searching these directories directly, having your private practice listed on these platforms helps grow your online presence.
5. Professional Association Therapist Listings
From time-to-time professional associations have free member listings for their members. If you’re a member of a professional association, reach out to your professional association to determine if they have such a list that they can add you.
6. Professional or Business Social Media Pages
Social media is often under-utilized by therapists. But when it comes to social media platforms, it’s important to understand the differences social media pages and therapist directories.
Therapist directories are intended to bring clients from point A (the problem they are experiencing) to point B (paying for your therapy services). Whereas, social media pages are intended to share resources and provide entertainment. Social media pages are best used when you’re sharing articles, your website blogs, or providing helpful tips. Although, there’s definitely a time when you can sell your services on social media platforms. The golden rule to social media success is to give more than you take.
7. Guest Blogging
Okay, so this strategy might not be considered a directory per se but guest blogging can be an easy, effective and free way to grow your professional online presence. As a therapist, you have knowledge, skills or expertise in areas that can be super helpful for another agency’s clientele, whether it be a healthcare facility or clinic, non-profit organization or even a specialized blog or magazine such as Psychology Today’s Blog. If you ask, the agency might love to have you as a guest blogger regarding a specific topic and credit you in the blog, especially if you volunteer to write the article for free.
Guest blogging helps build targeted search engine results from other websites than your own. And who knows, the agency might even allow you to backlink to your professional website which can improve your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) or, if appropriate, allow you to share your therapy services in the article. #winwin
Now that you’ve learned 7 free ways to grow your online presence, I encourage you to commit at least one new way to grow your online presence and start today. There’s no time like the present!
Disclaimer
Any links, referrals or promotional codes listed may be affiliate links where Evaspare Inc. may receive a small monetary compensation, at no extra cost you, when you click or use links or promotional codes.
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