What Should a Modern Counselling Services Website Look Like in 2024

As a company with over 10 years of experience in software development for partners, we understand the crucial role digital technology plays in business success. This is true for all industries, including healthcare in general and counselling services in particular.

For companies providing psychological counselling, the website is not only the face of the brand but also a vital tool for attracting and retaining clients. According to Sweor, about 75% of users judge services based on the website, which should be user-friendly, informative, and functional.

Psychological counselling is a unique field where trust and confidence in the team are critical. That’s why in the spring of 2024, Upstream Counselling, which offers counselling services in Kitchener Waterloo and online, approached us. They wanted to improve client interactions, increase interactivity, and showcase their expertise.

We developed the new website for the company within three months and continue to add new features even a couple of months after the launch as we write this article. This example illustrates what a company website offering such services should look like today.

The Website Should Feature Information About the Company's Specialists

The first thing visitors expect to see on a psychological counselling service's website is information about the specialists. Client trust begins with transparency and the ability to learn more about those providing the help.

Upstream Counselling showcases their specialists on a dedicated page with filters by specialization and other criteria.

Each specialist has a profile with a photo, specialization, education and qualifications, work experience, and therapy approaches. Upstream Counselling recorded welcome videos for many specialists. Clients can book appointments with specific specialists.

Detailed information about specialists helps clients feel more confident and make informed choices, which is very important in psychological counselling services.

The Website Should Provide Comprehensive Information About All Services

Clients want to know exactly what services a company offers, so it's essential to provide detailed information about all types of therapy and consultations.

According to the DemandGen Report, 95% of clients prefer to receive content that thoroughly describes services or products before making a decision. Therefore, it's crucial to have a dedicated page with all necessary details for each service.

If users are unsure which service or specialist is right for them, they can get all the details during an initial free consultation or by filling out a contact form.

The Website Should Include an FAQ Section

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are a critical component of any website, especially for a company offering psychological counselling. Upstream Counselling includes an FAQ section on its website, providing answers to the most common client questions.

This section answers questions like:

1. How to book a consultation?
2. What documents are needed before starting therapy?
3. What payment methods are accepted?
4. How long is a session?
5. How to prepare for the first consultation?
6. What confidentiality methods are used to protect client information?

The FAQ section helps clients quickly find answers to basic questions, reducing anxiety and increasing trust in the company. According to our internal research, over 80% of clients prefer companies that provide useful information through FAQ sections.

Additionally, the FAQ section is also featured on the page for each service offered by Upstream Counselling.

The Company Website Should Include a Blog with Helpful Advice

A blog is a powerful tool for attracting traffic to the website and demonstrating the company's expertise. Upstream Counselling maintains a blog where they publish articles on topics of interest to potential clients.

The blog covers, and will continue to cover, topics such as:

1. Tips for managing stress and anxiety – practical recommendations and self-help methods.
2. How to improve family relationships – advice on improving communication and resolving conflicts.
3. Psychological aspects of raising children – articles to help parents cope with parenting challenges.
4. Self-development and personal growth – techniques and exercises for personal development.

The blog not only helps establish the company's position as an expert in psychological counselling but also improves the website's SEO, attracting more visitors through search engines. According to HubSpot, companies that blog receive 55% more visitors to their websites.

The Website Should Include Accessibility Features

Website accessibility is an important aspect often underestimated. The Upstream Counselling website considers the needs of all users, including those with disabilities. Key accessibility elements include:

1. Text descriptions for images – using alternative text (alt text) for all images.
2. Clear and contrasting colours – ensuring text is easily readable for people with visual impairments.
3. Keyboard navigation – enabling the site to be used without a mouse.
4. Texts adapted for screen readers – correct HTML structure.

Ensuring website accessibility shows respect for diverse user groups and expands the company's audience. According to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), over 15% of internet users have some form of disability, making website accessibility a crucial consideration.

Final Thoughts

A modern website for a company offering counselling services must be informative, transparent, and user-friendly for all users. The example of Upstream Counselling illustrates how a well-organized site can become an effective tool for attracting clients and strengthening the company's reputation.

Since launching the new website, Upstream Counselling has seen increased interest in their counselling services in Kitchener Waterloo and online: more calls, contact form submissions, and direct bookings for in-person and online consultations.

Information about specialists, detailed service descriptions, FAQ answers, a helpful blog, and accessibility features all contribute to creating a website that meets the expectations and needs of clients.