I’ve been in the world of therapy and website design for a while now. That means I’ve had the chance to learn (sometimes the hard way) how to create a website that truly works—not just one that looks pretty but one that attracts the right clients.

However, I wasn’t always so strategic. In fact, the first time I built my therapy website, it was an absolute mess! I had no clue what I was doing, and it showed.

I made plenty of mistakes along the way, but I’m proud to say I’ve learned from them and come back stronger and more knowledgeable.

Do you think hearing about my website failure might help you avoid making the same mistakes?

Let’s give it a try. Grab your favorite pen and notebook, and let’s dive into the first time I failed at building my therapy website—and what I did to turn it around.

The Set-Up: The Year of the Flop 🤦🏽‍♂️

Let me set the scene: It was a few years ago, and I was just starting my private practice. Like many new therapists, I was wearing all the hats—therapist, marketer, admin, and (unfortunately) web designer.

This day was significant because I had finally taken the plunge to create my website. I figured, How hard could it be? Spoiler alert: It was harder than I thought!

At the time, I wasn’t ready for how much thought and strategy goes into building a website because I was so focused on the aesthetics—choosing colors, fonts, and stock photos. Little did I know that my website’s lack of strategy would leave me invisible to my ideal clients.

Because this was one of my first big steps into private practice, I had a lot to prove—to myself and to the world.

Weeeeellllll…….That website was cute….but it didn’t perform. I didn’t show up in search engines, and I wasn’t attracting the clients I wanted to work with.

If you’re struggling to make your website work for you, trust me—you’re not alone. Want to know how to avoid the mistakes I made? Download my free Spark Brand Strategy Mini-Course to get started on the right foot.

3 Ways I Failed at Building My First Therapy Website

When I think back to why my first website didn’t succeed, it’s easy to blame external factors—like not having enough time or money. But the truth is, the failure came down to three things I didn’t consider.

#1: I Didn’t Know My Ideal Client

Growing up, I always heard, “Just be yourself, and everything will work out.” While it is important to be yourself in order to build a business that feels satisfying and authentic, it can’t be your only strategy. I made the mistake of creating a website that reflected what I liked instead of what my ideal client needed.

I didn’t think about who my ideal client was, what they were searching for, or how my website could make them feel seen and understood. As a result, my website didn’t connect with the people I wanted to help.

The Solution:
Now, I start every project with ideal client clarity. I consider who I want to attract, what their pain points are, and how I can speak directly to them through my website. If you’re unsure where to start, my Spark Brand Strategy Mini-Course walks you through the process step by step.

#2: I Lacked a Clear Message

When I first launched my website, it was full of vague statements like “Helping you feel better.” While that’s nice in theory, it didn’t tell potential clients what I actually do or how I could help them specifically.

Without a clear message, visitors left my website confused—and confusion doesn’t convert to bookings.

The Solution:
Now, I use clear, client-centered messaging that tells potential clients exactly who I help, what I help them with, and how I do it. Your website should answer three questions for visitors within seconds:

1. Who do you help?

2. What do you help them with?

3. How can they work with you?

#3: I Overlooked the Importance of SEO

When I built my first website, I assumed people would magically find it. I didn’t know anything about search engine optimization (SEO), so I skipped critical steps like using keywords or optimizing my page titles and meta descriptions.

As a result, my website was practically invisible on Google. No one could find me on Google.

The Solution:
Now, I focus on optimizing my website for SEO. This means using keywords that my ideal clients are searching for, like “anxiety therapist in New Jersey” or “therapy for midlife challenges.” SEO doesn’t have to be complicated, and small changes can make a big difference.

Perseverance Pays Off

I wish I could say I’ve never failed since that first flop, but failure is part of life—and business. What matters is learning from those failures and using them to grow.

Once I stopped winging it and started focusing on strategy, everything changed. My website became a powerful tool for attracting my ideal clients and growing my practice.

Here at Chrystal Renee, I’ve made it my mission to help new therapists avoid the mistakes I made. That’s why I created the Spark Brand Strategy Mini-Course—to give you the tools and guidance you need to create a website that works.

Therapists have said:

• “The Aha is that brand ‘strategy’ this program is something I didn’t know I even needed!”

• “I learned valuable information as a private practice owner that has helped me to understand what makes me as a therapist and my practice unique and how to share that message with potential clients so that it resonates with them.”

If you’re ready to stop winging it and start focusing on strategy, click the link to download the Spark Brand Strategy Mini-Course. Let’s build something amazing together!

Chrystal Renee’