As a new doula, you might be wondering if a website is necessary. The short answer, it is not an absolute necessity. However, the long answer, knowing our website tips, it can be very beneficial for some doulas. At the International Doula Institute, we want to help you thrive as a doula. So, here are our website tips for doulas.
Do You Need a Website?
As a new doula, it can be overwhelming to figure out what you need to jump in and thrive. When it comes to a website, do you need one?
Having a website can:
- Be searchable on things like Google, Yahoo, etc.
- Helps families learn more about you
- An easy way to advertise everything you offer
- A space to showcase your expertise, such as with a blog
- Get your name and brand out there
- Be an easy way to network, connect, and share about your business with a quick URL
If you are planning to serve through an agency, you may not need a website. However, if you are planning to serve independently, a website can be an easy place to help others find you and learn more about your services.
You can be a successful doula without an online presence, but having a website can be helpful.
Website Tip – Start Small!
When jumping into any new journey, it is important to not overextend yourself. Certainly, you can dive right in with an expensive, custom website created by a professional. However, that can be a big investment.
It’s okay to start with a basic one-page site with your name or brand name, contact information, training information, and the services you offer. Start small, and then as your services grow, you can invest more and have a bigger website.
Use Basic SEO and a Simple URL
SEO stands for “search engine optimization” which means optimized to show up in Google and other searches. There are certain keywords you want on your page and in URL based on your location, services, name, etc.
Having a simple URL makes it easy to share your website. If you run into someone on the playground and they’re interested in your services, but you don’t have a card, you can simply say, “You can find my info at AshleyDoula dot com!”
Using your name and service as your URL can be an option if it is still available. If you have a unique last name, that can really help!
The other great SEO option is to utilize your region, city, metro, etc., in your URL. This can help if people are searching “Doula in Cleveland” for example. So, if it’s available, you can incorporate your city or region and doula in your URL. You will likely need to get creative to find a URL not taken but it is possible!
On your actual website, be sure to include the cities, towns, region you serve as well as hospital names where you support families. Some people might search for “Doula St. Mary’s Hospital” when trying to find a doula. Not everyone is familiar with the best way to find a doula.
Website Tip – Eventually Add a Blog
Remember, start small! You do not need to overinvest a lot of time and money to get yourself online. However, after a bit of time, it can help to add a blog. A blog can help improve your SEO. It is also a great way to highlight your expertise.
When families are looking for a doula, they might look at several websites. If they stumble upon yours and see you share all about prenatal preparation, birth positions, etc., you might stand out as an expert.
If you do jump into blogging, be sure to use evidence-based information and link sources. Linking sources is another way to improve SEO, but also show potential families you share evidence-based information.
Do you need a website as a doula? Not necessarily. However, it can really help increase your exposure. Remember, start small. Have fun too! Use it as a space for people to get to know you and all that you offer.
Author: Aliza Juliette Bancoff
Aliza Juliette Bancoff is a well-known doula and doula trainer who has been providing doula services to families for over a decade. She is the founder of Main Line Doulas, a doula group providing doula support in the great Philadelphia area for the last decade, the International Doula Institute, which provides online doula training and lactation training and certification programs and the International Breastfeeding Institute which provides lactation training and certification. She is the co-founder of United Birth, a company devoted to increasing access to doulas across the country to make the perinatal time safer both physically and emotionally. “Every birthing person deserves access to quality doula support. And we are working to make that a reality across the country. The work we are doing to get doulas to every birthing person will decrease the black infant and maternal mortality rate significantly by 2030.” Says Bancoff. Aliza is known for her compassionate and empowering approach to doula work, and she has been featured in numerous media outlets, including United Nations Maternal Health Report, Parent Magazine, CafeMom, theBump and many more. Aliza's journey into doula work began when she gave birth to her first child and felt a strong calling...