Although it may feel antithetical to our calling as nature therapy guides,  a calling often informed by a desire to help people unplug from technology and recharge in nature, it really is essential for a nature-connected wellpreneur to have an engaging online presence to invite potential clients and into your wellness practice. This is where search engine optimization (SEO) comes in.

SEO is the process of optimizing your website and content to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for relevant keywords. By optimizing your website for search engines, you can increase your visibility and attract more potential clients to your site.

Prelude to strategic tips: devote a walk or sit-spot to the process of journaling about your story and why you do the nature-connected work you do. Don’t edit as you write, just invite freedom of expression into your writing. When you return home from your walk, take time to notice what words resonate strongly with you. Are there any words that occur more than once? Are you noticing any patterns in the language you use to describe your work?

Okay, now to the nerdy stuff!

1. Keyword research: Start by researching the keywords and phrases that people may use to search for forest bathing or nature therapy. Expand from there and think about how people talk and write about the health benefits of time spent in nature. Incorporate these keywords into your website content, including your page titles, meta descriptions, headers, and body text.
2. Optimize your website structure: Make sure your website is well-structured and easy to navigate. Use clear and descriptive URLs, organize your content into categories and subcategories, and include internal links between related pages. This will not only improve the user experience but also make it easier for search engines to visit, scan and index your site.
3. Content creation: Offer your website visitors the same level of rich, engaging content that you would on a walk or other nature-connected program. Think first and often about content that’s relevant to them. This could include blog posts, articles, videos, and infographics. Use your chosen keywords in your content, but avoid keyword stuffing (using keywords excessively in an attempt to manipulate search engine rankings). Focus on creating content that is meaningful to you and engaging for your readers.
4. Local SEO: If you offer forest bathing services in a specific location, make sure to optimize your website for local SEO. This includes creating a Google My Business listing, including your location in your website content, and getting listed in local directories and review sites.
5. Social media: Use social media to promote your nature-connected services. This helps people find your website. Share your blog posts and other content on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Give TikTok a spin if you feel like it! You don’t have to take on all social media platforms at once, Start where you are active already, or choose one platform to explore and expand. Engage with your followers and participate in relevant online communities to build your online presence.
6. Monitor your progress: Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your website’s performance and monitor your SEO progress. This will help you identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to optimize your website and content.

I know it can feel like a whole lot of screen time, but once you have created the ideal environment for your digital acre to thrive, (by following these handy-dandy SEO tips), you really can improve your online visibility and attract more clients to your heart-centered services. Remember, SEO is an ongoing process, so be sure to water, weed and watch your website’s performance and make adjustments as needed to help the people who need you, find you.