When I started my Reiki practice in Houston in 2012, two things helped people find me: Google and Yelp.
Yelp was useful. Google was better.
People weren’t necessarily looking for me. They were looking for Reiki. They’d already decided they wanted a session. My job was to make sure they could find Simply Reiki when they went looking.
We thought we could figure out SEO in an afternoon
During the COVID lockdown, we parted ways with a marketer and decided to learn SEO ourselves. We knew our business. We figured we’d give it a couple of hours and get back to work.
Yeah. No.
It felt like trying to read hieroglyphics. A couple of hours turned into almost a week. We kept figuring out just enough to realize what we still didn’t understand.
We learned from people we hired, too. Some were helpful. But knowing how to get a click and understanding why somebody is looking for Reiki are two different skills. The person behind the search might be curious, nervous, or just looking for a quiet hour where nobody needs anything from them. That person is who your website is for.
When a Google Business Profile makes sense
If you see clients in person and meet Google’s eligibility rules, your Google Business Profile gives people a way to find you in Search and Maps. It’s especially worth paying attention to when your practice is ready to see local clients and someone can actually book with you.
Think of it as a signal. Your profile tells people you’re here. Your service page tells them what they’re walking into. If those two tell different stories, the person searching has to figure out which one to believe.
Give people one good service page to land on
Picture somebody in Houston looking for a Reiki session at eleven at night. They find your profile and click through. Your website looks beautiful. They still can’t tell whether they can see you in person or what they’d be booking.
That’s when one clear service page matters more than another page about Reiki in general. It gives that person enough context to decide whether your practice is a fit. A real photo of the room or an honest review can help them picture an appointment they’ve never had before.
What we ran into from Guatemala
We hit a snag trying to update our Houston listing while we were in Guatemala. Some changes can trigger re-verification, and if Google asks for video verification, you may need access to the business location.
It’s much easier to deal with a verification request while you still have access to the place Google needs you to show.
Choose your next step
If you’re still deciding what to offer and where to focus, start with the free guide. If your practice is ready to be found and you want help putting your profile and service page together, the manual walks through the setup.
Search visibility and business results vary. No SEO method guarantees rankings, bookings, or revenue.