Many yoga or pilates teachers debate whether they need a website in the early days. Relying instead on word of mouth to bring new customers to your classes. This will always be important, however having a fantastic website can have HUUUUUGE rewards longer term. When you work out how to get your website in a position where it drives new customers your way, represents who you are and what you teach, and becomes a hub that customers can easily navigate… that’s when it really starts to pay off!

But to do this, you need to understand what SEO is and how it works.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is essential for ensuring that your website stands out and attracts potential clients. Whether you're a seasoned yoga teacher or just starting your journey, understanding and implementing effective SEO strategies can significantly enhance your online visibility and help grow your yoga business.

In this blog, I’ll delve into the world of SEO and explore actionable tips and tools to elevate your yoga website's rankings.

Understanding SEO Basics

When I did SEO training with a wonderful expert I know, she gave me this example which I’m going to elaborate on as I think it’s really excellent for anyone new to SEO.

Google is a librarian (I definitely pictured a wonderful Bodlein type library and went off into a little daydream about how beautiful old libraries are…. Anyway not the point!). 

Your customers go to the librarian and ask “do you have a book about beginner yoga classes near me?” 

The librarian has an AMAZING memory and knows every single book they hold… it wants to give you the best book possible, the one that will help you the most. So it scans its memory for all of the books it owns. 

There are thousands. Some mention yoga once or twice…. Don’t mention the location or “for beginners”. The librarian thinks those are a bit duff.

It finds one that does mention all the things you’re looking for but the text is low down in the footer and small… The librarian thinks this is okay…. But not ideal.

Eventually it remembers a great book, the title is Beginner Yoga Classes in Hogsmead (where you live), it’s a well structured site, it loads quickly, it talks ALL OVER the page about the exact thing you’re searching for, and in high priority places not hidden. 

The librarian returns this book triumphantly to you. The number one rank. Huzzah! 

So ultimately, the boring explanation is that SEO is the process of optimising your website to improve its visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). When someone searches for terms related to yoga, such as "beginner yoga classes" or "yoga retreats in [your location]," you want your website to appear prominently in the search results. Achieving higher rankings requires a combination of things such as technical optimisation, quality content creation, and strategic link building. But the good news is, once you understand what you need it can be relatively straightforward in our industry.

Keyword Research: The Foundation of SEO

Keywords are the phrases that users type into search engines when looking for information (Reformer Pilates in Hogsmead, Hot Yoga Near Me etc). Conducting thorough keyword research allows you to identify the terms and phrases relevant to your yoga niche and target audience. Start by brainstorming topics related to yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and wellness or whatever you teach, remember to split it all out eg Pregnancy Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga etc. Then, use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to discover which terms are getting volume. It’s worth nothing in our sector we will unlikely have really high volume keywords as we sell a specific service.

There’s more on this topic on this blog.

On-Page Optimisation: Getting Your Content In Good Shape

Once you've identified your target keywords, it's time to think about how to thread them through your website's content. Incorporate your chosen keywords naturally into your page titles, headings, meta descriptions, and body copy. I want to note… there is a term called keyword stuffing which you absolutely shouldn’t do. This is where you bundle all the words together even though it doesn’t make sense for customers, this can harm your website's credibility and provides a crap experience. Always write in a natural way, with your customer’s in mind. Be simple, straightforward and clear.

Technical SEO: Enhancing Your Website's Performance

Technical SEO is going to sound scary I know but it doesn’t have to be. The main points to think about are ensuring that your website loads quickly, as site speed is a crucial ranking factor. Optimise your images by compressing them and using descriptive filenames and alt text. Additionally, create a sitemap and submit it to Google Search Console engines to facilitate easier navigation and indexing of your site's pages. If this bit is all too much don’t worry, just do what you can.

Mobile-Friendly Design: Catering to On-the-Go Users

You might find that a HUGE percentage of your traffic is now on mobile so don’t build a site that looks totally rubbish on mobile with overlapping elements and tiny text. Google prioritises mobile-friendly websites in its search results, so make sure your website is responsive and easy to use on mobile. Test your site using Google's Mobile-Friendly Test tool to identify any issues and ensure a seamless browsing experience across all devices.

High-Quality Backlinks: Building Authority and Trust

Backlinks, also known as inbound links, are links from other websites that point to your site. They serve as votes of confidence and credibility in the eyes of search engines, helping to boost your website's authority and rankings. Focus on acquiring backlinks from reputable websites and industry influencers within the yoga and wellness community. You can reach out to yoga studios, wellness blogs, and local businesses for collaboration opportunities and guest blogging.

I have a blog on this very topic if you want to read more.

Monitoring and Analytics: Tracking Your Progress

Regularly monitor your website's performance using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console. Track important metrics such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, and click-through rates to gauge the effectiveness of your SEO efforts. Use this data to identify areas for improvement and refine your strategies over time. Additionally, stay updated on industry trends and algorithm changes to adapt your SEO strategy accordingly. Your website is never finished, it’s always a work in progress.

I hope this has helped and as ever get in touch if you want some help, I’m here for you! I have a whole masterclass on this very topic if you want to dive right in, it’s on the 8th May at 12pm and is £25.