SEO — search engine optimisation — is simply the practice of making your website more visible in Google search results. When someone searches for "doula near me" or "birth doula in Manchester", SEO determines whether your website appears on the first page or gets buried on page ten.

The good news is that SEO for doulas does not require technical expertise. Most of it comes down to creating helpful content and making sure the basics are in place. Here is what matters most.

Write for the Questions Families Actually Ask

The single most effective SEO strategy is to create content that answers the questions your potential clients are typing into Google. Think about what expectant parents search for: "what does a doula do", "how much does a doula cost", "doula vs midwife", "benefits of having a doula". If your website has pages or blog posts that thoughtfully answer these questions, Google will show your site to people searching for them.

Claim Your Local Area

Most doulas serve a specific geographic area. Make sure your website mentions your location naturally throughout your content. Your homepage, about page, and services page should all reference where you are based and the areas you serve. For example, "I am a birth doula based in South London, supporting families across Brixton, Dulwich, Peckham, and the surrounding areas."

Also set up a Google Business Profile if you have not already. This is free and helps you appear in Google Maps results when people search for doulas in your area.

Page Titles and Descriptions Matter

Every page on your website has a title tag and meta description that appear in Google search results. These should be clear, descriptive, and include relevant keywords. For your homepage, something like "Birth Doula in Bristol — Supporting Families Through Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond" is much better than just "Home" or "Welcome to My Website".

Speed Matters More Than You Think

Google uses page loading speed as a ranking factor. Slow websites get penalised in search results, and visitors are more likely to leave a site that takes more than a few seconds to load. This is one reason we build doula websites with Next.js and static generation — they load in under a second, which gives you a genuine advantage over competitors using slower platforms like WordPress or Squarespace.

Blog Regularly

A blog is your most powerful SEO tool. Each blog post is a new opportunity to rank for a different search query. Write about topics your potential clients are searching for — birth preparation tips, what to pack in a hospital bag, the benefits of skin-to-skin contact, or how to create a birth plan. Over time, these posts build up a library of content that drives consistent traffic to your website.

Start With These Simple Steps

You do not need to become an SEO expert overnight. Start with these basics: make sure every page has a clear, descriptive title; mention your location on your key pages; write one blog post a month answering a question your clients frequently ask; and ensure your website loads quickly on mobile devices. These simple steps will put you ahead of most doula websites out there.