How accurate is this website grader?

This checklist reflects common best practices observed across high-converting therapy websites. While every practice is unique, these items consistently correlate with better client acquisition. Think of it as a starting point, not a definitive audit.

Do I need to check every single box?

No. Aim for the critical and high-priority items first — those have the biggest impact. Some items (like testimonials or exact response times) may not apply to every practice. A score above 75% generally indicates a well-optimized site.

How is my score calculated?

Each checked item earns points within its category. Categories are weighted by their impact on client acquisition: Trust (25%), Clarity (20%), SEO (20%), Conversion (20%), and Accessibility (15%). Your total score maps to a letter grade.

Should I focus on SEO or conversion first?

If you're getting traffic but no inquiries, focus on conversion. If you're not getting traffic, focus on SEO. Most therapists benefit from improving trust signals first — they affect both SEO and conversion.

Is this a replacement for a professional website audit?

No. This is a self-assessment that helps you identify obvious gaps. A professional audit would include technical analysis, competitor research, and custom recommendations. This tool helps you prioritize what to fix first.

Website Optimization

Grade your therapy website in 5 minutes

Check off what your site has, get a score + prioritized fixes

3-5 min 35 items across 5 categories

Start the Checklist

Is your therapy website working for you?

Most therapists know their website matters, but few have a clear picture of what's actually working and what's quietly costing them clients.

This checklist grades your website across 5 critical categories — trust signals, clarity, SEO fundamentals, conversion elements, and accessibility. Each item is something prospective clients notice (consciously or not) when deciding whether to reach out.

How it works: Check off what your website currently has. You'll get an overall score, category breakdowns, and a prioritized list of the most impactful fixes to make first.

Website Checklist Grader

Check off what your website currently has, then click "Grade My Website" to see your score.

0 of 33 items checked0%

Professional headshot or photo of youCritical

Credentials and license number displayedCritical

Specialties or areas of focus listedHigh

Therapeutic approach or modalities describedMedium

Client testimonials or reviews visibleHigh

Insurance or payment information listedHigh

Clear headline explaining who you helpCritical

Services page with individual service descriptionsHigh

What to expect / getting started sectionHigh

About page with personal/professional backgroundMedium

Location and telehealth availability clearHigh

Session rates or fee range visibleMedium

Simple, intuitive navigation (5-7 items max)Medium

Unique title tags on each pageCritical

Meta descriptions written for each pageHigh

Proper heading structure (H1, H2, H3)Medium

City/location mentioned on key pagesHigh

Google Business Profile claimed and completeCritical

Website is mobile-responsiveCritical

Pages load in under 3 secondsMedium

Contact CTA visible without scrollingCritical

Multiple contact options (phone, form, email)High

Online scheduling or consultation bookingHigh

Contact form is short (under 6 fields)Medium

Phone number is clickable on mobileMedium

Expected response time mentionedMedium

Clear intake or onboarding process describedMedium

Images have alt textHigh

Text has sufficient color contrastHigh

Body text is at least 16pxMedium

Language is inclusive and jargon-freeMedium

Site is navigable by keyboardMedium

Check off what your website currently has, then click above.

How the grading works

Your website is scored across five categories, each weighted by its impact on whether a prospective client contacts you:

1. Trust signals (25%)
Credentials, photos, testimonials, and compliance elements that help visitors feel safe. Therapists are asking clients to be vulnerable — your website needs to earn that trust before the first session.

2. Clarity (20%)
Can a visitor understand who you help, what you offer, and how to get started within 10 seconds? Unclear websites lose visitors before they scroll.

3. SEO fundamentals (20%)
Basic search engine optimization that determines whether potential clients can find you. This isn't about gaming Google — it's about making sure your ideal clients can discover you when they search.

4. Conversion elements (20%)
Calls-to-action, contact forms, scheduling options, and intake flows. A beautiful website without clear next steps is a brochure, not a client acquisition tool.

5. Accessibility (15%)
Alt text, contrast, mobile responsiveness, and inclusive language. These aren't just nice-to-haves — they affect both user experience and search rankings.

Each checked item earns points based on its category weight. Your total score maps to a letter grade with specific recommendations.

Resources

Google Search Central - SEO Starter Guide

Google's official guide to search engine optimization fundamentals.

WebAIM - Web Accessibility

Resources for evaluating and improving web accessibility.

Nielsen Norman Group - UX Research

Evidence-based user experience research and guidelines.

APA Practice Organization

Practice management resources from the American Psychological Association.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the website checklist grader.

Get Website Optimization Tips

Practical advice on improving your therapy practice website — delivered to your inbox.