Why Simple Practice Websites Are Actually Hurting Your Business

Jan 13

If you’re starting or growing a private practice, your website is one of the most important business decisions you’ll make. It’s how potential clients find you, decide if they trust you, and figure out if you’re the right fit for their child, loved one, or themselves. Your website is doing a lot of heavy lifting behind the scenes, whether you realize it or not.

That’s why I’m going to just come right out and say this: Simple Practice websites hurt your business. They are not built for SLPs, OTs, or PTs.

This isn't because Simple Practice is a bad platform for scheduling, notes, and billing. But because their website tool was built for mental healthcare providers, not SLPs, OTs, or PTs.

After 10 years in business, building websites for businesses like yours, I can 100% say I know what converts, what ranks well on Google, and what is quietly hurting private practices. Simple Practice websites might seem like an easy answer, but the reality is that if someone does find your site on Google, they're more likely to bounce off than contact you.

Let’s talk about why.

Problem #1: Simple Practice Websites Don’t Perform Well on Google

If people can’t find your website, nothing else matters.

Simple Practice websites don’t rank well on Google. In many cases, they barely show up at all unless someone already knows your exact practice name and does a direct search. The platform doesn’t allow for even basic SEO strategy, which makes it hard for search engines to understand what your website is about and who you serve.

For speech and occupational therapy websites, this is a major limitation. Clients and families are actively searching for help online. They’re typing things like “speech therapist near me,” “speech therapy for late talkers,” “voice therapy,” “feeding therapy,” and “speech therapy for adults,” etc. If your website can’t show up in those searches, you’re invisible to people who are ready to book a session with you.

Simple Practice websites were never built with SEO in mind. They function more like a digital placeholder than a true marketing asset. If you have constant referrals, a waitlist, and a steady stream of recruits, then a "placeholder website" might work for you, but if that's not you, you deserve something much more powerful.

Problem #2: Limited Customization Makes Your Website Look Generic

One of the biggest problems with Simple Practice websites is how little you can customize them.

You’re locked into rigid layouts and predefined sections that are content-heavy and not tailored to speech and occupational therapy practices. That makes it very hard for your website to reflect your personality, your approach, or what makes your practice different.

Here’s the reality: most people don’t book the first website they land on. We know the average person looks at 7-10 websites before deciding who to book, and analytics show us more people bounce off Simple Practice websites than contact them.

Speech therapy websites need to stand out in a way that still feels professional and trustworthy. Simple Practice websites don’t give you the design freedom to do that.

Problem #3: Your Services Can Only Be Listed as Disorders

This one does the most damage to conversions (getting clients to contact you).

On Simple Practice websites, the Services section only allows you to select disorder names. That means your website ends up showing a list of clinical labels instead of solutions.

The problem is that most people don’t think in terms of diagnoses when they’re searching for help. Oftentimes, they don'tt even have a diagnosis yet, so this jargon creates confusion and a total disconnect.

Strong speech therapy websites explain services in client-friendly language, focusing on how they can, what therapy looks like, and the benefits of working with you.

Simple Practice websites don’t allow you to do that... at all. And that is costing you the most clients.

What a Good Website Actually Needs to Do

A strong website isn’t about being flashy. It’s about clearly showing that you have the solution to the problems your ideal clients need help with. Strong websites stand out in a crowded marketplace, they are memorable, and they get people to pick up the phone.

A high-performing speech or occupational therapy website needs:

SEO tools that help you rank on Google
Memorable design so your site stands out
Clear messaging that speaks to real problems
Service descriptions written in client-friendly language
Strong calls to action
Space to show your approach, values, and personality
A platform that can grow with your business

This is where Squarespace website templates and custom builds change the game.

So What's The Solution?

Here at Cued Creative, we have been building websites for speech, occupational, and physical therapy private practices for over 10 years, and after building more than 1,000 websites, we know exactly what our clients need and what it takes to stand out so you can attract your ideal clients. That’s why we offer two solutions: Squarespace website templates and full-service website design.

Our full-service website packages go beyond what most website designers offer and include:

Expert design and layout for desktop and mobile
Strategic content writing (yes, we write your content!)
Sourcing high-quality stock images
Custom colors, fonts, and brand elements
Zoom planning and launch meetings
Proven SEO methods to help you rank higher on Google
Google indexing and domain setup
Access to our Resource Library with tutorials for easy site updates
…and more!

If you want a more affordable and hands-on option, our website templates are easy-to-customize Squarespace websites where you can add your logo, fonts, colors, images, and content, or use the designs exactly as they are.

Every template includes:

All core pages and sections you’ll need now and as you grow
Step-by-step video tutorials for setup and customization
Simple domain connection from any host
Access to our private Facebook group for ongoing support
With our Next Level packages, high-value add-ons like the content workbook and coordinating marketing and social media templates

Our website templates save you the stress and time of trying to build a website on your own, and they all use our proven formula so you can feel confident you’re getting a beautiful site that also helps you grow your business. Click here to learn more:
https://www.cuedcreative.com/website-templates

If having our team do the work sounds like what you need, click here to fill out an inquiry form so we can follow up with more details and recommendations:
https://www.cuedcreative.com/website-design/#website-inquiry