SEO for Life Coaches: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide

Many coaches hear about SEO and immediately think: “That’s not for me. It sounds too technical.” But in reality, SEO is simply about making it easy for the right people to find you on Google.

The beauty of SEO is that it works for solopreneurs and small coaching practices just as much as it does for big brands. The only difference? You don’t need to spend thousands of euros to make it happen.

Step 1: Understand What SEO Really Means

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. At its core, it’s about answering these questions:

What are your potential clients typing into Google?
Does your website or profile clearly show that you can help?
Can Google easily understand and display your information?

If you can answer “yes” to those three, you’re already ahead of most coaches.

For example, if a potential client searches “career coach for burnout Amsterdam,” and your profile says exactly that, you’re more likely to show up than a generic “life coach” page.

Step 2: Find the Right Keywords

Keywords are simply the words and phrases your clients use when searching.

Here’s how to uncover them:

Write down the top three problems you help clients with.
Add your location if you serve people locally.
Check Google’s autocomplete suggestions when you type these phrases.

Suddenly, you’ll have real-world search phrases like “life coach for confidence Brussels” or “wellness coach for stress relief online.”

Want a lightning-fast option? The Beginner’s Guide to SEO Tools for Coaches walks you through how to find keywords without getting lost in paid tools.

Step 3: Build Google-Friendly Profiles

Even if you don’t have a fancy website, you can stand out with structured data. This is where What Is Structured Data and Why Coaches Should Care comes in handy. Structured data helps you show up with star ratings, reviews, and service details that make your profile pop in search results.

If you’re short on time, our How to Get Your Coaching Website to Appear on Google in 5 Minutes tutorial shows you exactly how to do this quickly.

Step 4: Publish Helpful Content

A blog is one of the easiest ways to show Google (and your clients) that you know your stuff.

But you don’t need to publish daily. One article every month or even every two months can make a difference if you’re consistent.

Content ideas include:

Client success stories.
Tips for overcoming common struggles (stress, burnout, career changes).
Explainers like “What to Expect in Your First Coaching Session.”

For more inspiration, check out Local SEO for Coaches Made Simple, one of the most practical pieces from our earlier series.

Step 5: Track and Adjust

SEO isn’t “set it and forget it.” Tools like Google Search Console let you see which keywords bring traffic and which don’t. If something works, double down. If not, try a new angle.

What Is Structured Data and Why Coaches Should Care