Building a Website for Equine Professionals: Why It’s Essential for Growth
Updated: 6 days ago
So, do you have a website yet?
Many equine professionals depend on platforms like Facebook to advertise, but this approach limits growth opportunities and leaves you less discoverable to potential clients. While this can work for established professionals who can rely on word of mouth referrals (don't worry, you'll get there, too), it is a detriment to equine professionals looking to build and grow. A website can elevate your professionalism, expand your reach, and make it easier for customers to find and trust your services. Really, you need a website.
Why Equine Professionals Need a Website
Think about the primary demographics of people looking for your business. The core customer base consists of Millennials with young kids wanting to learn to ride, Boomers with grand kids or riding themselves, and Gen Xers with teenagers looking to advance their riding skills or getting back into it now that their kids are out of the house.
Understanding Your Audience and Their Online Habits
Your audience will want to learn more about you and your program and determine if it is the right fit for them. While they may hear about you via a personal referral, Social Media, or Google Search/Maps, your website is likely where they will start doing their due diligence as a prospective customer.
SEO and Online Visibility Basics for Equine Websites
Google Maps and Google Search are still extremely popular for customers searching for local or specialized riding instructors and trainers. Both of these tools use SEO (Search Engine Optimization) algorithms and crawl websites for relevant information. Having a website to begin with increases your chances of being found - even better if you optimize it for search engines!
No matter which demographic you work with most in your business, having a website helps you look more professional at first glance. In my experience, people generally appreciate professionalism. They are more likely to trust their kids with you, refer you to others, trust you with their horse, and listen to you as an industry professional when you come across as organized, structured, and like you generally have your act together. A program established enough to have a website, even a simple one, will set a more professional tone and help you put your best foot forward with a potential customer before they ever even connect with you or step on your farm.
So, do you have a website yet?
If you said Yes, awesome! Are you maximizing this online real estate via business authentication on Google Maps and leveraging SEO? I can help.
Answer No? Now is the time to create one. Don’t worry, it can be simple - more of a landing page than anything, really. Want help brainstorming the design or figuring out which tool to use? Set up a call with me.
Don’t Aim for Perfection (Yet)
Don't worry if your website isn't perfect right off the bat. You will likely change it quite a bit in the early stages as your business grows and evolves. It's better to have it good enough and remain flexible, making regular small updates. This will keep you from getting bogged down in the details of the first version so your presence is out and findable. Your updates will become fewer and farther between as your business grows and matures. I like simple website creators where I can make changes myself (like Wix) over a fancier or more complex site to start. As I got more established and less changes are necessary on a regular basis I would consider looking for a professional website designer and builder.
A website is essential for equine professionals who want to grow their business, attract customers, and appear professional. Are there any challenges holding you back from creating a website? Set up a call with me for personalized advice to kickstart or optimize your website.
Hugs and Happy Riding,
Kristin
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Learn more about author Kristin Bowers.
Blog posts from Equestripreneur are not meant to replace individual professional advice, which will best inform personal circumstances.
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