Writing (or Updating) Your Website with AI
Yes, You Can DIY Your Doula Website!
Every birth worker I know has a complicated relationship with their website.
You know it matters. You know it could be doing more for you. And you know that somewhere between the last time you updated it and right now, something has gotten a little… off. Maybe the words still sound like the version of you who was just starting out. Maybe the photos are from back when your hair was long. Maybe you added three new offers without removing the old ones and now it’s all a bit of a maze.
Or maybe it’s none of the above and you just have a persistent, low-grade sense that your website could be working harder for you than it is.
Here’s what I know after spending the last two years rebuilding my own website and helping other birth workers do the same: a website that works isn’t just well-designed or beautifully written. It’s clear. Clear to the tired, overwhelmed parent who lands on it at 11pm. Clear to Google, which needs to understand what you offer before it will recommend you. And clear to you, so you can actually send people there with confidence.
This post is about how to get there, including how AI tools can make the whole process feel a lot more doable. And at the end, I’ll share a bit about what it looks like to have someone do this work alongside you, if that’s where you’re at
Most Common Doula Website Mistakes
Yes, you can write the words for your own website because you don’t need your website to win a copywriting award. You just need it to clearly communicate who you are, what you do, and how to take the next step so that families feel confident reaching out to you.
But here’s what I see again and again when I audit doula websites (including my own past versions):
1. Vague or poetic headlines
Headers like “Sunrise Package” or “Rediscover Your Power” might feel soulful and resonant to you, but they don’t help a tired, stressed-out new parent understand what they’re getting or why it matters. Use headers to be really obvious and save the soulful language for descriptions.
Ex. “Overnight Postpartum Doula Support in Portland, OR” is instantly more helpful than “Sacred Nights” (no matter how lovely your intention).
2. Wall-of-text overwhelm
All my first drafts are too wordy. It happens every time I write. So I’m not surprised to land on websites that have a lot of text on each page. You have so much to offer, how can you keep it all in? This is the real you!
But as you can imagine, big blocks of text without spacing or clear structure are hard for anyone to read. And who is your dream client? Anxious, overwhelmed, sleep-deprived new parents? These folks just cannot right now (and neither can the AI tools that scan your site for answers).
If you’re feeling called out, it’s time to do some culling. On your main pages, keep paragraphs short, use clear section headings, bullet points, and bolded key lines to guide the eye. Use “Read More” links to share your in-depth thoughts elsewhere.
3. Lack of focus
Too many different instructions on a page (aka: calls-to-action) mean your visitors are getting lost in the weeds.
First-time website visitors who are invited to go ahead and book a free consult or view the newborn minis gallery, or explore mini sessions do none of those things. If you also tell them to download your free guide and join your newsletter all in the same breath, they will get overwhelmed and head for the exit.
Instead, choose one clear next step per page.
That doesn’t mean you can’t offer other options, but structure them with intention. Your homepage might lead to your Services page, which offers different paths based on readiness. But give each page a single job.
One action. One button. Clear direction.
Conversely, leaving out a clear Next Step at the end of a page can leave visitors hanging. Take the lead and invite folks to move from your About page to your Blog or from your Services page to your Contact form.
4. Either too much about you—or not enough
There’s a delicate balance between sharing your story and overwhelming your visitor. Some doulas bury the “how to book me” info under paragraphs about their own birthing experiences or extensive trainings. Others barely include a photo or intro, leaving the site feeling cold or impersonal.
In fact, you shouldn’t need to go into a vulnerability hangover every time you update your About page.
But your future clients do want to know something about you:
What kind of support you’re drawn to
What values guide your work
What makes you easy to talk to
Why you chose this path
These little cues woven through your copy and photos help families feel a sense of resonance. They help people say, “I feel like we’d get along,” or “She reminds me of my sister,” or “This feels safe.”
That’s what builds trust.
Instead of oversharing, aim for recognizability. Ask yourself: Is there one sentence, one image, or one detail on this page that shows a bit of who I am and why this work matters to me?
That’s enough.
5. Inaccessible design
Okay, so the first four website mistakes birth workers make were all about the copy, or the words on the page. This last one is about the design, the visuals, and the layout. Because even the most beautifully written site won’t work for you if people can’t read or navigate it.
Common design issues I see:
Low contrast text (light pink on white, or pale grey on cream)
Cursive fonts that are hard to read
Cluttered pages with too many elements or moving parts
Instead of trying to get the vibe just right, prioritize legibility, simplicity, and clear structure. Use headings, spacing, and contrasting colors with accessibility in mind, and trust in the words to do the rest of the job.
🤖 Bonus: If a human can’t make meaning, neither can Google
Every one of these issues also affects how search engines and AI tools interpret your site, too. Google prefers to recommend websites with super clear headers and content that flows predictably. When the structure is unclear, or your offerings are buried in metaphor, Google won’t recommend you and increasingly, neither will the AI tools parents are using to find support.
Ready to See Your Website Through a Fresh Set of Eyes?
If you’re not sure whether your website is working (or if any of the patterns above felt a little too familiar) don’t worry. You don’t need to tear the whole thing down to make progress. Sometimes the first step is simply noticing how your site reads to someone who’s never met you before.
Here’s a quick way to get that outside perspective using an AI tool:
Copy and paste the main text from your homepage (or your most important service page) into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini and ask:
“Who do you think this business is for? What problem do they solve? What’s missing or unclear?”
You can also ask:
“Does this page make it clear what I do, who I help, and where I work?”
This gives you a glimpse into what a stranger or a search tool might pick up (or miss) when they first land on your page. It’s a great way to check if your words are doing the work you want them to do. It’s a revealing exercise, and often a relieving one too.
Can AI Write Your Website? (Yes, with guardrails)
Yes, AI tools can help you write your doula website (or rewrite the one you already have). But only if you treat them like a drafting partner, not a ghostwriter who replaces you. In fact, if the idea of sitting down to improve your website fills you with big time “ugh, don’t wanna 😩” energy, AI is the co-working buddy who will make this easier for you.
What AI tools can do for you
Give you structure and flow so you don’t overthink what comes next
Help you beat blank-page paralysis with starter language to work from
Simplify or rephrase big chunks into clearer, scannable copy
Let you experiment fast by testing a few headline versions, see how they land, then pick or adapt
Help with SEO scaffolding like keyword ideas or meta descriptions (though you’ll want your own research to get really specific)
But, and this is key, ChatGPT won’t automatically know you, your values, your voice, or your lived experience of birth work. If you just paste your website word requests or prompts without context, every AI tool will generate generic or pastel-sounding copy. That’s why you remain essential in the process.
What AI tools can’t do (without your help)
Sense subtle emotional cues: your instincts about what resonates with your ideal client are irreplaceable
Carry your values, boundaries, or specific framework unless you feed it context
Avoid defaulting to clichés or “safe” language unless you push back
Optimize for your local or niche search terms unless you give it SEO direction
Think of AI as your writing apprentice, not your replacement. You’ve got the voice, the lived experience, the nuance. You are the provider your website visitor will hire. AI just gives you a first draft. You guide it, tweak it, layer in your heart. That’s when the magic happens.
What to Know Before You Start Prompting
Before you open an AI tool and type “rewrite my Homepage,” take 5–10 minutes to name a few key things only you can answer. Those answers will anchor everything the AI produces and help it sound like you.
What you need clarity on
Who you serve (specifically)
Is it first-time parents? Parents frustrated with medical systems? Parents in rural areas? Know your “client avatar.” Briefly describe the exact family you wish would hire you again and again.What makes your work different (your differentiation)
What’s your approach, your lens, your boundary or niche? This is what keeps you from sounding like “just another doula.”Your tone & voice
Warm but direct? Gentle but clear? Your voice is your signature. Decide on 2–3 adjectives (e.g. “supportive, grounded, candid”) and drop them into your prompts.Your most-booked services / priority pages
Which page (or service) needs to shine most? Home, About, Services, Contact? Start there.Your ideal next step (CTA)
Do you want people to book a consult, email you, download a guide? Choose one “north star” action per page.
AI Prompts for Doula Websites (Mini Guide)
Below are prompt templates you can drop into your preferred AI tool after completing the clarity steps above. Use them as springboards and always edit for your own voice and context.
For Headlines & Homepages
“Write a homepage headline (under 10 words) that reassures someone feeling anxious about hiring a doula. The tone is gentle, clear, supportive, and it should communicate safety and approachability.”
“Write 2–3 optional subheadlines to follow that headline, each reinforcing that this is a space where clients will feel heard, seen, and cared for.”
For About Pages
“Here’s a few bullet points about me and why I became a doula: [paste your bullet points]. Now write a short About paragraph (2–3 sentences) that feels warm, real, and confident and avoid clichés about ‘helping mothers’ unless I specify. Use one tiny detail that shows who I am (e.g. love of herbal baths, or quiet evenings with tea).”
For Service Descriptions
“I offer overnight postpartum support in [City / region]. Explain this service in language that feels human and reassuring, not medical or overly detailed. Use bullet points to describe what’s included (e.g. check-ins, newborn soothing, parent rest, etc.). Keep it scannable and clear.”
For Calls-to-Action (CTAs) & Next Steps
“Give me 3 invitation-style CTAs to invite someone to book a free consult. Tone: warm, non-pushy, confident. E.g. ‘Let’s talk through your needs’ or similar phrasing.”
“Write a short closing line for the Services page that gently leads the reader to the Contact page, reminding them they don’t have to do this alone.”
For Page Meta Descriptions and SEO
“Suggest 3 meta descriptions (under 160 characters) for my Homepage that include keywords ‘doula support’ and my location (if I provide it). Keep them friendly and clickable.”
“Rewrite this section heading in my FAQs to be more SEO-friendly but still human: ‘What is postpartum doula support?’ → something like ‘What does a postpartum doula do and how can I find one?’”
⚠️ Tip: After an AI tool generates, always do a “read-it-back-out-loud” test. If you catch a phrase that feels cold, replace or reword it. Your revision is the most important step.
When to Ask for Website Help (And What That Looks Like)
I offer two website design services for birth workers and small businesses, depending on where you’re starting from:
The Website Glow-Up — from $1,000
For birth workers who have an existing site that mostly works, but needs fresh copy, cleaner structure, and a more confident presence. We’ll audit what’s there, refine your core pages, sharpen your messaging, and make sure Google understands what you offer. You stay in the driver’s seat; I help you find the words.
The Full Build or Rebuild — $2,800
For birth workers who are starting from scratch, switching platforms, or whose current site needs more than a refresh — it needs a reimagining. This includes full Squarespace design and build, copy for all core pages, SEO setup, and a walkthrough so you can confidently manage it yourself going forward.
Both services start with clarity: I look at what’s working, where the gaps are, and what your ideal client needs to feel before they reach out. Then we pair your voice and values with strategic, search-friendly copy that sounds like you on your best day, not a marketing robot.
When birth workers go through this process with me, they often unlock real visibility breakthroughs: the site becomes clearer, more findable, and more resonant. The pull toward “I just want to hand this off” often comes from having done the DIY path long enough to see how much momentum a well-crafted site can create and being ready to get there.
If you’re curious about which option is right for you, the best place to start is to submit an inquiry form. We’ll look at where you are, what your site needs, and whether working together makes sense.
Website Words That Work for You
Your website doesn’t have to be polished. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to work, to feel like you, guide people forward, and earn Google’s trust.
If you’ve arrived here wondering whether you should try prompts yourself or whether to bring in help, the answer is: both can be right, depending on where you’re at in your capacity, energy, and how much time you want to invest.
Try the audit prompts first. See what they surface. And if what comes up makes you think “I need someone else’s eyes on this,” that’s a completely reasonable next step.
Submit an inquiry form to talk through your site and find out whether a Glow-Up or Full Build is the right fit. I’d love to help you build something you’re genuinely proud to send people to.
Thank you for being here. If anything in this blog feels like it’s raising questions, loosening stuck thoughts, or making something a little clearer, I’m so honored to help.
About Patricia Grenseman
I’m a postpartum doula and certified sleep consultant turned website designer and AI marketing guide for birth workers. After nearly a decade of supporting families through the tender early weeks of parenthood, I shifted my focus to helping other birth professionals build an online presence that actually reflects the quality of their work.
These days, I spend my time designing and writing websites for doulas and birth workers, running AIME (my low-cost AI marketing membership for birth professionals), and writing about the quieter, more sustainable ways to stay visible online without burning yourself out.
I’m based just outside Seattle, am fluent in Spanish, Dutch, and metric, and yes, I do like the rain.
