How to Grow Your Doula Business Without Spending a Fortune

and the One Investment You Should Make

When I talk to new doulas, two questions come up over and over again:

How do I get doula clients?
How do I promote my doula business without spending a ton of money?

Here’s the good news: you can build a thriving doula business without blowing your budget. In fact, you should be marketing your doula business using strategies that cost next to nothing.

But first, let’s talk about the one expense that’s worth every penny: your website.

Why Your Website Is Your #1 Marketing Tool

Think of your website as an employee who works for you 24/7.

It answers questions, showcases your services, and attracts your dream clients. A good website should pay for itself many times over, bringing in consistent inquiries month after month.

The key is making sure your site has strong SEO (search engine optimization) so that when someone in your area Googles “doula near me,” your website pops up in the top results. That’s when your website goes from being a digital business card to a client-generating machine.

If you don’t have a site yet or yours isn’t performing well, I created Doula Website Templates to make the process simple.

They’re professionally designed, SEO-friendly, and completely customizable - so you can have a beautiful, high-performing doula website without needing to hire (or chase down) a web developer.

Three Free Ways to Market Your Doula Business

Once your website is up and running, here’s how to promote your services without spending extra money:

1. Network in Your Community
Connect with other small-business owners who serve pregnant and postpartum families (like chiropractors, maternity photographers, prenatal yoga instructors, and fellow doulas). These relationships often lead to referrals that can sustain your business for years.

2. Show Up on Social Media
Love it or hate it, social media is a free platform that allows you to educate with your community, share your passion, and connect directly with expecting families. Use it strategically to answer questions, share client wins, and showcase the value of having a doula.

3. Provide Outstanding Service
Happy clients are your best marketing tool. Word-of-mouth referrals from families you’ve supported are powerful, long-lasting, and 100% free.

Want Support While You Grow?

Inside My Doula Village, I work directly with doulas to improve their websites, improve SEO, and create sustainable marketing strategies. Members get access to trainings from industry experts, my personal website and SEO audits, and a community that cheers you on every step of the way.

So before you waste another dollar on random advertising, focus on what really works:

A solid website.
Smart, free marketing strategies.
Consistently showing up in your community and online.

Start with the right foundation, and your doula business will have the clients (and income) you’ve been dreaming of — without draining your bank account.

Want more marketing tips for your doula business?

Take my Doula Business Quiz! Find out what “trimester your doula business is in!