Executive Summary
Global Rank
#~10.04M
Monthly Visits
1,900
Avg Duration
0m 0s
Pages/Visit
1.06
Strategic Overview
Direct local links to professional association directories (e.g., BACP), Personal branding and real-world locations.
Limited online reviews limit third-party validation, Small-scale operation; highly dependent on the principal practitioner.
Our Verdict
Upside & Downside Analysis
The Bull Case
2 PointsGenuine, Qualified Practitioner
- Clear real-world identity as Cathy Stones, verified BACP registration.
- Physical business addresses in Lincoln and Louth, supporting legitimacy.
- No fraud, scam, or complaint signals in both mainstream and niche sources.
Professional Infrastructure
- Secure, modern website backed by Wix and Google Cloud.
- Multiple digital contact points (website, Facebook, Instagram); Google Maps listings with correct business details.
- The business accepts online bookings and various payment options, which improves accessibility.
The Bear Case
2 PointsLack of Robust Third-Party Reviews
- No Trustpilot or Google Reviews page with substantial review volume.
- Limited independent social proof, making it difficult to evaluate customer satisfaction and reputation at scale.
- Relies heavily on professional directory listings and the practitioner's word.
Small Scale, Key-Person Risk
- Appears to operate predominantly as a sole trader—business depends entirely on Cathy Stones' availability.
- No sign of staff or succession planning; absence could halt all operations.
- No public reporting of financials or regulatory filings (typical for microbusinesses).
Domain Integrity
Active domain since Sept 2021, hosted with Wix (DNS), SSL valid. No signs of hijacking or blacklisting.
| Registrar | Register.com Inc t/a Network Solutions [Tag = NSI-US] |
|---|---|
| Domain Age | Sep 12, 2021 (4 years old) |
| Security Status |
Unlocked
SSL: R12
|
Reputation
0 Reviews
Sentiment Analysis
No reputation issues identified. The business has BACP directory presence and no evidence of scam, fraud, or impersonation complaints.
Common Themes
Traffic Distribution
| Top Countries | Traffic Share | Trend |
|---|---|---|
|
United States
|
39.00% |
|
|
United Kingdom
|
38.00% |
|
|
Netherlands
|
22.00% |
|
Competition
| Competitor Type | Threat Analysis |
|---|---|
| Local counsellors and therapy practices (Lincolnshire area) | Local market competition for clients, especially in person-centred and family therapy. |
| Online directories and national counselling platforms | Platforms like BACP or Counselling Directory can attract clients directly, bypassing individual practitioner sites. |
| Telehealth and app-based therapy providers | Larger digital health apps (e.g., BetterHelp) may draw away younger, tech-savvy clients. |
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Real, qualified counsellor with BACP registration
- Active in local directories and has physical presence in two locations
- Modern, secure website infrastructure
Weaknesses
- Very small operation; key-person dependent
- No independent review presence on major platforms
- Low online visibility outside professional directories
Opportunities
- Increase local search and Google reviews
- Expand digital marketing or join additional therapy directories
- Offer online/remote sessions to broaden reach
Threats
- New entrants in local counselling or therapy market
- Rise of large-scale telehealth apps attracting local clients
- Risk to reputation if negative reviews emerge with no response
Tech Stack
Web Hosting & CMS
Runs on Wix hosting with Wix DNS. Website is managed through Wix's CMS platform, which is popular for microbusinesses.
Cloud & CDN Infrastructure
Uses Google Cloud for hosting and Fastly as a CDN. Modern, secure, and provides reliable uptime.
Website Security
SSL enabled, HTTPS by default, and HSTS active. The site is not flagged by Google Safe Browsing and has valid certificates.
Digital Contact Points
Integrated Facebook and Instagram links, Google Maps listing, and onsite Wix chat/contact forms.
Key Risks
| Identified Risk | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Key person dependency (solo operator risk) | High | If Cathy Stones is unavailable, all services stop. Mitigate by adding associate practitioners or succession planning. |
| Limited review footprint | Medium | Encourage verified clients to leave reviews on Google, Facebook, and professional directories. |
| Reputation risk from client complaints | High | Maintain active BACP membership and adhere to industry-standard complaints handling and ethical codes. |
| Website/IT downtime | Medium | Wix and Google Cloud provide fallback and support, but consider regular site back-ups and alternate contact channels. |
Contacts
Appendix & Sources
Key Citations
-
Counselling Directory Profile
Lists Cathy Stones and business addresses as a qualified and registered practitioner.
-
BACP Registered Therapist
Verifies practitioner’s credentials and membership in national body.
-
Google Places Listing
Business is listed at two local addresses on Google with a 5-star user rating.
-
Whois Lookup
Domain creation date, expiry, and registrar for cathystonescounselling.co.uk.
-
BuiltWith Technology Stack
Site uses Wix, Google Cloud, modern security, and integrated widgets.
Data Sources Used
Disclaimer
This report is based on available public and third-party data as of Jan 2026. Data accuracy from sources like directory listings, Whois, and review aggregators cannot be independently guaranteed. For critical investment decisions, always conduct direct verification and consult a professional adviser.