Introduction
Hello, this is Hidefumi Otsuka, offering Rolfing sessions and brain science-based courses on nutrition, sleep, and mindfulness in Shibuya, Tokyo.
Today, I would like to share the news that we have updated the English version of our Rolfing website.
Launch of the English Rolfing Website (July 2019)
At the time, our target audience consisted mainly of people in their 30s who incorporated bodywork practices such as yoga and Pilates into their daily routines to cultivate greater body awareness.
Through Rolfing, we aimed to help them expand their inner world at this pivotal stage of life, believing that experiences felt in the body are easier to articulate and share with others.
In December 2015, we launched the Rolfing website using a responsive design that automatically adapts to both PC and smartphone screens.
We secured an original domain (zero.hidefumiotsuka.com, via Name.com) and set up a rental server (currently X-server).
Then, in July 2019, the English version of the Rolfing website was completed.
Evolution of the Japanese Website: Four Major Renewals
The Japanese website underwent four renewals to adapt to the times: in June 2018, February 2021, June 2024, and July 2024.
- June 2018:
We revamped the top page based on insights from TV interviews and Google Analytics.
We reduced the number of displayed items and shifted to a more client-centered writing style, focusing on simplicity and empathy. - February 2021:
With the launch of a new website, MIND AND BODYWORK LAB, we streamlined the Rolfing website.
We changed the top page photo, updated the logo, and switched the theme color from purple to green.
A news section was also added to the top page. - Late 2022:
We noticed that our site ranked lower on Google search results for “Rolfing.”
This was because all Rolfing-related blog posts had been moved to the MIND AND BODYWORK LAB website, causing the Rolfing content to disappear from the original site.In response, we implemented three major actions:- Reposting Rolfing-related blog articles back to the Rolfing homepage.
- Registering with Google Business to improve search rankings for “Rolfing.”
- Increasing the website’s loading speed.
- June 2024:
We rebuilt the Rolfing website using a new WordPress template (Snow Monkey), improving the site speed as planned. - July 2024:
We changed the domain from zero.hidefumiotsuka.com to rolfing-zero.hidefumiotsuka.com.
As a result, the site ranked higher in Google searches for “Rolfing.”
Although the Japanese website had been renewed four times, the English version remained unchanged since July 2019.
Thus, we decided to update the English site by February 2025.
Renewal of the English Website: Aiming for Better Search Engine Ranking
Several factors motivated the renewal of the English version:
- The launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI in November 2022 significantly improved the quality of Japanese-to-English translations.
- WordPress plugins became available that allowed for seamless language switching between Japanese and English.
With a more robust translation environment, updating the English site offered several advantages:
- Creating a unified website for both Japanese and English.
- Improving searchability in both languages on Google, Bing, and other search engines.
- Streamlining website maintenance by managing only one unified site.
We began the renewal work around October 2024.
However, we faced challenges, such as font rendering issues in English and problems linking pages correctly.
Thanks to the support of Mr. Kirigishi, the renewed English website was completed in February 2025.
If you are interested, please feel free to check out the new English version!
Conclusion
In this post, I shared the process and purpose behind the renewal of the English version of our website.