How to set up a Websta profile as a tutor or teacher in Ireland

What your profile page should contain

Your Websta profile acts as your own website. It should include a brief description of who you are, what you teach, and who your students are - whether you work with primary school children, teenagers preparing for exams, adults learning a language, or anyone else. Add a photo of yourself; people searching for a tutor want to see who they are contacting.

List the subjects or skills you teach. If you teach English, maths, Irish, science, languages like Spanish or French, music, exam preparation for the Leaving Certificate or Junior Certificate, or anything else, make each one clear and separate. People search by subject, so being specific helps.

Add a section describing how you work - whether you teach in-person at a location, online via video call, or both. If you teach in multiple towns or counties, mention the areas you cover. If you work only in one place, say so.

Include photos of your teaching space if you teach in-person, or a photo of your setup if you work online. These build confidence. Write a short bio including any relevant qualifications or experience you want to highlight.

Websta lets you offer services with descriptions. Create entries for each type of teaching you do - for example, 'Secondary maths tuition', 'Leaving Certificate English', or 'Conversational French lessons'. Add a description to each one explaining what it covers and who it suits.

• Profile photo of yourself
• Brief description of your teaching and who you work with
• List of subjects or skills you teach
• How you teach - in-person, online, or both - and where
• Photos of your teaching space or setup
• Service entries for each type of tuition you offer
• A contact form so people can message you

Booking and quote requests

Websta offers two ways for students to contact you: online booking for set services, or quote requests for custom arrangements. Many tutors use both.

If you teach in fixed one-hour or half-hour slots at set times each week, set up online booking. A student can book a slot directly and pay by card through Websta; the payment goes to your bank account. This works well if your schedule is regular.

If you prefer to discuss the student's needs first - maybe they need help with a specific topic, are preparing for an exam, or are looking for flexible timing - use quote requests instead. A student submits details of what they need, and you reply with a proposal. You agree terms before any booking happens.

Some tutors do both: offer online booking for standard tuition, and quote requests for exam prep packages or custom arrangements.

Languages on your profile

Publish your profile in English. Ireland is English-speaking; most people searching for tutors will look in English. If you teach Irish, French, Spanish or another language, mention that clearly in your service descriptions and profile text, but write the profile itself in English so it is discoverable.

If you teach languages, write a few words in that language on your profile to show capability, but keep the main text in English.

How people in Ireland search for tutors and teachers

On Websta, people search in the education category by subject and by location. If someone in Cork is looking for 'secondary maths tuition', they search for that subject in Cork and see tutors and teachers nearby. If someone in Dublin needs 'Leaving Certificate English', they search for that.

Students and parents also browse by town or county. If you teach in multiple places, your profile shows up in searches across those areas. If you teach only online, people can still find you but should know you offer remote sessions.

People also post tasks on the Websta marketplace - for example, 'I need help with Leaving Certificate Irish in Galway' - and tutors can make offers. This is another way people find you.

Legal and tax requirements for independent tutors in Ireland

As an independent tutor or teacher, you are self-employed. You must register with Revenue and file tax returns each year. If your income is over a certain threshold, you may need to register for VAT. Check the current thresholds with Revenue or a local accountant, as these can change.

You do not need a specific business licence to tutor in Ireland, but you should be registered as self-employed with Revenue. Keep records of your income and expenses - what you earn from tuition, and what you spend on materials, travel, or other costs.

If you work with children under 18, you may need to carry out a Garda vetting (police background check). This is a requirement in some contexts, particularly if you work through an organisation. If you work independently with students your friends refer to you, check with a local authority or professional body whether vetting is required. Do not assume; ask.

If you offer tuition from a premises you rent or own, check your lease or building regulations to confirm teaching from that location is permitted.

Insurance is sensible. Ask an insurance broker about public liability cover if you teach in-person.

What to write in your first hour

Start with your profile photo and a one-paragraph bio. Write 50 to 100 words about yourself: your name, what you teach, who you teach, and any relevant background. For example: 'I am a qualified secondary teacher with 8 years' experience in maths and physics. I work with students aged 13-18, helping them understand difficult topics and prepare for exams. I teach in-person in Cork and online across Ireland.'

List your subjects or skills in a simple list. Do not overthink this; 'Secondary maths', 'Leaving Certificate English', 'French conversation' are enough.

Write three to four service descriptions. For each one, write a short paragraph explaining what it covers and who it is for. Example: 'One-to-one secondary maths tuition. We work through past papers, focus on weak areas, and build exam technique. Suitable for students aged 13-15.'

Add one sentence about how you work: 'I teach in-person in Cork city or online via video call across Ireland. Sessions are one hour, flexible scheduling.'

Upload a photo of yourself and, if you teach in-person, a photo of your teaching space. If you only have one photo, use your headshot.

Set up either online booking or quote requests. If you have a regular schedule, choose booking. If you prefer to discuss each student first, choose quote requests. You can change this later.

After your first hour

Once your profile is live, refine it over a few days. Read it as if you were a parent looking for a tutor - does it answer your questions? Does it say clearly what you teach, how you work, and where?

Add more detail to your bio if you have time. Include qualifications, experience, or teaching approach if you think it matters to your students.

Upload more photos if you have them. A photo of you in a teaching situation, or of your materials or workspace, helps people trust you.

Consider posting your profile link on community notice boards, in parent groups, or via word of mouth. Websta profiles show up in searches, but telling people about your profile also helps.