How to build a Websta profile as a tutor or teacher in Singapore

What to include on your profile page

Your Websta profile acts as your own teaching website. Unlike a marketplace listing, it stays yours - a place where potential students find your full offering and decide to work with you. For tutors and teachers in Singapore, a complete profile typically includes a profile photo, your teaching background, the subjects or skills you teach, the ages or levels you work with, and how to contact you.

A photo of yourself matters. It does not need to be professional, but it should be clear and recent so people know who they are contacting. Many tutors add a brief description of their teaching approach or background - for example, whether you focus on exam preparation, conversation practice, or foundational skills. Keep this honest and specific to what you actually do.

Include the subjects or areas you teach (English, Mathematics, Mandarin, IB subjects, piano, coding, and so on) and the student levels - primary, secondary, polytechnic, adult, or specific exam boards. If you teach both children and adults, say so. If you have a specialisation like PSLE preparation or conversational French, mention it.

Services and booking setup

On Websta, you set up the services you offer - for example, one-to-one tuition, small group lessons, online tutoring, homework help, or exam coaching. Each service can have its own description and booking method.

You choose whether to use online booking, quote requests, or both. Online booking works well if you have fixed rates and regular availability - customers select a date and time and confirm directly. Quote requests work better if your fees vary by subject, student level, or lesson length, or if you want to discuss each student's needs before confirming. Most tutors in Singapore use quote requests because teaching rarely fits a one-size-all pricing model.

Photos help. Include images of your workspace, whiteboard notes, or teaching materials if relevant. If you teach online, a photo of your setup is useful. Students want to know where and how you work.

Languages for your profile

Singapore is multilingual. English is the main language of business and education, so your profile should be in English. If you teach Mandarin, Malay, or Tamil, or if you expect students from specific communities, consider adding a profile section in those languages as well.

Your services description in each language should be accurate to the same standard as your English text. If you offer tuition in multiple languages, make this clear in each language section - for example, 'I teach English and Mandarin to secondary students' should appear in both English and Mandarin versions so speakers of each language understand your full range.

How students search for tutors in Singapore

On Websta, people search for tutors by subject, location, and student level. Someone looking for PSLE English tuition in the eastern region will search by those criteria and see tutors in that area. They can then view your profile, read your background, and either book directly or send you a quote request.

Searching by town or district is common in Singapore because many students need tutors within a manageable travel distance or want online lessons. If you teach online only, this affects visibility - you should note clearly that you work nationwide or globally. If you work in a specific area like Bukit Timah, Clementi, or Marine Parade, that information helps local searches.

Working as an independent tutor in Singapore

If you work as an independent tutor - not employed by a school or agency - you need to understand your obligations. Singapore's Ministry of Education licenses schools, but individual tutors are not individually licensed. However, you must comply with tax and legal requirements. If you earn income from tutoring, you are likely subject to income tax. Check with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) about your obligations based on your income level and residency status.

You should also check whether you need to register your tutoring as a business. Many independent tutors work as sole traders, but the requirements depend on your circumstances and the scale of your work. The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) provides guidance on when registration is required.

Payment on Websta is handled through Stripe, which deposits payments directly to your bank account. This creates a clear record of income, which is important for tax purposes. You are responsible for keeping records and declaring your income to IRAS.

What to write in your first hour

Start with the essentials. Add your profile photo, a one-sentence description of who you are ('Secondary Mathematics tutor, seven years experience, PSLE and O-level focus'), the subjects or skills you teach, and the student levels you work with. This takes about ten minutes and gives you a working profile.

Next, add one or two services - for example, 'One-to-one tuition' and 'Online lessons'. Write a short description for each: 'I work one-to-one with students preparing for PSLE and O-level examinations in Mathematics' is enough. Do not overthink this.

Then add your location if you teach in person, or note that you teach online. Add a contact method - Websta has a built-in contact form. You do not need to publish your phone number or email in the profile itself unless you want to.

That is a complete, usable profile. You can refine it later with photos, more detailed descriptions, or additional services. Many tutors find that they improve their profiles gradually as they get messages and learn what works.

Photos and visibility

A profile with at least one photo (your face) gets more attention than one without. If you teach in a dedicated space - a home study, tuition centre, or classroom - add a photo of that space. If you teach online, a photo of your desk or workspace is helpful.

You do not need many photos. Three to five are typical for a tutor profile - a photo of yourself, one of your teaching space, and perhaps one of your teaching materials or whiteboard. Keep them recent and clear.