Physical therapists have unique web presence needs. An effective site must:
* Introduce the practitioner, and outline his or her style of treatment;
* Provide straightforward content establishing the practitioner's credibility;
* Review services and common procedures performed by the practitioner;
* Inform the prospective client of the features and value of selecting the practitioner as a service provider;
* Offer immediate contact options, including a web e-mail form;
* Display office locations complete with photos, address, and driving directions.
Style and Navigation
The physical therapist's web site should be clean, professional, and to the point. Avoid loading the site with Flash, Java applets, or other features that go beyond basic programming. Keep the practitioner's target market(s) in mind; potential clients are looking for information, not savvy design.
Of course, this shouldn't take away from the web site's on-screen appeal. Images and text should be easy to review, however this doesn't have to infer plain web design. Let the information stand out; compliment the text with images and basic page graphics.
If a logo, font, or color is already in use on printed marketing materials, incorporate this into the site so that all marketing materials present the practitioner consistently.
Content Elements
Presenting content in a basic, explanatory fashion will ensure the web site appeals to the greatest target market possible. If the site is loaded with concepts or terminology that is beyond traditional understanding, the reader will indirectly lose interest. Again, keep the target market in mind.
If at all possible, be sure to include a photo of the practitioner, as well as a limited biography. Photos of in-office staff are also helpful in developing a relationship between the client-prospect and the practitioner.
Each practitioner has his or her own style of treatment. Highlighting the specific features and/or benefits of the practitioner's services is the most effective way to turn prospects into clients. Increasing the unique value of the practitioner will establish credibility, promote interest, and increase the likelihood of taking a "next action step."
Establishing a next action step is imperative in developing an effective web presence. All areas of the site must lead the prospect to a point of action, whether it be telephone contact, filling out a consultation form, or requesting additional information by mail or e-mail.
Tweaks and Tips
* When developing content, be sure to include plenty of key terms and phrases in the site's general text. Search engines such as Google rely on content text, not meta tags, to determine search placement.
* Include key terms in image description tags and hyperlinks. Describe each image or link using terms and phrases relevant to the image, industry, and practitioner.
* Offer point-to-point driving direction to each office location by linking to a Google or Yahoo! map. This free service is a great way to increase prospect-to-client conversion, as visitors will recall the site provides driving directions.
If you are a practitioner attempting to develop your first web presence, seek the advice and support of a full-service small business web design firm. Professional, affordable web design is available. Creating a "do it yourself" site may appear cost effective, however this can quickly become a complicated and time consuming project. Stay focused in your profession, and recruit the wisdom of a web professional.
Jim Ray is a seasoned web developer and president of Web Presence, a national web design firm serving the small business market sector. To learn more, or for a free quote for your own web site, visit the Web Presence at http://www.web-presence.net
one time home cleaning Highland Park ..One of the biggest problems with Web sites is that... Read More
It's a fact, Page Not Found, known as a 404... Read More
Before you take a road trip it is usually a... Read More
Have you put a lot of effort, time, and money... Read More
So how do you know when your graphic designer costs... Read More
If you own a web site or if you are... Read More
If you have a website, you want your visitors to... Read More
Since you'll spend lots of time and money to create... Read More
There are plenty of web sites out there in which... Read More
I often wonder how serious people are when it comes... Read More
This is a two-part article about creating a web site... Read More
Yes, in a world that is obsessed with makeover madness,... Read More
We can't emphasize enough the importance of including keyword-rich content... Read More
Even after you've managed to bring traffic to your site... Read More
STEP 1:Do your homeworkPlan and think about your content. Think... Read More
Are you thinking that it is about time your small... Read More
Persons engaged in website design, here's a scoop for you!... Read More
1. Loading time:try to be below 20kbless number of imagesspecify... Read More
Navigation must be simple. Since it's the backbone of your... Read More
If you're not getting a lot of traffic to your... Read More
Remember your vision for your company and the brand or... Read More
1. Assemble a web site development plan that is integrated... Read More
Due to the large number of people offering website design... Read More
The problem with designing your site as a graphic, is... Read More
While few companies can boast as we do that our... Read More
licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..Chris, a new consulting client, asked me to help him... Read More
Do you want to use unsafe web colors without offending... Read More
We've all read the countless publications about effective web site... Read More
Are you looking for somebody to build you a website,... Read More
When your company built its website, did you think about... Read More
7. Create high quality content - make clear points with... Read More
Color is one of the most important but least understood... Read More
A long, long time ago? In a galaxy far, far... Read More
In the early years of the internet the actual design... Read More
The importance of choosing your website keywords carefully is very... Read More
A client asked me, at what point do you change... Read More
When designing your website, remember to avoid useless and confusing... Read More
10 Basic Things Your Website Should Have ...__ all short... Read More
So how do you know when your graphic designer costs... Read More
Some wise human once said "Learn from the mistakes of... Read More
CSS or Cascading Style Sheets has opened up tremendous possibilities... Read More
If you are designing a web site for which the... Read More
Almost everything is available on the web? products, services, e-books,... Read More
Usability isn't only for Web design. It's also applicable in... Read More
You're almost set. The content of your website, e-book, or... Read More
We can't emphasize enough the importance of including keyword-rich content... Read More
Last Thursday afternoon I was working on a garage door... Read More
Know what you wantMake sure you know why you... Read More
If you have a web site to which people pay... Read More
1. Repackage your web site content in to different products... Read More
Web Design |