Holistic health care practitioners, such as massage therapists and acupuncturists, often have some of the worst sites on the net. Truly, the disorganization and lack of any clear marketing message sabotage these professionals by making them look… well, unprofessional!
Painless Web Design
Unlike some of the massage sessions I’ve had, web design can be fairly painless. We’re going to cover what your website should have – and why – so that it’s easy for you to start the conversation with a web designer. So let’s dive in!
Must Have’s
List of Services – For the most part, this is pretty obvious. However, there is a “best way” from a search engine perspective to list your services: have one link to Services which covers each service and a brief description. Then link that description to a page that delves into more information about that service. This way you get the quick navigation with the added search engine juice of specific pages of content.
Testimonials – Whether you rely on Yelp, or have a constant flow of customer emails, be sure to add those great testimonials to your website!
Certifications & Trust Symbols – Are you a member of the AMTA or some other well-known association? Do you have certificates from specialized training? Be sure to place those badges on your site. How long have you been in business? How many happy clients have you served? No one wants to be your first, so if you are well established and have credentials, be sure to let your experience show.
Photos - Nothing says trust and quality faster than photos of your studio/treatment room. Let your prospects know what they can expect and the kind of ambiance you offer.
Content – So many therapist websites have very little content. Not only is this bad for search engines, but it’s hard for your potential clients to get a feel for your personality, the services you offer, and your expertise.
Schedule of Classes – With content management systems you can edit your own class schedules without knowing any code.
Nice To Have
Blog/Newsletter – Blogs and newsletters are fantastic tools to both attract and retain clients. However, both require a commitment from you or a member of your staff to make them happen. If you don’t think you have the time for it, find someone who can help you with copywriting, or contact us about our copywriting services.
Online Appointments – Giving people the ability to book their own appointments online can alleviate the time you or your staff spend scheduling appointments. And your clients will love the convenience!
Ecommere - Having an online shopping cart is a great way for people to schedule and pay for appointments, plus you can have an additional opportunity to sell products.
Don’t Do This
Splash Page – A splash page is an introductory page to the whole site. It’s usually built in Flash and serves no purpose other than to get in the way of repeat visitors and lower your search engine rankings.
Music – A lot of massage or acupuncture sites will queue up the new age music to submerge the visitor in the experience. Again, music gets in the way of your customer’s experience of your website. Instead, wait until you have them trapped on your table before you pull out your favorite Merlin’s Magic Chakra CD.
Ready to get started?
If you’re ready to get a website, contact us or get an estimate. We’re a one-stop shop with services like SEO, copywriting, web design, email marketing and hosting. We’ll make it easy for you to get a professional website, and we’ll make sure it works hard for your business.
About the author: Jeune Ortiz is VP of Marketing and Creative Director at future-ink. With more than 20 years of experience in graphic design and marketing, Jeune brings extensive knowledge and creativity to each website and internet marketing solution to grow your business.
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