Developing An Effective Physical Therapy Web Site

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

---

Three Things You Must Do When Designing and Building Your Small Business Website

If you are going to have a web presence for... Read More

Why Your Site Should be Developed with CSS and Semantic Markup

Why your site should be developed with CSS and semantic... Read More

Double Ad-Trackers Its Not as Crazy as It Sounds Here Are 7 Reasons Why?

A Double Ad Tracker is an Ad-Tracker that points to... Read More

Website Savvy: 10 Key Steps to Turn Your Customers ON!

"How to turn "slightly interested" customers into "I've got to... Read More

3 Tips For Writing Content That Will Make You Sales

Content is king. Without content your website is an empty... Read More

Quality of Your Text Layout and Design

Why is the quality of your text layout and design... Read More

Revising Your Site - What Happened To My Search Engine Placement?

As of September, Smartads went through what so many have... Read More

Business Opportunity for Graphic Designers

As a graphic designer, you are sitting on a gold... Read More

Winning Websites

Customers will form an opinion of your business as soon... Read More

Top Ten Website Design Secrets for Internet Marketing Success

When it comes to marketing your website, you should really... Read More

Text Is King!

Are you building your website? If so, STOP! Take a... Read More

Your Website Visitors - Will They Stay?

I'm sure you've all heard the saying 'Build it and... Read More

How to Build Your Own Website - More Steps

To build a website, there are four methods to choose... Read More

Increase Your Credibility With Web Site Awards

Web Site Awards are given from other sites to reward... Read More

Cheap Web Design

If you think it's simply a case of who will... Read More

Website Design Considerations

Q: Should I build and maintain my business Web site... Read More

8 Tips for Designing a Great Website

Square buttons, round buttons, flashy buttons ? will they match... Read More

Do You Want To Save Time With Your Web Design?

It starts off simply; a few HTML pages, a few... Read More

Want to Increase Your Online Sales? Make Sure That Your Web Site Has a Unique Selling Proposition

If you own a web site or if you are... Read More

The Technology May Change, But Human Nature Remains The Same

Let me repeat that.."The technology may change, but human nature... Read More

Colorblind People, Can They Really Read Your Web Site?

I once created a notepad-like editor. It is possible with... Read More

Online Advertising: 10 Tricky Secrets To Keep Visitors Glued To Your Website And Increase Sales

It is common sense.The more time people spend at your... Read More

Keep Your Navigation Consistent!

One of the single most important aspects of effective navigation... Read More

Drupal Modules

There are plenty of Drupal Modules that you can install... Read More

Marketing Basics for the Webmaster

What is the relationship between Marketing and Web designing? How... Read More

5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Website

When designing your website, remember to avoid useless and confusing... Read More

Web Production And Design Tips

You have identified that to have an internet prescence would... Read More

Website Design: 10 Smart Tips To Improve Your Ad Copy

Your website design may be affecting your sales in ways... Read More

Is a Web Site Builder Right for You?

A web site builder can be a real life saver... Read More

Testament To Testimonials

We have all seen websites showcasing their testimonials either spread... Read More

Do You Make These Common (But Deadly) Website Design Mistakes?

Building a website can be overwhelming, here are some design... Read More

Immutable Laws Of Effective Navigation - Part 1

The first immutable law of effective navigation: It's gotta be... Read More

Content - the Key to Long Term Success

Every day internet marketers are inundated with the latest fad... Read More