Creating a Compelling Headline for Your Private Practice Website

Your home page is the most important page of your website. It is the one that will determine what your potential client or customer does after they arrive (i.e stays at or leaves your website).

Research on web usability shows that you only have a few seconds to catch the attention of your website visitors. One of the most important ways to do this is through your opening headline.

Your headline's main purpose is to attract attention and generate enough interest so that your visitors keep reading. It's a first step in a process where your goal is to eventually convince them to take action on your offer.

Here are a few tips for creating powerful headlines:

  • Let your readers know that your site is for them. People want to know immediately when they arrive at your site if they are going to get what they are looking for. Your headline should give someone indication that they are in the right place.

  • Make sure your headline focuses very specifically on the core problem of your target market or the key benefit that you are offering.

  • Choose interesting, meaningful and/or thought-provoking words. Ideally, your headline should jolt your reader into saying something like, 'Hey this is for me!"

  • Speak to your client's emotions. People typically make purchasing decisions based on their emotions so you want to be sure you illustrate to your potential clients and customers that you understand them and the feelings they are experiencing.

  • Your headline should be clear and to the point. Your reader should understand your message instantly. Do not water down or convolute your message so that the reader has to struggle to find it's meaning. One second of struggle could mean that your visitor is gone to the next site.

    • Writing attention-grabbing headlines can be challenging as there are many components to consider if they are to be successful.

    You might want to do some reading in this area or hire someone to help you create your headline. Your headline can make all the difference in determining whether your website is drawing, as opposed to repelling, potential clients and customers.

    © Juliet Austin, 2005

    Bio of Author

    Juliet Austin is a Marketing Coach, Consultant and Copywriter who assists coaches, therapists, alternative health professionals, and socially responsible businesses in marketing their businesses. She helps her clients overcome resistances to marketing, learn no or low-cost marketing strategies, create compelling promotional materials, and write attention-grabbing website copy.

    Sign-up for Juliet's free, ezine, Enlightened Marketing at: http://www.julietaustin.com or visit one of her marketing blogs: Marketing a Private Practice or Website Design and Promotion

    The author grants permission to reprint this article so long as the copyright and by- line remain intact. Informing her of where the article will be published would also be appreciated.

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    How to Prepare Your Project Before You Order Website Design

    Are you serious about get this website done fast and... Read More

    Web Marketing: Design Mistakes That Drive Customers Away In Droves

    They may look cutting edge, but if you want a... Read More

    Browser Compatibility

    Internet Explorer, created by microsoft has been the most popular... Read More

    Pop-Ups Still Work. At Least For The Time Being

    Do you remember playing with the jack-in-the-box toy as a... Read More

    How to Make the Online Sales Copy for Your Website More Conversational

    It has been said that the best online sales copy... Read More

    Web Design: Should You Hire Someone or Do It Yourself?

    So you need a website. You are not sure if... Read More

    The Importance of Choosing Your Website Keywords Carefully

    The importance of choosing your website keywords carefully is very... Read More

    Great E-Cover Creation in 5 Steps

    There are several graphic software packages available to help you... Read More

    Content is Crucial!

    Content is undoubtedly the most important element of a website.... Read More

    Building An Effective Furniture Sales Web Site

    Web sites that feature products ? especially furniture or other... Read More

    How To Choose A Website Designer

    When you're self-employed, choosing a website designer is a crucial... Read More

    Moving Things Around

    How often, men, have you come home to find the... Read More

    Tips for Getting More Sales From Your Website

    (1) Create a Direct Response Website, with the minimum number... Read More

    Web Design for Ecommerce

    Your website is your tool for showing the online community... Read More

    Basic Web Design Principles

    Home PageHome page should clearly indicate what the site is... Read More

    Keep Your Navigation Consistent!

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

    10 Things All Webmasters Should Know

    Geared Up with a website and lots of energy to... Read More

    How To Write An Effective FAQ Page

    Websites that have multiple pages usually have a Frequently Asked... Read More

    Best Web Design And Free Web Promotion Tips

    This article gives free tips on how to find a... Read More

    How to Create an Enjoyable Web Page Design

    Novice and professional designers alike ? you may probably be... Read More

    How To Get A Pay Raise From Your Web Site

    How many of the visitors to your web site take... Read More

    6 Tips To Improve Your Business Website

    There are six important characteristics that can play a major... Read More

    Every Website is a Human Being?s Attempt at Achieving a Goal or Obtaining Happiness

    Have you ever thought about the real stories behind all... Read More

    Web Design - 7 Key Things to Avoid

    A search for "web design" on Google returns more than... Read More

    Eight Website Pitfalls, and How to Avoid Them

    Clutter: Too much noise, too much text, and too little... Read More

    Choosing Your Web Design

    We would all like to have the best looking website,... Read More

    Website Sales: Discover 10 Mesmerizing Insider?s Tricks To Ignite Your Sales

    Marketing is not an easy skill to acquire.It requires patience... Read More

    Design Matters in our Visual Culture

    FIRST IMPRESSIONS. First impressions often leave lasting impressions. Impressions... Read More

    Why is a Logo so Important to Your Business?

    Well, a logo for your business. Why is it important?... Read More

    Drupal Modules

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

    Facts You Should Know About Web Site Design and Search Engine Optimization

    1. Web site File Structure / File NamingMost search engines... Read More

    6 Reasons Why Using Flash is a BIG Mistake

    Most web designers and web design companies will try to... Read More

    How to save money on a website

    Know what you wantMake sure you know why you... Read More