In order for a website to do more than just take up cyberspace there are some basic things you need to consider.....

What action do you want those who visit your website to take?

If your answer is, call you for an appointment, give yourself a round of applause.

Now that you know this, you must stick to and make sure that every other element of your website: design, content and navigation are all helping your potential patients/clients to take that action!

Now for those who are not ready to call you for an appointment but still have an interest in your work, you must offer them an way of leaving some bit of themselves behind (their email address!) 

This is very important because it allows you to contact them in the future...very often it takes a number of contacts with you in order for them to take the action of calling you for an appointment. 

In this way your prospective patient/client has a great way to warm up to you and your work slowly!  This can take the form of a weekly ezine/tips list, like the one you are reading right now! Etc.

So here are some of the things to consider as you put your website together - remember you want to make your website sticky - a place where people will visit over and over again!

True website stickiness includes the following qualities:

• Interesting subject matter.
• Subject fills a needed void.
• Subject keeps the reader's interest.
• Gains the confidence of the reader.
• Entertaining.
• Informative.
• Non-threatening.

 So here are some of the ways to do that...

• Targeted to your specific patient population and interactive in some way.
• Must be attractive.
• Must be fast loading.
• Have clearly stated benefits.
• Updated frequently with fresh content.
• It must be interactive: ie: on line assessments etc..
• Free articles.
• Provide either an ezine or weekly tips that people subscribe to for free.
• Video/audio.

If you would like more help in creating your website you can contact www.ssquaredstudio.com 

Members of the Acupreneur receive a 10% discount on these services and if you are interested in a website critique you can check it out at: http://www.theacupreneur.com/products/item19.cfm

Many blessings to your success!

Eric G. Schneider, D. Min.