Practice websites

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.

netizens

:morning:

With a growing number if practice websites this might be a good time and certainly the right forum to share some ideas.

What say you?

To get ther ball rolling, this is a report taken from a local US paper
http://jacksontimes.micromediapubs.com/news/2008/0628/community_news/032.html

toelsayer off to Hollywood

 

I think a practice wesite is a great idea. I'll know "I"ve made it" when I have one. I just don't know that the majority of my patients ( living in a retirees area) are going to use the internet. After all, Im only just getting the hang of it.
Regards Lorraine

 

Is the site mentioned in the article www.footdoctorsnj.com yours? How long have you had it up? How many patients do you estimate you get from it in a month? Have your established patients given you any feedback on the educational materials offered?

 

I think having a website today is essential even if it is nothing more than a one page "online business card". More people are using online yellowpages or other directories instead of opening up a directory. Even if you have a purely geriatric practice it may be your future patinets' children who may search for a provider online. Also many online directories will set up a simple webpage for you at a nominal fee if all you want is an "online business card" as your web page.

 

I am lucky that my husband is a website developer. He set up my website when I started my own practice three years ago and I regularly receive email queries and requests for appointments from all age groups. It is a little patronising to assume that retired people are not computer literate and do not 'google' for a podiatrist in their area.

 

I feel that a practice website is crucial to the growth of any professional practice or business. It may surprise you how many people use Google and local searches to find services and products. We get approximately five to ten new patients monthly from Google alone.

I have also found that web design and search optimization can be very expensive. I have companies calling me several times a week offering me their services and many are prohibitively expensive. The majority of my business is referral so I did not want to break the bank in terms of a website.

I use 1and1.com as a host and website builder and pay $9.95/mo for up to five websites (I have two). With a few hours of using their tools I built the websites and submitted them to Google and other search engines using simple submission for free. I am always at the top position of the local search when a person searches for the keywords embedded in my web site tags.

Here is a neat little piece of information. If you post here on Podiatry-Arena or elsewhere that is linked to Google it automatically increases your visibility and Google standing and raises you up the search ladder. I don't claim to know diddle about website building or search optimization but through 1and1 and for a very minute fee have two decent and functioning websites that attract new patients and where prospective patients can read about my services.

I may not have the fanciest websites on the net but it was inexpensive, simple and effective both financially and professionally to erect websites to attract new business. If you do not do it someone near to you will.

Just my two cents.

P.S. Very impressive website Dr. Shibu.

Regards,

 

Practice websites are only another advertising tool the same as placing an add in a local paper.
The question is which would be more cost effective?

Regards
Joseph

 

You are right in essence, but a website is much more than an advertising tool. My website can display thousands of words, dozens of pictures, all of which I can change at no extra cost, (thanks to the content management system), on a daily basis if I choose. It contains a link to google maps so that patients can find me easily and even get driving instructions. In short, a website informs as well as promotes in a way that no printed advert could ever do.

 

I agree with all that you say, I have a website and one off the problems is the name that you use.
I have had my website name with other names etc attached, I could of course use the clinic name but I thought that it was too long.
One thing that I do is to link the website to other local sites, after all it is local enquires that I want.

Regards
Joseph

 

Hi Diana,

My wife and I are currently setting up a practice website using Adobe Dreamweaver (very steep learning curve!).

Could you please give me a link to your website?

Does your husband use Dreamweaver?

Any tips?

Cheers,:drinks

Brad