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

Profit By Outsourcing, The Web Design India Company Sought to Sculpt The ... DigitalJournal.com (press release) The Web Design India company is also incorporating an authenticated “Wiki” on the lines of online free encyclopedia, the Wikipedia for user to post articles, have access to relevant information and keep themselves posted with the latest about the ... and more »

Indiana Web Design Company Radically Changes Approach to Web Development PR Web (press release) Effect Web Agency, an Indiana web design company, redefines their entire develop process to focus on achieving sales results for clients. Effect Web Agency says they know why websites do not work for many businesses. Steve Schmidt, President and Web ... and more »

DC Web Design Firm Blue Water Media Launches a New Website for the Public ... PR Web (press release) A Leader in Creative Web Design, Blue Water Media Assists the Public Media Business Association in Their Mission to Establish a Comprehensive Digital Resource for the New PMBA and its Members. The Public Broadcasting Management Association underwent a ...

New Digital Multi Media Program Coming to Brighton High School Patch.com By Nicole Krawcke Brighton High School Sophomore Evan Palmer works on an assignment during the first week in Web Design. Palmer said he took the class to learn how to make his own website. Brighton High School is getting a new career technical ...

HigherVisibility Named Eleventh Best Web Design Company by topseos.com for ... Press Media Wire The independent authority on Search vendors, topseos.com, has named HigherVisibility the eleventh best web design company in the online marketing industry for the month of February 2012. Their position in the rankings of top web design companies is ... and more »

EQuicknews

Web Design Tips EQuicknews Launching а website іs bоth exciting аnd potentially rewarding. A wеll planned site can have а positive effect оn уour business, wіth online sales bucking thе trend in an othеrwisе downbeat economy. Creating a website can аlѕо bе a daunting task, ... and more »

Industry Today (press release)

Calgary Web Design Firm Offers Exclusive Content Management System Industry Today (press release) Understanding the increasing demand for this system in today's business world iDesignit.ca a Calgary Web Design Company, is offering innovative solutions to small businesses in Calgary, Alberta and surrounding areas. iDesignit.ca specializes in ...

LeanPort Software Named Second Best Android Development Company by ... Press Media Wire The independent authority on web design and development, bestwebdesignagencies.com, has named LeanPort Software the second best Android development company for the month of February 2012. The list of the best Android development companies contains ... and more »

PR Web (press release)

Algonquin Studios Shares Thought Leadership Reports on Web Design, SEO ... PR Web (press release) These are people who have started successful businesses, built enterprise-level software systems, and work hard to actively keep abreast of changes and advancements in technology, software development, web design, and online marketing,” says ... and more »

Web development company in Indiana wants to increase businesses' sales The Creative Department Many small businesses struggle with search engine optimization and making their websites easily navigated, and an Elkhart, Indiana, web design company wants to help them. In a recent statement, Effect Web Agency outlined some of the main problems that ...