Website, worthwhile?

Have a look at the business section and the Therapist's new websites and you'll get an idea of how many have websites!!
They don't cost much to set up and maintain if you do it yourself, so there's not much to lose by having one really. 🙂

I'll go and have a look. Thanks.

In this day and age, websites are essential. However, if they are not properly advertised/optimised then they lose their effect. If you read through the Business and Marketing forum on HP then you will find lots of tips on this.

websites are definately an essential. all of my work has come through the website.

you can get some pretty cheap out there for as little as a few pounds a year!

I have a website, & get alot of trade form it - if you decide to get a website, then advertise on google maps, its free & gets you noticed.

lots of people say they google massage, nottingham & find me.

I get most of my business through my websites, it may have been considered a luxury for self-employed therapists some time ago, but is an essential nowadays. I hardly ever look for information/services anywhere else but the internet, and many of your clients will be the same. Masha

Hi Kevin,
I completely agree with everyones comments, in this day and age everyone looks to the internet to find what they want.
Web sites can be incredibly cheap to rather expensive so shop around and compare what is being offered. Unfortunately as Bannick mentioned you then need to get it marketed and this can be where the real expense comes in.
Once you have your site, look for free advertising there is loads out there, look to exchange links with other companies and submit articles. Dont forget to check out some of the free toolkits that are available for checking key words, this will allow you to choose the key words that will produce the most hits. Finally update your website every day, this means that you can keep it up higher in the rankings. It will take some time to get there doing it yourself but if you need to stick to a budget all it will cost is your time.

Helen xx

I’m afraid that I disagree with the suggestion that websites are essential. I have built up a large client base without ever having a website, and I know of other therapists who have done the same. To give just one example, while respecting other therapists’ anonymity, the sports massage therapist who worked with the dancers on the recent ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ tour of the UK has never had a website. Like me, she has built up her client base entirely through word of mouth.

Alan

The vast majority of our clients come from referalls/word of mouth, and we usually point them in the direction of the website if they want more info on everything we offer, however we are seeing around 8 to 10 new clients each week coming as a direct result of our website/search engines.

Yes, the downside is, it costs us to market the website, we use google adwords, but it is proving to be cost effective.

I think if you have a large enough client base already, then the cost of marketing and running a website not be worth it.

Thanks a lot. I've just ordered a site from healthhost. Quite looking forward to getting it up, Errrr I mean, um, ................................

:rollaugh:

Healthhosts are great! We have 3 with them, and they are easy to use. The after service is great too!

Good luck with it.

I DO not have a website, but i think they work, if you don't have a website you can use the other websites to advertise, that will maybe work for you.

The majority of my work comes through my website. Also good promotion for mothers day, valentines day, easter, birthdays, christmas etc.....

Pretty much all my work comes through my website - and people searching online for what I offer. Can't imagine life without it!
Put yourself in the shoes of your potential clients... how would YOU find the sort of service you offer if you had no word of mouth recommendations?