Companies around the globe have come to rely on the Internet to grow their business, reduce costs, improve customer satisfaction, attract new clients, and provide new services that were not possible before.
You don’t have to own a huge, high-tech company to benefit from the World Wide Web. Chiropractic practices can derive enormous value from marketing on the web. The internet enables small businesses to take advantage of the same powerful technology that major corporations use.
When it comes to the web, you can market your practice and serve your patients with the same power that the big guys do. Most importantly, you do not need a team of programmers or an unlimited budget.
Why You Need A Site
Your website is your opportunity to reach the community, inform your patients, and improve productivity within your office.
Approximately 166.4 million Americans have Internet access, according to the Nielsen-NetRatings, March 2001. And, at least 55% of internet users rely on the web to get health or medical information, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project: The Online Health Care Revolution, Nov.2000. It’s likely, then, that many of these consumers also use the web to find out more about their local health-care providers.
Your website should be a major component of your strategy to promote your practice to potential new patients, existing patients, other doctors, the community, and more. It serves as your online brochure and a vital business and communications tool. You can use your website to promote health talks, open houses, spinal screenings and other special events.
The Essentials
New patient prospects and business contacts generally want to learn more about the services you offer, the benefits of these treatments, and details about you and your staff. 70% of people who search online for health information say web information influences their decision about how to treat an illness or condition, according to the Nov. 2000 Pew Internet and American Life Project.
The promotional and educational value of your site is extremely important. Your website is the first impression many people will have of you. You should offer detailed information about your practice and educate potential patients (and existing patients) with easy-to-understand explanations of common terms, treatments and conditions. After reviewing your site, visitors should feel more informed about chiropractic and confident in your expertise and concern for their health and well-being.
A 24-Hour Resource
Besides serving as an effective tool to help you recruit new patients, your website can help you build a strong relationship with your existing patients, increasing loyalty and retention. Your site can provide general information around the clock, without requiring the involvement of your busy staff.
93% of those who research health issues online identified the importance of the convenient access to information, according to the Nov. 2000 Pew Internet and American Life Project.
By visiting your website, potential and existing patients can find out more about your practice and about chiropractic, from the privacy of their homes.
