20 responses so far ↓

• 1 sara poldmae // Nov 26, 2008 at 8:17 am

  Websites definitely help to bring patients and to also keep current patients informed. One way I have seen my website work on a consistent basis is when current patients are referring a friend. If they do not have my business card, they will tell their friends to google our clinic. Sure enough, friends google us and voila… Also, there is an option on our website to sign up for our email newsletter which is a great option for people who are just getting their feet wet with alternative medicine.

• 2 Lisa Hanfileti, LAc // Nov 26, 2008 at 8:32 am

  Hi Burton,

  The way I see it, a well-developed website can not only attract LOTS of new patients, and pay for itself over and over again, but it can also be a powerful way to generate revenue that is independent of a practitioner’s services.

  Thanks for providing some great opportunities for acupuncturists to get on the web. The more of us on the web teaching others about the value of Chinese medicine, the better place this world will be!

  Peace,
  Lisa

  P.S. Thanks for the backlink!

• 3 Ayla Yavin // Nov 26, 2008 at 9:28 am

  Hello,

  I agree that a website is a mandatory component of one’s marketing plan. However, in a high density area with many acupuncturists - I am based in NYC - I find that one’s website gets lost even when there is a PPC campaign running. I have to admit I have wondered how people get new patients off the web and often feel like I have failed to “crack the code.” I find that the people who call me having found me through Google or Yahoo, are much more likely to not show for their first appointment or call to ask a million questions and never book. I am still getting almost all my new patients through word of mouth despite spending a fair amount this year on PPC and other marketing. Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated.

  Oh, and by the way, thanks for your book! I read it one afternoon just after I had started my practice. I was feeling discouraged but began implementing your suggestions and the change in my practice was almost immediate.

  Thank you!

• 4 Kenton Sefcik // Nov 26, 2008 at 9:38 am

  Websites will always be a great way of communication. More and more people are spending time on the internet. If I drive past a billboard or something, the first thing I’m looking for is a website because: 1. They’re easy names to remember 2. I can look it up later

  Lots of companies are now allowing their staff free access to the internet to check their e-mail and surf a bit because they recognize that it’s all part of a healthy work environment.

  To this day I still get lots of compliments on my website and I don’t update it at all. It’s just a front-door for my clients to learn more about me and my practice-values.

• 5 Dan Clements // Nov 26, 2008 at 9:57 am

  Great question, Burton. My answer is always, “Of course they are,” but I understand the dilemma: it’s hard to quantify. We think we should have a website, but what’s it really worth? How important is it in real dollars?

  We had this perfect case study fall in our lap a while back - maybe it’d help for anyone sitting on the fence. A new patient arrived in our office, and arrived for a very specific reason: we came up first in Google. That was her only criteria.

  She has since spent thousands at the clinic, and referred several patients, who have referred others. The total value of that one search in Google is now in the many thousands of dollars. Just one little click has paid for everything we’ve ever spent (and likely ever will) on our website forever, and then some. It was a really compelling insight for me on how critical this stuff is.

  We actually scaled back our Yellow Pages ad to a basic phone number this year, and put more effort online. (Didn’t you say something in Never Market Again about more people now choosing the internet over the Yelllow Pages?) I think it’s well worth it!

• 6 Michael Fox // Nov 26, 2008 at 11:00 am

  I started out designing my website with the idea that it was an electronic business card: an elegant 6 or 7 page bit of information about me, my clinic, and my focus. I made sure that it was optimized for my neighborhood and my zip code, and soon after launching it clients began finding me and making appointments. I did NOT try to give surfers an in-depth education on Oriental Medicine. I DID make it inviting to call me. Isn’t that the real purpose of a website?

• 7 Melissa // Nov 26, 2008 at 11:38 am

  I think that many people are surprised if a business doesn’t have a website. I know I am. When I first got my website, I did so only because I had been offered one on trade. I didn’t think it would generate any new patients. Now I get about 30-50% of new patients via my site, and it’s not even a top ranking one for searches. Even patients who’ve been referred to me by a friend will still check out my site to learn more about who I am and what I do. And patients forward my site to their friends, especially if I write an article in my newsletter that they consider relevant. And, I agree, many people never pick up their Yellow Pages book. Plus, I like that I can refer my patients back to my website for information.

• 8 Burton Kent // Nov 26, 2008 at 11:43 am

  Thanks for all your comments!

  @Sara - Good point about the website being an “online brochure” of sorts that your patients can refer people to. It’s just not the same if all they find in google is a name and address.

  @Lisa - Thanks. Agreed - it does pay for itself and then some.

  @Ayla - I really, really glad you commented. Why? When I wrote this, I was wondering most about people in your situation. You’re in a (competitive) position where a website isn’t a clear winner. I’ll email you privately. (P.S. Love the design!)

  @Kenton - That’s what I like about it. It’s set and (mostly) forget.

  @Dan - Great story!

• 9 Jay // Nov 26, 2008 at 12:53 pm

  Thanks Kent,
  I think my website has brought me a lot of new patients. I probably get 4-5 new patients a month from my site.
  After I completed my board exams I decided to learn how to do my own web design. This way I can make any changes when I want without having to pay for it. It has save me a great deal of time and money.
  I am looking at changing my site into a more interactive site that has more info on TCM research, history, and theory. I think people love to learn about TCM. You should think of your site as a hub that people want to return to in order to find more information.

  If you want to learn how to do your own web design I strongly suggest learning Dreamweaver software as well as Illustrator.
  Good Luck!!

• 10 Nicole // Nov 26, 2008 at 6:04 pm

  There is no question that websites are valuable in marketing. Today, most people savvy enough to be thinking about alternative medicine, will also savvy enough to use the internet.
  About a month ago, I put up my website and already have had existing and new patients comment on my site.

• 11 nicola // Nov 26, 2008 at 6:05 pm

  as a new practitioner - graduated 07 - i was concerned about putting so much money into a website - i decided to go for a professionally done site rather than a DIY site. A year later i have a site that i still think it great - i have had so many comments about how good it is , not only that it is, informative but that it makes me, as a therapist, appear far more professional than those who chose not to have one.
  it has worth every pennt that i spent on it, i get on average 2 enquiries a week - obviously not all turn into actual patients - but those that do come have stayed with me.
  As a member of the BAcC - my website is linked to them and many people have commented that they chose me purely because they could ’see’ me and get an idea of what i was like.
  my advise to those still unsure - is can you afford not to!

• 12 Jeremy Rothenberg // Nov 26, 2008 at 9:00 pm

  I’m almost done with acupuncture school - two weeks! My website has been focused on massage therapy. It has undoubtedly brought me clients. I’m looking forward to expanding it and focusing it towards my upcoming acupuncture business.

  Websites are mandatory, in my opinion. Even if they don’t bring you new clients/patients, they allow those you do have to stay connected to you.

  I have lots of ideas for my website as far as my upcoming patient base is concerned and am very excited to utilize it to attract, retain, and give patients an opportunity to spend time reading and thinking about their health instead of whatever else they might be doing online.

  Make a website - and make it great!

• 13 Jeri Petz // Nov 27, 2008 at 1:33 pm

  It took a while for my website to start generating business, but now it’s an important source of clients. I think it’s an important tool that every acupuncturist should have.

  I update my website at least once per month, to provide incentive for people to keep checking back to my website, and as a vehicle to hopefully provide some education to the public.

  I think that it’s helpful to have something that makes your website stand out in people’s minds. In my case, I have the story of one of my dogs, who is being treated successfully with Chinese medicine. Although I’m treating humans and not animals, my dog’s story seems to capture the attention of a lot of people, and brings them to my clinic.

• 14 Robin // Nov 30, 2008 at 8:49 pm

  Well, there’s no polite way to put it. You’re crazy if you don’t have a website. My website has always been a critical part of attracting new patients. It doesn’t matter whether a new patient is referred by word of mouth or google 99% of prospective patients go to my website to find the information they need to know before calling to make an appointment. I have had numerous new patients comment that they chose to come in because they read something on my website that resonated with them. They arrive at my clinic well educated about my practice, my philosophy, my fees and they learn a little about acupuncture too. They know what to expect and have very few questions about me which means we can focus on what matters most — them!

  I’m currently working on blog articles on my website that provide my patients with resources in our local area that are pertinent to them. By promoting those articles I’ll also give my existing patients a reason to come back to my website and continue to educate them on other ways they may benefit from acupuncture. A well educated patient is more likely to call their acupuncturist than their PCP when they’re sick!

  Not only is my website paying for itself it many times over, it functions as a tool for patient education and retention. It automates my marketing efforts by allowing me to write one message that may be viewed by hundreds patients and potential patients. It saves me time by letting my patients find the info they want ahead of time (including downloading new patient forms).

  It definitely pays to have a website and it doesn’t have to fancy or expensive just full of content that is easy to find and useful to your prospective patient.

  ~ Robin

• 15 Uby Munoz // Dec 2, 2008 at 3:33 pm

  I think a web site it is very important these days.
  The internet is used by most people instead of
  the Yellow Pages, most of my new patients come to see me
  because they found me on the internet or by word of mouth.
  Congratulations Burton and thank you for all those pearls of wisdom that you
  are sharing with us. Your book and your web site are great and I have recommended to all my therapist friends (using the web and word of mouth again)

• 16 Emily Franklin // Dec 4, 2008 at 3:15 pm

  I have a website, and it does generate a few patients per month. I have it through AcuWebsites, and it only costs $35 for hosting, so it definitely pays for itself! They have a pretty cool setup - a few design templates ready-made for those who want something quick and easy, and then a do-it-yourself design option for those who want to customize their site more. And they do all of the submitting to search engines for you, getting your website ranked - within a couple of months of getting my website up, my website was coming in the top 10 in Yahoo and Google for “acupuncture santa fe” searches.

• 17 Joachim Fouret // Jan 2, 2009 at 11:56 am

  I am a British trained acupuncturist but practicing in Barcelona. Here in Spain, Acupuncture is not as developed as in the UK, people are not as familiar with this ancient medicine.

  My website is not only a way for patient to find me but also a way for them to make a connection between their condition and the fact that Acupuncture can help them.

  When they google their symptoms, I make sure that they find my website in order for them to realize that Acupuncture is an option as well.

  Thanks for your articles, Burton!

  Joachim Fouret, Acupuncture Barcelona

• 18 Dale Tope // Jan 12, 2009 at 1:30 am

  Practitioners, please keep in mind that in some states, testimonials are illegal. In Texas, you can put your license in jeopardy for publishing testimonials. Also, calling yourself “Doctor”, if you aren’t an MD, DO, DC, etc. There is a fine line, and publishing out-of-state credentials is risky.

• 19 Michael Fox // Jan 12, 2009 at 10:23 am

  In many states, calling yourself a “doctor” without an earned doctorate is a violation. Some states and provinces place additional restrictions on the word “specialist” and its derivatives.

  As far as publishing testimonials in Texas is concerned, the full citation is at http://www.tmb.state.tx.us/rules/docs/CurrentRulesRevised07-03-2007.pdf

  which clarifies this as:
  - Publishing a testimonial that includes false, deceptive, or misleading statements, or fails to include disclaimers or warnings as to the credentials of the person making the testimonial.

  and other things listed at
  http://www.etnainteractive.com/medical-marketing-law/texas.cfm

  All of these things have more to do with a “truth in advertising” thread than an “Are Web Sites Worth It?” thread…nevertheless it’s a good point that in any venue your marketing material should be ethical and conform to all the laws which could affect your license and practice.

  I responded to Dale’s comment because I’m considering holding a dual license in Texas as well as California, since I visit my family in Texas often, and wanted to get more specifics on the issue of “testimonials”. I don’t have any on my current website, and I think I’ll check out California law before I go overboard on it.

  Thanks Dale!

• 20 Burton Kent // Jan 12, 2009 at 10:44 am

  Thanks, Michael and Dale. I did a quick search for chiropractor testimonial texas, expecting to find warnings about using testimonials. Instead, I found tons of chiropractic websites with testimonials.

  Testimonials are illegal in Victora, Australia: http://www.cmrb.vic.gov.au/registration/polguide.html

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