Dream Practice Websites

Websites For Acupuncturists: How To Guarantee That Your Acupuncture Website Is Your Main Asset In Building a Thriving Practice

If you're an acupuncturist trying to figure out how to use the internet to build your practice, then you have made it to the right page.  As you'll discover in this article, your acupuncture website is really the most important tool you have to build a thriving practice.  I have practiced acupuncture since 2001.  I built a highly successful practice in an area that is very competitive (Boulder, CO).  I focused primarily on the internet to attract new patients.. and had such astounding results doing this that I wanted to offer the same resources to other acupuncturists, which is largely how Dream Practice Websites was created.

Most acupuncture websites fail because they are aren't getting enough web traffic and they aren't set up to convert visitors into patients.  Most of the template services and generic acupuncture sites I come across are mainly offering online brochures, meaning that the visitor is presented with static information about one's practice, then has to make the decision to either call the practice or leave the acupuncture website.

Most people who are doing online searches for acupuncture aren't ready to pick up the phone and call your acupuncture office right away.  They need more time to feel out the situation and determine if they can trust you and if acupuncture feels like a safe and effective approach for them.  You have probably heard it said in marketing that it takes about 7 contact with a business before the customer is going to be ready to buy.

I have noticed this is especially true for acupuncture, as many people feel quite a bit of reluctance about the needles and the somewhat esoteric nature of this form of health care.  There are a lot of people searching online who know they need help; they just don't know that YOU are the right one to help them yet.  This is why your website has to be set up to stay in touch with these people once they visit your website.  If their only option is to pick up the phone and call right away, you'll lose about 90% of the business you could have had through the internet.

If you look at our portfolio of websites, you'll notice that most of them have what are called 'opt in forms.'  This is where the web visitor can leave their name and email address in exchange for some free information about your services.  For instance, I use the e-book called How to Thrive in the Modern World as a free giveaway on my website.  This e-book educates people, answers their main questions, and inspires them to take action now.  Once I have their email address, I can then stay in touch with them through email marketing and build a relationship with them without having to be physically present.

I have had numerous situations in my practice where the patient came in and said, ' Ya know, I went to your acupuncture website about 9 months ago, but I'm just ready to come in now.  I have been getting your emails and found them really helpful, which is why I decided to call you instead of someone else.'

Lead generation is the missing  link on the vast majority of acupuncture websites.  We want to make sure that your website is set up with this, as it's a critical factor in stabilizing your practice for the long-term.  We even offer a series of  about 2 months worth of autoresponder messages you can use for your practice.   These are the automated follow up email messages your prospective patients will receive after they opt in for your free information.

We totally understand that implementing this kind of system can feel overwhelming, so we have created a turnkey solution to ensure that you are maximizing your website potential.

Acupuncture Websites:  Other Factors For Practice Success

Lead generation is only one component of success for your acupuncture website.  Let's take a look at a few others;

• Search Engine Optimization ~ Your acupuncture practice website has to be set up with the main keywords people are typing into the main search engines to find you.  For instance, if you're an acupuncturist practicing in San Diego, CA. then we would make sure that your website is optimized for keywords like 'San Diego acupuncture' and 'San Diego acupuncturist'.  There are a number of factors involved in SEO.  As part of our web package, we have a checklist of about 10 factors we implement on your website to make sure it is as Google friendly as possible.


• Benefit-oriented Copy ~ Most of the websites for acupuncturists I have reviewed are written in a way that highlights the features of the practice rather than the benefits it offers.  When the website focuses mostly on the practice--- office hours, treatment philosophy, background, etc. -- it is written with the features in mind.  When the website focuses on the prospective patient-- their pains, challenges, and motivations for seeking you out-- it's written with the benefits in mind.  People mostly want to know that you can help them.  They want to feel assured that your treatment is the solution they desire.  I help all of my acupuncturist clients by copy editing the home page of their website so we can make sure that it is effectively selling what you do in a way that makes an emotional connection with the visitor and compels them to take action.


• Social Media Integration ~ If your website visitors are given the option to learn more about you on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube, then this will greatly enhance the trust they are willing to place in you.  Social media warms them up to you more and makes them feel like they know you.  We encourage you to make acupuncture videos for your practice and to have an excellent Facebook fan page and Twitter profile.  We can customize your profiles on these 3 social sites so there is uniform brand recognition from your website to all of these main social sites.


• Use Wordpress ~ Wordpress is a blogging platform that is frankly the best possible solution for acupuncturists.  Wordpress allows you to log in to your website any time and add your own content, blog about your acupuncture practice, and make revisions to existing content.  You want to have the most content-rich website in your local market, as Google will reward websites that share the best information.  Wordpress is the best way to do this.  Almost all of the new sites we are building are set up on Wordpress.

Getting Traffic to Your Acupuncture Website

One of the main mistakes we see acupuncturists making time and again is not taking a proactive role in the marketing of their acupuncture website.  They will often have their website designed, then keep their fingers crossed that it brings new patients in the door.  In this day and age, you'll need to be proactive about generating traffic to your website.  SEO is really the first step in achieving this, as ranking at the top of Google for your main keywords can bring in a steady stream of qualified visitors each and every month on autopilot.

Consistent blogging and content creation is also an important traffic generation strategy.  Creating keyword optimized blog posts on a regular basis will ensure that you are getting your practice featured in front of many of the online searches taking place.

You also want to use social media to gain more exposure and web traffic.  Video marketing on Youtube, along with Facebook and Twitter networking can really help to boost traffic.

Pay per click marketing is also a great strategy to get more acupuncture patients to your practice website.  You can use Google or Facebook PPC to drive targeted traffic.

As part of our web package, we will give you a series of training videos on all facets of marketing your acupuncture practice online.  You'll get a 6 hour blogging course, plus advanced training on PPC and social media marketing.  We want to make sure you are empowered and inspired to continually drive traffic to your practice website, as this will be one of the very best areas of focus to take your practice to the level you desire.

If you'd like a free consult with me, click here now. You can also click here to go to our web package page