CONTEST WINNER and Top 5 Website Mistakes! [Classic Beginning Counselor]

A counselor's website can make or break their practice.  A good website attracts clients to the counselor's practice, while a bad website loses or even repels potential clients. Don't be another good counselor with a bad website. Here's your inside scoop on the top 5 counselor website mistakes, and how to avoid them.

Mistake # 5: Forgetting That The Website Is For The Client, Not The Counselor.  
            This is a problem with the focus of the website. When a person is in pain, they aren't interested primarily in hearing about your degrees or how many certifications you have. They just want to know- quickly - how you can help them with their problem. Wouldn't you, if you were in their position? If you can convey to the client right away what changes you can help make in the client's life, you will greatly increase your chances of getting a phone call and eventually securing an appointment.

Mistake #4: Not Including a Blog
            This is a problem of connecting to the client. Before a client is ready to pick up the phone, they want to know who YOU are. There's no better way for a person to get a sense of that than to hear your voice. Write about your techniques, your successes, your philosophy of life - just let them hear YOU. The number-one reason that my clients tell me they chose to call me is that they read and liked my blog.

Mistake #3: Not Linking To A Mailing List.
            This is a question of timing. A person might spend just a minute on your website, and then be gone forever. Many people have to consider visiting a therapist several times before they make the decision to go. But if it in that minute that they are on your website they respond to an inspiring offer to sign up for your email list, you can continue connecting to that client long after that first moment. That way, when they are readyto call someone, you will be the person they think of. (Check out MailChimp, AWeber, or MadMimi for your email marketing needs.)

Mistake #2: Not Having A Personalized Domain Name.           
            This conveys a lack of professionalism. Whether it's the name of your company or your own name, creating a personalized domain name is the easiest way for a client to remember how to find you. It also tells clients that you're serious about your business. The alternative is to include some kind of a tag from your web provider in your domain name, like so: yourname.webprovidersname.com. (Or beginningcounselor.webs.com :D)That's not acceptable for a professional counselor website. With domain names costing less than $10 these days, there's no excuse not to get one for yourself!

And the NUMBER ONE Mistake Counselors Make When Creating Their Own Website: Paying Too Much For A Basic Website.
            This is a huge financial mistake! Money that is wasted on a website cannot be invested back into your business or distributed through more effective forms of marketing. The only exception to this rule is if you want custom design services - then you should hire someone with web design expertise. But for a good, basic, website with a blog you can pay $50 or less to start up and just a few dollars to maintain each month. Anything more is just too much when you're starting out! 

           Want to know how you can learn how to build your own client-attracting website  - without spending a lot of cash? What about: 

• An easy, 8-step formula for creating the perfect beginning counselor website?
• Which 3 things you should pay for on a basic website.
• Which pages are necessary for counselors to have....and which AREN'T. 
• How you can spend $31 (like I did) in start-up fees for your first counselor website. 
• An introduction to the 5 major free website services, as well as their pluses and minuses.
• The truth behind the "Google AdWords Gimmick."
• Plus basic copywriting skills, the rules for using pictures on your website, what you need to know when buying a domain name, and more. 

 

           Any of that sound interesting to you? 

           

Find out more at:

          How To Build A Killer Counselor Website For (Almost) Free!
 
           With this training, you'll find out how even a person without advanced computer skills can easily create a professional-looking website. You could be one of them!

Check it out!

And announcing the winner of a FREE copy of How To Build A Killer Counselor Website For (Almost) Free, including the full audio training and slides....Alicia Pearson! Congratulations, Alicia! Thanks for entering and for being a part of our Beginning Counselor community!