Here are six mistakes that we often see on the home page of private practice websites. Read on to learn what not to do on your home page, and then take a peek at your own site for some quick-fixes that will help your site convert.
1) Tell your visitors what you do on your home page
Do not confuse your website visitors. They are on your site because they want to know who you are and if you can help them. Don’t make them work for it.
Many private practice websites have a vague header title so that a visitor has to search the page or flip through the other pages to figure out what you do. That will quickly lose you potential clients.
Home page titles gone wrong
From a life coach’s website:
“We will help you climb the mountaintops.”
Who does this website cater to? What are their services? Is this a mountain climbing operation? Why do I want to climb a mountain? What’s at the top?
A better option: Therapy for couples who want to reconnect in Atlanta, Georgia
From a therapist’s website:
“You can heal your scars.”
Is this a dermatologist’s office? What scars? How will you heal them?
A better option: Helping adults heal trauma with EMDR
You only have a few seconds to keep the attention of your visitors, so pretend that you are talking to a fifth grader (who is absorbed in Roblox and barely listening). Let a client know straightaway who you help and what they will achieve.
2) Tell your visitors what to do next from your home page
Website visitors don’t want to guess what to do next. Make it easy for them with one single clear call-to-action on your home page.
It’s fine to have multiple links on your website directing visitors to explore other pages of your site. However, there should be only one main call-to-action on your homepage.
Consider what you would like that to be. Some ideas:
- Schedule an appointment now
- Start a project
- Schedule your free consultation
- Sign up now
- Subscribe
- Complete this contact form
3) Skip the home page slideshows
Slideshows (or sliders) are notoriously bad for SEO and are frustrating for your website visitors. As cool as you think they look (or maybe you had a hard time deciding which photo to have at the top of your site), leave them off.
Visitors see your image then start to scroll down the page, only to notice the image is now changing. Maybe there is even text on top of the images that is changing too. Now the user has to sit there and wait to see if those sliders offer information they need to know. (Hint – they won’t wait and will likely hop off.)
Slideshows also tell Google and other search engines that you are using flash, which means you are hindering your link value.
4) Make it easy for a visitor to contact you
Don’t hide your contact information. Make it as easy as possible for someone to land on your site and immediately find your contact information.
Include your contact information right at the top of your website in your navigation menu, and make it a bright and different color than anything else to help it stand out.
Include your contact information in your footer, as well, in the same bright color.
You will also want to have a contact page that is straightforward. Include your contact information, a contact form for those who prefer not to leave your site to reach out, and a map of where you are located. That’s it – simple and straightforward.
5) Information overload
Many private practice websites try to cram way too much information on the home page. This is not a free-for-all where you need to let your visitors know everything about your services, pricing, bio, and how the plane is made.
Think of your homepage as being like an airline attendant. They are merely pointing to where you can find the exits, instruction manual, and life rafts (i.e. a measly cushion) in case they are of interest should things get, ahem, bumpy. They aren’t making you try on the oxygen masks or have a turn on the slide.
Similarly, your home page should merely point out what else is on deck throughout the site in case they want to check it out. Over here is where you can learn more about me, on this page you’ll find out more about my services and, in case you have any questions, you can pop right over to this FAQ page.
Just like those taxiing down the runway, remember that people have short attention spans when it comes to needing help. So keep it easy, keep it simple.
6) Not enough information on your home page
Other home pages have the opposite pages of not having enough information on their home page. Give your visitors something to chew on! Don’t make them flip through the site looking for more.
A home page should have a minimum of 500 words whereas your service pages should each have 900-1500 words.
There need to be enough words on your page to connect, entice, inspire, and educate.
Is your website HELPING your practice?
Growing Your Private Practice Reach
We hope today’s post showed you how to improve the home page of your private practice website. If you want a beautiful website that converts, gets you noticed, and makes your ideal clients choose you over your competitors, contact us. I have helped hundreds of private practices just like yours nail their branding and marketing, book more clients, and make a difference.
Let’s grow your practice and get you noticed.
