Requirements for websites change practically every week. What was “required” for achieving optimal sales last week has changed by the time you’ve finished your first cup of coffee Monday morning.

Massage therapists and bodyworkers don’t work like that. You don’t work like that.

You should have a website. You need one to be found. You need one to help you communicate with your clients — established and potential.

Many of us get overwhelmed reading website “How To’s.” We get to thinking we have to include every new “must” in our site. What many people end up with are convoluted, distracting blots on the internet. Clients can’t find the information they need because it’s buried under information an “expert” has proclaimed you should have.

Massage therapist and bodyworkers’ practices aren’t like that. Your clients, and your practice, require a different approach.

As I was thinking about this — and you — this week, I decided to collect some sites that were not to “industry standard” but still captured the personality of the therapist.

Dorothy Linzee, LMP
I wanted to email Dorothy’s contact info to a friend. I can never find Dorothy in the phone book. As I was trying to find her information online, I was pleased to discover Dorothy had finally built a site.

Dorothy just makes me smile. Her home page text is her all over. No, it’s not what the professionals tell us to do and say and present. It’s not sales oriented. But it’s so, so honest and soooo Dorothy:

“Welcome to my new website.  I hope to add to the site as time allows.  I have enjoyed having such supportive clientele over the last 11 years.  Word of mouth has been the sole source of new clients.  This website is not intended as an advertisement so much as a system that makes word of mouth easier.  I will greatly enjoy not having to repeat things like directions to my office over hundreds of times.

Also, there has been some trouble with inconsistency in the new phone books in recent years.  Besides that my last name is spelled oddly and people often do not know to look for me under the Message Therapy listings.  People often complain that they had a hard time finding my phone number.  I hope this helps.”

Becky Lundin, LMP
Honestly, this is the first website I’ve found that has made me want to call and book an appointment with a practitioner I’ve never heard of. Embarrassingly, I can’t tell you why exactly.

Perhaps because it’s clear Becky is focused on her clients’ health. She gives me all I need to know from the beginning:

“Are you looking for an accomplished massage therapist in the Lacey/Olympia area? One that can help you to relax, get rid of stress, alleviate chronic pain, and feel rejuvenated? Then you’ve found the right person!

My name is Becky Lundin, and I have been a Licensed Massage Practitioner (LMP) in Washington State since 1994, and a Reiki Master since 1998. Your comfort and wellness is my top priority!”

Then she follows up with scientific support, followed by what information clients will find on her site, followed by more reasons to get a massage. And that list of reasons is guaranteed to provoke a “She’s Talking to ME!” reaction.

Becky tells you there is more to her site if you care to linger and dig deeper but everything you need is right there on the home page.

Joel Reeves (I don’t know what letters go after Joel’s name. He’s in England. Whatever they are, he’s earned them.)
Joel left a message on the Ask Eileen page last August. His questions prompted an article on building a site.

Unfortunately you can’t see Joel’s first attempt any more. I wish you could, because he was where we all have been: He had a lot to say about his work. He was having a hard time getting it all to fit logically on his site.

The latest incarnation of his practice’s site is lovely. Simple. Clear. Complete.

Marketing-wise, I particularly appreciate how the link at the bottom of the page leads you logically to the “next question” and then to the booking/contact page.

By the bye, Joel has indicated he would be interesting in designing for other therapists. If his site turns your dial up to 9, you can email him at joel@thewayplace.co.uk. I have no idea what he’s like to work with. I only know his results for his sites are beautiful and functional.

In Conclusion
I don’t think you need to be perfect. I don’t think you need to do everything the “experts” tell you to do.

I do think you should have a site so, as Dorothy says, you can make “word of mouth easier” and so you don’t have to repeat directions to your office “hundreds of times.”

I think you should have a site so clients can find you.

I think you should have a site so clients know how you will help them before they even meet you.

I think you should have a site so you can help your clients even when you can’t be in the same room with them.

All my best,
Eileen