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Adam's Advice: You Have to Be on the Web

In this day and age, technology drives everything we do. It forces us to constantly change and adapt. And while a decade ago most people would not have even thought to look online for a home care agency, today, it may be the first place many people go.

The web is an increasingly used and trusted source for information, and if you don't have a presence there, you're going to miss out. Because the internet brings so many opportunities and challenges, we'll spend a good amount of time in the next few issues discussing strategies for marketing your agency online.

As a first step, just in case you're still a skeptic, let's look at the basic benefits of having a website for your agency:

Benefits to You:

• Provide detailed information to clients and prospects without typing up staff
• Pre-qualify prospects (through "Contact Us" forms that ask specific qualifying questions)
• Update content regularly with minimal cost
• Enhance credibility and image with a professional site
• Capture interest by using multi-media (text, pictures, audio, video, etc.)
• Capture prospects' names, e-mails and other information
• Provide up-to-date, timely information
• Allow for interaction with clients and prospects to get them involved with your agency, offering feedback, and opening lines of communication
• Expand your reach from your surrounding community to the entire world! (reach remote clients and prospects who may be traveling, moving to your area or looking for care for their loved ones)
• Provide 24-hour information and access
• Reduce the cost of new-client acquisition by all of the above

Benefits to Your Clients & Prospects:

• Access information in the comfort of their own home
• Gather information at their own pace without feeling pressured to make a decision
• Access information from remote locations at any time of the day
• Save time, gain convenience

While you shouldn't always do something just because everyone else is doing, this may be one exception. With the accessibility of the internet and the growing number of people accessing the web in their homes, it is almost a given that your competitors have a website. And if you're not up there with them, they are most certainly getting business that could be yours for the taking!

Of course, having a website is only the first step. Just because you have one doesn't mean it's good or that it will bring the results you're looking for. In the coming weeks, we'll discuss keys for an effective website, strategies for collecting e-mail addresses, tips for marketing online and more. Until then!