Massage Portland Oregon - Massage therapy and bodywork
Hamid LMT
Gresham & Portland, Oregon massage therapist
Massage Location
& Contact Info
All articles by Hamid Shibata Bennett, LMT, licensed massage therapist in Portland, Oregon.
Hamid Shibata Bennett, LMT
Licensed massage therapist
in Gresham & Portland, Oregon
ABMP ~ OR Lic. #301
2915 NE Broadway, Suite C
Portland, Oregon 97232
1450 NW 5th CT
Gresham, Oregon 97030
503-975-1259
If the spiritual quest is the quest for truth, and it is, the best place to begin this search is with ourselves.
-Lama Surya Das
Internet marketing for massage therapists on a budget, volume 2 (11/17/04)
by Hamid Shibata Bennett, LMT
I’m ready to build a website... what do I put on it?
In our previous article we explored some inexpensive options for building a website. Now, we’ll assume you have all the equipment and software (or know someone who does!), an internet connection, web host and domain name. So, let’s start thinking about content.
Let’s start with your homepage. This is your first impression. It needs to be your business card, saying enough about you and your massage practice to spark curiosity, tempting viewers to explore the rest of your site. You’re creating an image, a personality. You want it to be simple, but still with something to say. If you need some ideas, look at web pages of other massage therapists. Say who you are, what you do and explain how you create change in people’s lives and well-being.
I’ve got a homepage... what other pages do I need?
At least 3 or 4 pages really round out a website. More if you really want to share yourself. Maybe you’ll want a page describing the massage techniques you use. Pages with massage rates, your practice location and your contact information are wise. And, you need a page for reciprocal links of other massage therapy related sites (we’ll talk more about the need for reciprocal links in an upcoming article). How about pages that are regularly updated with articles about the benefits of massage or tips on relaxation? Let your imagination run wild!
I’ve seen some pages with all of this information on a single, really long page. It often takes a great deal of scrolling to find information and there’s nothing to click! A well-designed site can be an immersive journey, luring the web surfer deeper into the experience.
Choose a theme...
With the exception of perhaps your homepage, use a similar format for every page on your site so it’s not disorienting to web surfers. Use your logo throughout your site as well as your name and contact information on every page. And, include a menu on each page, linking to all of the major pages on your site. Don’t forget to include a link back to your homepage!
Some thoughts on site design and graphics...
Keep in mind that not everyone has the latest G5 or Pentium processor or the fastest internet connection. There are still a great number of people surfing the internet on slow dial-up connections using old 68040’s, PowerPC’s and Intel 486’s. Many webmasters create sites that only work on newer computer systems. Older machines and potentially paying clients are excluded with this mentality of web design.
It’s also important to keep your pages relatively small in size. Individual graphics should be no larger than 20-25k and any single page should be no more than 150-200k, including all graphics. A website that takes 30 seconds or more to load will often persuade users to click elsewhere. Try holding your breath for 30 seconds... it’s a long time!
I designed my site (www.transcendingtouch.com) on 10+ year old Mac. One of my requirements was that it load quickly on older computers with a dial-up internet connection. It also had to render similarly on every browser I could get my hands on. I tried it on Netscape 2.0.2-4.08, iCab 2.9.8 (my favorite low-end browser) and even text-based browsers like WannaBe 1.0b14. If your website it readable on these browsers, then any of the major browsers, like Safari, Explorer and the Mozilla based browsers (such as Firefox and Camino) will be able to open your site just dandy.
Do I really have anything to say?
Marketing oneself begins with honest self-examination. Explore your gifts. What schooling have you received? What massage modalities have you trained in? What separates you from other massage therapists? You are a unique, dynamic being in a compassionate, giving profession...express yourself!
Like all advertising and promotional material, a web page needs to get across a feeling. It needs to convey who you are as a massage therapist and human being. A website can reach millions... let the world know see your healing presence! Let ‘em know you’re here!
In upcoming articles, we’ll discuss basic website optimization concepts and search engine ranking techniques. You’ve got a great site, now it needs to be found!
Hamid Shibata Bennett, LMT, is a licensed massage therapist in Portland, Oregon with an extensive background in Japanese and European language desktop publishing and Apple Macintosh hardware and software troubleshooting. His massage therapy practice is deepened by his devotion to the spiritual path, musical expression and overall love of centered presence amidst the beauty of this whirling, ever-changing world. http://www.transcendingtouch.com/
