There is a lot that goes into creating a website for your private practice.  Even if you don’t want to spend the money right now, you need to think ahead of time about the many components that go into the development of your website.  Here is a starter list of things to consider.

1. Static (HTML) or blog platform [I never recommend HTML.  Check out the link to Blogging with Beth in the sidebar for more info about blogs.]
2. If you have a static site, do you also want to include a blog? [Definitely]
3. Customized or template?
4. What content to do you want include? And, how are you going to update and manage that content?
5. Who is going to write the content for your sight – you or someone else? [Kathryn Bass is a really gifted copywriter if you want someone to write it for you.  And, if you are looking for someone to help you write it yourself, hire me! I'll be glad to help!]
6. Spend some time surfing on other websites.  Collect the URLs of the ones that you like (as well as the ones you hate).  [Your web designer will love your for this.]
7. Look and feel – gather samples of art / color palettes that you like – either hard copy or on line.  [If you want more options of color palettes, check out COLOURLovers.]
8. Navigation of content -  How someone gets around your site matters.  Ask your web designer to make it simple and logical.
9. Your professional biography
10. A professional photo
11. The services you provide
12. Client testimonials / statistics
13. FAQs page
14. Links you want to include
15. Resources you want to include
16. Forms for your clients or the general public
17. Access for the disabled
18. A search feature on your site
19. How are you going to handle changes / maintenance for your site?  Who is going to do the actual work?
20. Cost – development, hosting, maintenance, auto-responder, URL
21. Security for your website

OK, gang, have I missed anything?  If so, I hope you’ll take a moment to list it below!

Tags: Security, Website

If you are a mental health professional (or an allied health professiona) with an online presence, then you know how critical it is that you control your online identity.  It’s not a matter of simply slapping up a website or blog.  You need to stay on top of how you name is being used and who else might be using it.

Sree Sreenivasan has written an informative post at DNAinfo entitled Identity in the Age of Facebook.  In her post, she identifies at least four things you need to do to maximize your control over your online identity.  Take a look and let me know what you did with the suggestions she provided.

Tags: Professional Image, Security

The CBS Evening News posted an article by Armen Keteyian that states . . .

Nearly every digital copier built since 2002 contains a hard drive – like the one on your personal computer – storing an image of every document copied, scanned, or emailed by the machine.”

Read this article before you dispose of your old photocopier.  Your clients’ privacy, your privacy, and your license depend on it.

Tags: Ethics, Security