Should A Nursing Consultant Have A Web site?
As Published in the February 2000, www.legalmedware.com Newsletter
By Dale Tincher
Like other professionals, Nursing Consultants have mixed feelings about Web sites. A Web site requires planning and an investment. Is the effort worthwhile?
The Internet is growing at more than 10 percent per month. Per the American College Survey Group, Forbes 500 CEO’s expect to generate almost 40 percent of their sales through the Internet within ten years. The Boston Consulting Group projects that one-fourth of all U.S. business-to-business purchasing ($2.8 trillion in transaction value) will be done online by 2003.
Law firms and medical organizations are beginning to use the Internet to find their servicing agencies. Organizations are finding that it is quicker and less expensive to place information on the Internet than it is to publish (or purchase) brochures and catalogs. Additionally, organizations find that they can locate information from the desktop Internet computer more quickly than by retrieving publications. A plus is the storage space saved. A March 3, 1998 USA Today article reported that “company executives are going high tech, relying on the Internet as an integral part of their business day.” Another section of the article stated that, “a 1997 survey by the American Management Association found 53% of executives and managers spent up to four hours weekly on the Internet, with 25% expecting their use to jump to 10 hours or more per week within two years.” Among their uses was E-mail, checking out the competition, and keeping up with personal tasks. “They use E-mail to reach customers, clients and employees,” the article continued.
Nursing consultants need to learn, understand, and tap into this medium. You can provide an in-depth profile of your firm. New clients can be attracted locally, regionally and globally. You can communicate with information seekers.
Many benefits can be gained by having a web page. You can introduce your organization by displaying resumes and pictures. You can strengthen relationships and market additional services to existing clients. Your information is available twenty-four hours per day with minimum cost and resources. You can have interactive communications with clients. Recruiting is strengthened.
Consider your desired clients and image. Most nursing consultants want well-funded, progressive clients. These clients usually have web pages. If one of two comparable Nurse Consultants has a professional web site, which consultant do youview as more progressive?
How do you go about planning and obtaining a Web site? We have a great deal of information on our Web site (http://www.consultwebs.com) that discusses these topics. A summary follows:
Planning and Price
It is best to plan first, then implement. Few of us initially know what we want and in which direction we should go. Web pricing can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. The more you prepare in advance, the less your price will be. Template sites such as our can be modified for a few hundred dollars.
We recommend that you develop rough flowcharts of your envisioned site. Preparing documents in Word or WordPerfect format will reduce your investment.
Hosting
Should you install your own Web server or sign up with a Web host service? Most nursing consultants should sign up with a professional Web hosting service. Web hosts are not all alike. They do not offer the same services and products. The fact that a Web host is large or well known, does not mean that they offer a flexible hosting site, with an abundance of services. Web hosting pricing typically ranges from $10 to $59 per month. We will be happy to advise you.
Design
Should you hire a professional or try it yourself. Perhaps you should do both. But, you should at least consult a professional before diving in, then having to do time-consuming redesign at a later point. Damage caused by an amateurish site or ineffective search engine design takes considerable time to undo.
Location of Designer
With today’s technology, location is not as critical as it once was, provided the designer has ties to your industry. For example, if you are a law firm, a generalist designer of Web sites in your area isn’t as concerned about your satisfaction as is a legal-oriented designer. On the other hand, if you are a person who works better face-to-face and prefers handholding, you may prefer a local designer. Many of our clients benefit by being able to jointly review existing materials and brochures and interview staff members. Technology such as Internet whiteboards, cameras (cams), and other net meeting tools fromLogitech, Mimio Ink Corporation and Microsoft can assist in conducting remote meetings.
Aesthetics & Layout
The site should be informative, while being compelling. An attractive site interests viewers, making them want to see more. The layout should be designed so the viewer quickly understands the site’s mission. Graphics should complement the site’s layout and content. The site should be designed for the target market, not to impress other designers or surfers.
Search engine results
Organizations often spend considerable amounts of money on their site, only to find that their site cannot be found in the search engines. This can be a result of poor planning of the Meta key words and/or Web pages. Each search engine operates differently. Be sure to add key words to your text content and your hidden Meta key words. Planning and ongoing monitoring and search engine maintenance are required.
Maintenance
Should you plan to maintain the site or contract with a designer? Avoid a situation where a template designer sets you up inexpensively, then requires you to pay them for all updates. You should obtain the capability, if desired, to maintain your site and call on your Web designer for more complex additions and changes.
Is your site working?
If you have a Web site, you should examine your results. If you are not obtaining prospective clients, perhaps a site evaluation is in order. Search engines may not be finding you or your message may not be presented properly..
With planning, a Web site can save administrative time by placing key information on the Internet. A Web site can obtain and retain clients. The answer to our initial question is, “the investment is worthwhile.” We look forward to seeing you on the Web.
Dale Tincher is owner and manager of Consultwebs.com, a Raleigh, North Carolina, Web consulting and design firm. Consultwebs.com specializes in designing Web sites for small and medium-sized businesses. Consultwebs.com owns and manages more than 50 Internet domains, including http://www.legalresourcelinks.com.
In addition to Web design, Dale frequently writes for legal periodicals (http://www.consultwebs.com/dtarticles/). He is one of three technology consultants endorsed by the North Carolina Bar Association. Dale teaches Continuing Education Courses (CLE) courses. He has addressed more 1,000 attorneys and support staff in the past year at the North Carolina Bar Association, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers and related organizations. Dale is an Internet panelist at the American Bar Association’s (ABA) annual TechShow 2000 (www.techshow.com) being held in Chicago, ILL., March 29ththrough April 1st, 2000.
