Here’s a topic that’ll put your friends to sleep: massage homepage.
And quite frankly it seems minor in the big picture of building a massage practice, doesn’t it?
But when you dig down deeper you start to realize that your massage homepage is your 1st impression page.
If the viewer likes what she sees, she’s going to continue to read about your services.
Make a bad impression and bye-bye potential customer.
Your Massage Homepage is Important
I learned about the importance of a homepage from my new clients.
When a new client comes into our office it’s not uncommon for him to say:
“I like that your massages are 60 minutes long…” or “I saw your tennis ball video…” or “I never heard of anyone not accepting tips…”
And that’s when I made the connection that having an effective homepage impacts potential customers calling us.
Okay, Mark, how much is it going to cost to have someone write (or rewrite) my homepage for me?
Nothing.
Because you’re going to do it yourself.
Massage Homepage Writing Strategy
And I have a simple strategy to help you out.
So simple it has only one rule:
1. Don’t bore the viewer (potential customer).
Let the franchise massage spas do that.
Here’s Massage Envy in action:
And Hand & Stone…
Hey, Elements isn’t a slacker with boring copy either.
Here’s the thing, they’re not dumb.
They know their market, and they make tons of money.
They choose boring copy because being boring works in their situation.
They are drawing customers from the spa market. Franchise massage spas are the cheap option for these customers. So franchise massage spas want to blend in and look like the other guy (higher-end spas) while offering a cheaper deal. Hence, boring copy.
But boring doesn’t work for us independents.
We’re not only competing with massage spas, but we’re competing with chiropractors, wellness centers and each other, too.
We need to stand out.
The copy on our homepages has to pop, has to resonate, has to grab the viewer’s eyeballs.
Make Your Copy Pop
On our PressurePerfect homepage I let potential customers know that if massage spas are acid we’re the base.
We do 60 minute massages.
We provide ample time between clients so that no one is rushed.
We don’t have memberships.
And we don’t accept tips.
That’s what we do on our homepage, but what should you do on your own homepage?
1. Ask yourself: What about my business is eyeball catching?
It doesn’t have to be radical.
In fact, radical can turn a lot of people off.
It just has to be truthful, something you are and/or stand behind.
Here are some examples:
- Above-and-beyond customer care.
- Specialty massage.
- Expert with specific populations, like seniors, PTSD clients or cancer survivors.
- Niche market, like tri-athletes, golfers, actors, dancers, office workers, EMTs, nurses, etc.
- A special introductory rate.
- A really nice and relaxing massage room.
- Aromatherapy/essential oils.
- Guided meditation with massage.
- Massage and stretching.
- Your own brand of massage.
So what if none of this is your deal or you just started doing massage, how else can you not be boring and engage the potential customer?
2. Provide non-boring, helpful information.
We have a self-massage video for neck and shoulders on our homepage.
When a customer comes in and says, “I tried the massage tool that you showed on your video…” all I can thing about is how awkward I look on camera.
But I know that the video was effective because the customer remembered it.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9iLpapL4BY[/embedyt]
3. Use pictures to take the yawn out of a homepage.
I use a combination of free stock pics and ones that I have taken.
I’d prefer to do all homegrown pics, but some pics are beyond my pic-taking abilities.
Also, if you’re comfortable writing…
4. Write a short article on something important to the customer.
You can’t go wrong with massage as it relates to neck or back pain.
That article can be on the homepage itself or you could create another tab on your website, paste the article on that page and simply have a link to the article on your homepage.
Not too hard, right?
So have at it.
Make your homepage not boring.
How do you know if your copy is boring?
Are you bored writing it or when you read it?
If so, rewrite.
Make that viewer want to come see you.
Give her reasons.
Earn her business.
Tell her what makes you different from the competition.
Give her information (article) that can have immediate impact on her health.
Show her (video) how to do something that can relieve pain.
Provide her with the information that demonstrates you are the one to get the job done.
By the way, you are:-)
Hey, I never get bored talking about homepages and websites.
For more help with your website check out my How to Build a Website Guide and my How to Decide Which Website Builder to Go With article.
