There are many different marketing tools for optometric practices, including newspaper advertisements, mailers, flyers or television commercials. Interestingly, few practices have turned to the Internet for marketing and optometric websites are few.

As optometry consists of one of the highest rates of turnover of any medical practice, marketing and retaining your customers becomes crucial to maintaining a high level of practice. It therefore makes a lot of sense to have a web presence in order to grab that section of the populace.

Optometric websites can be whatever you make of it. You can put in coupons for eyeglass specials, information on your practice, contact lens information and information as to how they can reach you.

There is, in fact, a checklist of things you may decide to include on your web page to round it out and to maximize the success potential of your site and your business.

• Do a blog. Blogs are ways to pass along pertinent information to patients and potential patients. The doctor or other staff member can write about eye diseases such as macular degeneration, near-sightedness, far-sightedness, glaucoma and other eye conditions your patients may have questions about. Update the blog frequently and make it an informal way to connect with visitors to your site. You can use the blog to update patients on new eyeglass shipments, any sales you might have or other information you might want to use to market your practice. If the blog is frequently updated, the websites ranking can be enhanced.

• Information on glasses. Set aside a section on types of eyeglasses and let your patients know what kinds of eyeglasses they can choose from, including those with anti-reflective coating, “Transitions Lenses” and the latest in progressive eyeglass lenses. Offer them a list on your optometric websites of the name brands you supply at your business.

• Information on contact lenses. A section on contact lenses is appropriate, especially if a high proportion of your patients are contact lens wearers. Give them prices on various name brands, offer them colored lenses or, if you really want to be on your game, offer online reordering of contact lenses. Such an ordering tool can be completely automated and can make your practice a great deal of extra money. Add basic contact lens care facts and perhaps sell contact lens solution as well. Remind patients not to swim or sleep while wearing contacts.

• Provide practice information: Optometric websites are a global marketing tool for a highly regional business. Provide information as to specialized information you provide and whether or not the doctor has had special training. Writing about your practice can let a visitor know how your practice stands apart from the others nearby.

• Provide contact information: This includes your address, phone and fax numbers, office hours and even how to get to your practice from various places in the area. Patients like this information to quickly look up how to reach you or get to you at the click of a button. Contact information and nothing else will increase your chances of being found on the Internet.

• Special features: Nice features to have include having a contact form where patients have the ability to ask you questions and having online contact lenses ordering. Such features can often draw new patients in to your practice.

A huge percentage of your practice is using the Internet. Having optometric websites that showcase your business is the perfect way to stay connected to your patients and raise an overall awareness of your presence as a reliable optometry practice.

Most doctors use less than 20% of the potential of their website for gaining new patients. A great looking website is only one part of getting patients from the internet. Are you getting as many patients as you can from yours? You may find the free expert guide, '7 Mistakes Doctors Make When Getting Their Website Done'.  a valuable resource.