No one can doubt the influence of the internet, but how well does your practice harness the power of the web? This category will reward an independent practice that has used the internet to improve its business and benefit its patients.
The judges will be looking for a practice website that can be found easily, is informative, attractive and simple to use. Entries should include the website address and a statement outlining what the website is designed to achieve and some details of its inception. Information on the cost of building and maintaining the website should be included.
Entries will also be accepted from practices that have used the internet in other innovative ways to build their practices, increase customer numbers and benefit patients.
What the sponsor says
Essilor is very pleased to sponsor the award of Independent Practice Website of the Year as we believe that a good-quality website is an essential element of the marketing mix for an independent practice.
We recognise too, that the customers of most independent opticians see its website as a first opportunity to see what a practice has to offer, making it such an essential part of the crucial first impression a customer gains of that practice.
We firmly believe it is vital that the independent practice attaches the necessary importance to marketing in general as it gives direction to the effort the practice makes to attract and retain customers.
We also appreciate that for many independent practices, the financial investment in producing their own website is a significant one and we are very pleased to acknowledge the great efforts so many practices have made in this direction.
It also explains why we have offered Varilux Specialist Opticians wishing to create their own website access to our extensive library of product images and why we offer to produce low-cost websites, linked to our www.varilux.co.uk website, for opticians without a web presence.