We counselors often miss immense opportunities because of our lack of business skills. Our websites often look crappy and we need help with design. To have a website custom-built it can cost $1,000+, add SEO, on-going support, and having an eye for marketing, photos, well…it gets really expensive really quick. I think that is ridiculous! Counselors should have great designed websites that don’t just steal from our hard-earned money.

Sweat Equity

We each know our limits when it comes to technology. Some folks need help with basic set up and then quick training, others need a lot more. Either way, growing your knowledge, while also knowing what you don’t have time or desire to learn.

Because I keep getting requests from counselors new and old, that are sick of the same old website with high expenses, I thought I would offer some thoughts and resources. I have broken down these consultation packages in three areas:

1. Platinum Website Package: We do most of the work, saving you time to do counseling or whatever else you want to do.

2. Gold Website Package: We get things going for you, then you grow and build it after we teach you how.

3. Silver Website Package: We teach you the basics of building a website, then you rock it out!

Need a website? Which package would you like?

Platinum Website Package $800 $700

Here is what is covered in this project (what I do):

Market analysis for your area
Initial 30 minute phone consult
Set-up and integration of hosting, domain, and WordPress site
Gmail set-up and email forwarding so that you can have yourname@yoursite.com
5 pages set up. They are usually: Home, Getting started, What is counseling like?, Our counselors, and contact us. If you would like more or different pages, they can be customized
Psychology Today Therapist Finder set-up
A blog within your website to assist with SEO and marketing
A 90 minute walk-through WordPress so that you can add additional pages

What your sweat covers (what you do):

Write the content for your web pages.
Find pictures that are copyright free (I suggest using the Creative Commons on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/)
Find your specific WordPress Theme
Create your logo. This is an additional service that I contract out if you would like. It is around $150.

Gold Website Package $600 $500

Here is what is covered in this project (what I do):

Initial 30 minute phone consult
Set-up and integration of hosting, domain, and WordPress site
5 pages set up. They are usually: Home, Getting started, What is counseling like?, Our counselors, and contact us. If you would like more or different pages, they can be customized
A blog within your website to assist with SEO and marketing
A 90 minute walk-through WordPress so that you can add additional pages

What your sweat covers (what you do):

Write the content for your web pages.
Find pictures that are copyright free (I suggest using the Creative Commons on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/)
Find your specific WordPress Theme
Gmail set-up and email forwarding so that you can have yourname@yoursite.com
Psychology Today Therapist Finder set-up (I can refer you if you would like a FREE month)

Silver Website Package: $350 $250

Here is what is covered in this project (what I do):

Three 30 minute phone consulting sessions
Guidance in setting up your own website
Feedback on design and flow of information

What your sweat covers (what you do):

Set-up and integration of hosting, domain, and WordPress site
Set up pages. They are usually: Home, Getting started, What is counseling like?, Our counselors, and contact us.
A blog within your website to assist with SEO and marketing
A 90 minute walk-through WordPress so that you can add additional pages
Write the content for your web pages.
Find pictures that are copyright free (I suggest using the Creative Commons on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/)
Find your specific WordPress Theme
Gmail set-up and email forwarding so that you can have yourname@yoursite.com
Psychology Today Therapist Finder set-up (I can refer you if you would like a FREE month)

Additional Projects for Established Websites

Set up blogs for SEO which helps you rank higher in Google
Create a marketing strategy discuss implementation
Website review and local market analysis

Depending on the level of time investment, these are offered on a project-based scale. Please email me to inquire: joe@practiceofthepractice.com

Joseph R. Sanok, MA, LLP, LPC, NCC never thought he’d be able to build and run his own website. He loves that technology and people, much smarter than him, has enabled little guys and gals all over to build their own website and make counseling private practice more awesome!

Photo from Creative Commons, thanks JD Hancock!