10 Things Every Holistic Website Must Have to Succeed

There are some elements all successful holistic websites have in common:

1. A well-organized site with a consistent look and feel across all pages
A well-organized site is a user-friendly site. A consistent graphic look increases trust and the level of perceived professionalism.

2. A well-designed home page which allows users a peek at the backpage contents

In the olden days of the web, the home page was treated as an introduction to the site, but now that everyone is comfortable with using the internet, we get right to it by presenting a page that is more like a Table of Contents. Small content boxes usually surround the main content area and are used to preview new articles, features, or to provide a quick path to the most popular pages. With a well planned home page, you tell visitors what you're about in a glance.

3. A strong identity

All businesses need a logo. It may be typographic(letters only) logo, but you need a logo. If you are a sole proprietor, an author, medium, instructor or the like, you serve your visitors best by creating a brand under your name or persona. It is simply the best way for people to remember you and find you. If you are going to persona brand, you should have, in addition to a logo:

• a professional photo (mandatory)


• a video of you on the home page (can be welcome or about your latest thoughts or new product or service)


• a graphic signature(if appropriate)

4. A Download in exchange for visitor's email
Sometimes called "bait", this is a first step to motivate visitors to give you their email and start a sort of dialog with you that may ends with them purchasing your product or taking the first step toward a purchase.

5. Newsletter sign-up
Keep the dialog going with feature packed newsletters. Always offer a little something special in your newsletter, like a coupon, or notice of a "members only" event.

6. Continually changing informative content relevant to your website's purpose
Sticky websites are websites that visitors return to again and again. Well written, relevant and fresh content insures your visitors will return to see what's new. This content can be re-purposed for use in your newsletter. Columns or features like monthly sun sign forecasts, a new monthly video yoga lesson, or new meditation keep people coming back.

7. Freebies to download
Offer some "no strings attached" free downloads, such as a meditation audio file, a workbook or other useful download.

8. Events
Events make your site look like a lively place. List any events, demonstrations, classes or appearances on the front page. Consider live webcam or telephone lessons and workshops.

9. Products or services described as concretely as possible

Be sure you describe clearly what you are offering. It's not enough to simply list your skills (like "masseuse") and assume clients will call you. You must create offerings that appeal and identify the product like "1 hour Swedish Massage. Experience the deep soothing relaxation only the Swedish Massage can offer. Plan to take it easy after this wonderful experience. $75"
Some holistic professionals are embarassed to include price information or they want to have flexibility to charge less to those who can't pay. There are other ways to give back, but you must include prices when you describe you products or services. When there is no price it makes you seem unprofessional and untrustworthy and drives away paying customers.

10. Promotions

Netcraft says that the total number of websites on the Internet has now exceeded 182 million! You must promote your website both for traditional marketing purposes and to get the inbound links that improve your search engine ranking. Some quick suggestions for promotion are blogs, reciprocal links with other businesses in the field, and writing articles for online magazines

Learn more about enhancing your spiritual or holistic online business at http://www.jollymystic.com/.