Research has shown that pet owners rely heavily on the internet to help them evaluate and choose veterinary care providers. Every practice needs an effective web presence if they are going to attract and keep clients.

Partners for Healthy Pets (PHP), an alliance of 100+ veterinary associations, veterinary colleges, and animal health companies focused on preventive care led by AAHA and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), is offering free, downloadable tools to help your practice create an effective web presence and become more social media savvy. 

Through the Jumpstart Your Practice Online series, you will be taken through five instructional video modules by Dr. Michael Warren, a practicing veterinarian and managing director of a successful Web development firm. Each of the five modules in the series will feature two 30-minute segments accompanied by printable worksheets and supported by live interactive Webinars.

Modules cover the topics in the following order:

1. Overview of Veterinary Marketing and Online Client Engagement
2. How to Build an Effective Veterinary Website
3. Search Engine Marketing
4. Social Media
5. Reputation Management

You will have two weeks to complete section of each module, meaning the full course takes 15 weeks at the recommend pace. However, you can work more quickly or go through modules in the order they interest you.

The Introduction video will give a brief overview of the course itself and then you can get started with Module 1. The first module covers how to craft your message to attract and inspire potential clients to join your practice. Following this step-by-step process, you will be able to showcase the true values behind your practice, which will translate into enhanced client engagement and practice growth.

Module 2 focuses on your practice website. Learn how to transform it into the platform where you showcase the man great aspects of your practice—including that inspirational message from Module 1. In this module, learn how to create an exceptional first impression by reviewing both good and bad example websites that show what to strive for and what to avoid. This module also includes a workshop-style tutorial that sketches out the perfect client-attracting veterinary website, feature by feature. 

From there you can take to explore search engine marketing to drive business to your website, how to develop an ROI-driven social media system, and how to manage your online reputation. By focusing on the implementation process, this course provides plenty of free, downloadable tools that will make changing your online presence easier than you thought.

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