Dynamic Chiropractic is pleased to announce the winners of the 5th annual ChiroMaster awards, a recognition of the best chiropractic websites of individual practitioners. The awards signify websites that embody a positive representation of chiropractic, and an excellent resource of information about the benefits of chiropractic care.
- content: accurate, rational, easy-to-read information for patients about chiropractic;
- particulars of the doctor's practice: office hours, driving directions, and the types of services provided;
- technical considerations: download time, ability to navigate quickly and effectively, and compatibility with popular web browsers; and
- miscellaneous factors: working links, proper spelling and grammar, complete and correct contact information, and frequent updates to the site.
The 2002 ChiroMaster award winners are:
Dr. Miles Bodzin (www.bodzin.com)
Bodzin.com is an excellent site that effectively uses frames, Java applets, e-mail services, animation, static images and text. Together, these elements create an extremely user-friendly site that is not only visually appealing, but contains a wealth of information about Dr. Bodzin, his office, and all that chiropractic has to offer.
Bodzin.com utilizes an eight-button toolbar situated on the left-hand side of the site next to images of back pain and a doctor delivering an adjustment. The toolbar is logically and efficiently designed; the buttons are easy to read and understand. Moving your cursor over a button brings up another list, which gives access to more sections of the site. For example, moving over the "Office" button brings up a second button, which lets users make an appointment on line; find Dr. Bodzin's office hours; get driving directions to his clinic; or send an e-mail message. One button details which insurance the office accepts; other buttons allow you to sign up for a free e-mail newsletter; refer a friend for an adjustment; and learn about chiropractic philosophy.
Aside from a few minor spelling errors, Bodzin.com is an exemplary chiropractic website that serves as a good reference for chiropractors interested in having their own online presence.
Dr. Robert Smith (www.drrobertsmith.com)
Whereas Dr. Bodzin's site uses nearly every web-designing trick in the book, Dr. Smith's site consists of roughly a dozen pages with little-to-no graphics and the same design on every page. This lack of imagery may not draw as much attention, but it does create a simple, clean look that is easy to read and downloads in only a few seconds.
Each of DrRobertSmith.com's sections contains nearly everything a prospective patient might want to know. The "Health News" section contains brief news items neatly segregated into chiropractic, nutrition and fitness areas, with anchor links at the top of the page. New patients can also print out and complete patient forms before the office visit. It's a smart idea. The forms provide Dr. Smith with pertinent information, while allowing patients to fill out the forms in the more relaxed atmosphere of their homes. (Patients may feel a little rushed when filling out forms in the doctor's office, and may not give as much information as desirable.)
One thing we noticed in reviewing Dr. Smith's site is that the sites on his Links page are not listed in alphabetical order, which was something of a disappointment. We also noticed that every page is created in an Active Server Page (.asp) format, which may cause problems with some older browsers. Then again, if you're still using a version of Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator from the mid-1990s, isn't it about time you upgraded to a newer browser? Take these minor inconveniences with a grain of salt and visit DrRobertSmith.com - it's worth your time.
Dr. Brad Profitt (www.profittchiropractic.com)
Another site that presents quality over quantity is the creation of Dr. Brad Profitt. Simple, yet elegant, the site provides users with good, solid information about chiropractic to current and prospective patients, and it does so without overwhelming visitors.
The website covers seven areas: 1) a simple yet detailed description of chiropractic philosophy; 2) a list of more than a dozen techniques and products the practice offers, including chiropractic adjustments, orthotics, ultrasound and myofascial release; 3) disorders that chiropractic can treat; 4) eight photographs (that can be enlarged) that showcase different areas of Dr. Profitt's practice; 5) downloadable (Microsoft Word or Adobe format), case history, consent and accident injury report forms patients can print and fill out before making an office visit; 6) links to prominant chiropractic and chiropractic-related sites; and 7) office contact information, driving directions and a picture of the outside of Dr. Profitt's clinic.
Simplicity is the key to the success of ProfittChiropractic.com. All of the pages contain ample amounts of relevant information, yet not so much as to engulf the reader. In addition, each page stays with the same uniform format, which makes for familiarity and quick downloading. The site also makes good use of white space along with images, so that visitors to the site are not taken aback with too many visual cues. A good, solid addition to the growing number of individual chiropractic websites.
Drs. James Edwards and Cynthia Vaughn (www.chiroaustin.com)
Since the ChiroMaster awards' first contest in 1997, Dr. James Edwards' site has impressed the judges each year. This year, Dr. Edwards has teamed up with Cynthia Vaughn,DC, president of the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, to create an informative, well thought out site. There is plenty of information here for people interested in chiropractic. With just a few mouse-clicks, users can learn about Drs. Edwards and Vaughn and the services they provide; subscribe for a free e-mail newsletter; find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about chiropractic; or watch an award-winning video program on the education doctors of chiropractic receive.
There are some notable omissions to ChiroAustin.com that were included on Dr. Edwards' old site JamesEdwards.com, including links to every chiropractic licensing board in the U.S. and nearly every chiropractic organization in the country; still, the site is worthy of an award.
Dr. Jim Edwards of Bedford, Indiana (www.drjimedwards.com)
Not to be confused with the Austin, Texas site of Dr. James Edwards, this site belongs to Dr. Jim Edwards of Bedford, Indiana. The site may be somewhat sparse on graphics, but it combines soft colors with simple, reader-friendly text in a nice, tight format.
As with most of the sites described above, DrJimEdwards.com contains many of the sections you'd expect in a ChiroMaster winning site: a map to the office; biographical pages for the doctor and staff; a lengthy FAQ (frequently asked questions) page; and an e-mail link for patients to sign up for an e-mail newsletter. One of the most interesting features of the site is "Common Pains," which contains a figure of a woman standing with hands on hips and arrows pointing to various conditions. Clicking on the condition yields a complete description of the problem and how chiropractic can treated it. There is also an extensive section called "Available Services," which details all of the services available at Dr. Edwards' clinic.
The site could benefit from more contact information on the site's front page, especially for people who don't have e-mail access. Still, the site has an excellent layout. Its use of contrasting colors works quite well in drawing the reader's attention and giving a pleasant appearance.
Congratulations to our winners!
ChiroMaster 2003 Coming Next Year
Next year's ChiroMaster contest will be held in the summer of 2003, at which time the announcement will be made in Dynamic Chiropractic.
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