Take Your Web Site to the Next Level

CLICK is the latest in a series of popular e-newsletters from VisionMonday. Every month, CLICK will provide ECPs and optical retailers with the tools they need to build their presence online and grow connections with patients. It's a monthly briefing designed specifically to provide practical insights and ideas about the latest Web site features, tools and Web-based applications.

CLICK will feature a variety of topics including innovative ideas in Web site design, profiles of ECP sites, examples of cutting-edge initiatives. We hope you use it to discover current Web technologies and learn how online initiatives can help benefit your business. Tried something new on your Web site? Have a suggestion or comment about CLICK? Tell us about it and we'll consider it for an upcoming feature in CLICK.
—The Editors

Majority of ECPs Are Using Internet Regularly for Professional
and Personal Use

NEW YORK—More than half of eyecare professionals, 57.3 percent, say they obtain "most of their information" today from the Internet. This is one of the highlights of a recently-conducted study on Internet Usage, both personal and professional among ECPs, conducted by Jobson Optical Research. Nearly all respondents, 97.5 percent, said they have shopped online, some 30.8 percent prefer to download music online while 48.3 percent still prefer to purchase a CD, 69.5 percent have watched videos online and 90 percent said they use the Internet "several times a day."

In terms of their professional use, nearly 68 percent of ECPs surveyed agreed that they have looked online to get information on the optical industry "more than previous years" and that the main vehicles they prefer for learning about optical industry news are, in order, industry magazines, education seminars, email newsletters and Web sites.

More details on the Internet habits of ECPs and optical retailers are available in the Jobson Internet Usage Study which was fielded from May 14 to May 27, 2009. ECPs were contacted via email and asked to click on a survey link. An incentive of a chance to win a $200 American Express Gift Card was offered and a total of 321 respondents completed the extensive survey. Survey respondents were primarily opticians and optometrists, in addition to some retail chain executives and others. Nearly 19 percent were between the ages of 31 and 40, 22.4 percent between the ages of 41 and 50 and 40.2 percent between the ages of 61 and 70.

To learn more about Jobson Research's ECP Internet Usage study and to find out how you can obtain a copy, please email Bill Scott, VP/Group Publisher, at bscott@jobson.com.

Transitions Offers Facebook Guide and Page for ECPs

Popular 'Social Media' Tool Helps Connect With Colleagues and Patients

PINELLAS PARK, Fla.—Social media is no longer emerging—it is here and available. More than 150 million people worldwide are now actively using Facebook and Transitions Optical, Inc. is providing a resource for ECPs to join the conversation and spread the message of healthy sight.

The new Transitions Facebook guide, Putting Your Practice on Facebook, will help ECPs leverage this social media network professionally and stay top-of-mind with patients. Also just debuted is the Transitions Lenses: Healthy Sight Professionals Facebook page, created for ECPs to stay up-to-date on the latest developments from Transitions and to provide a forum for peer-to-peer dialogue.

The Transitions Facebook guide explains what social media is, where Facebook fits in and how it can help ECPs connect with other professionals and patients. For example, by creating a business page for their practice, eyecare professionals can enable patients using Facebook to become fans of their practice's page. This will allow eyecare professionals to actively connect with patients and share information on events, promotions and healthy sight.

The guide includes a glossary to help eyecare professionals understand common Facebook terms, and a list of "dos" and "don'ts" to help them get started while avoiding the pitfalls that may come with sharing information on the Web.

"We are always looking for new ways to support industry professionals and help ECPs market their practices," said Trish Boccuti, senior marketing specialist, eyecare professionals, Transitions. "Social media is a powerful communications channel and the optical industry should leverage it to spread the message of healthy sight, and boost business for eyecare practices."

The new Transitions Lenses: Healthy Sight Professionals Facebook page offers eyecare professionals a place to connect on issues related to healthy sight and seek business-building information and tips on recommending Transitions lenses. The page contains educational videos, photos from industry events, and links to business resources and education.

Transitions Putting Your Practice on Facebook guide for eyecare professionals can be downloaded here or is available by calling Transitions Customer Service at (800) 848-1506. The Transitions Lenses: Healthy Sight Professionals Facebook page can be found via a search on Facebook, and is separate from the consumer-facing Transitions lenses page.