Many new coaches wonder if they should put a PayPal link on their website so that visitors could sign up for coaching and pay online.
If you do not have many clients, are a relatively new coach, are looking to get credible, are not selling products, are primarily seeking 1-on-1 clients, then no, you don’t need PayPal on your website.
It’s unrealistic to expect prospective clients to visit your website and sign up for coaching and pay online without first having had a discussion with you. They will want to talk to see if they like you, trust you and if they feel you can really help them.
Thus, instead of putting a PayPal link on your website, steer clients to contacting you by phone or email for a discussion.
It’s the free session (the exploration of working together) that’s will help you sell them (show your tremendous value).
When the excitement is high at the meeting, take their payment information right there and run the transaction on the back end, and get them started. Don’t add any extra steps to signing up.
This is related to my article, Should You Post Coaching Fees on Your Website?
Kenn Schroder helps professional coaches who struggle to find and attract clients setup a compelling web presence to create a steady stream of fun-to-work-with, paying clients.
Get 5 Website Strategies for Attracting Coaching Clients at http://www.CoachingSitesThatWork.com
So Kenn, what service do you recommend to process cards on the back
end?
I understand the thinking here Ken. I’ve played with both sides of
the coin. I will tell you from my experience when I was a brand new
client I wanted to know how much this would cost! It felt like
standing outside a restaurant where I’d seen the menu–the food
sounded great, but there were no prices on the menu. You probably
won’t get me inside the door. I have started playing with the idea
instead of listing each package, say coaching may cost between XX
& XXX depending on what services you decide on. then send a
PayPal bill on the backside of the process. I still find clients
like to be able to access the payment button at their own
convenience. I’d love to hear what is working for other coaches
(new coaches and more established). Jude
Judy: Paypal or PracticePay Solutions. More resources on my website
resource section.
http://www.coachingsitesthatwork.com/coach-website-resources.asp
Jude: Great point. Yes, knowing some fee ranges is a way of getting
someone an idea. And yes, i hate not knowing some idea of fees.
Great point. I’ve seen successful coaches post fees straight out as
well. Thanks for your thoughts!