Beck Institute web redesign improves user experience and increases results

NetReach web development technology helps Beck Institute streamline access to the organization’s cognitive behavior therapy resources and improves user experience and increases results (519 KB pdf)

Philadelphia web development company streamlines access to the organization’s cognitive behavior therapy resources

AMBLER, PA – September 29, 2011 – NetReach is proud to announce the launch of a new site for the prestigious Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Combining NetReach’s consultative services and its premier content management system, cmScribe, has provided a streamlined way for Beck Institute to provide diverse resources to a broad international audience of healthcare professionals, students and the public.

“The new site vastly improves the user experience for all our audiences, and cmScribe makes it easy for us to keep our content current,” said Julie Hergenrather, Ph.D., executive director of Beck Institute, an international training and resource center for mental health professionals and academics, as well as a resource for patients and consumers. “In the first week after the launch, workshop applications tripled.”

In hundreds of clinical trials, CBT has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for a wide variety of mental health disorders. “Beck Institute is recognized internationally for its professional training programs in CBT, but the organization wanted to increase the visibility of the many other resources it offers, such as direct patient therapy services, educational materials and special services for active-duty and veteran military members,” said Stephen Bouikidis, executive vice president of the suburban Philadelphia web development company.

NeReach provided a new information architecture and user interface. The redesigned home page offers prominent links to key content areas, including current workshop offerings, as well as Facebook and Twitter links to facilitate social media engagement. The new site is search-engine optimized and features advanced search functionality, integration with email marketing services, multi-media capabilities and calendar listings. The website developers also addressed complex e-commerce requirements.

Alternative to traditional shopping cart system

E-commerce presented a challenge. The non-profit Beck Institute needed a system that could address various transaction types, including direct sales of DVDs and other materials, books sales through a partnership with Amazon.com, workshop and supervision registrations that required approval prior to payment, and donations. NetReach customized its robust and flexible cmScribe e-commerce module to address the institute’s unique requirements.

“We needed to make the workshop registration process intuitive and responsive,” said Bouikidis. “We customized a solution that enables healthcare professionals and students to fill in an online application, notifies Institute staff so they can review the application, and emails students with acceptance information along with a link to purchase the workshop or service.”

“The new streamlined process makes it easier for approved applicants to register for workshops. It has dramatically reduced the length of time from initial application to final registration,” said Hergenrather.

NetReach also reorganized the bookstore, offering a choice of CD, tape or DVD as appropriate for each title instead of listing each media type as an individual product. The developers created a function in the My Account area for downloadable products. Books available through Amazon.com are clearly divided into Books for Professionals and Books for Consumers. NetReach established an e-commerce section for Beck Diet Solutions merchandise, which were previously offered on a separate website.

To encourage donations to the non-profit organization, the updated Donations page features a link to a PayPal account instead of the original donations form.

Streamlined training application and payment processes

Beck Institute offers workshops and supervision for cognitive behavior therapists and other health and mental health professionals around the world. To encourage applications, NetReach created a new Workshop and Supervision section of the site, which clearly explains offerings, upcoming dates and availability. The cmScribe application enables Beck Institute to update the information without specialized technical skills.

The new site also streamlines what was a cumbersome application process. The redesigned application form enables the user to upload required documentation in PDF, RFT or Word format. Application submission triggers an email notification to Beck Institute staff so they can begin review. During the review process, applicants can log in to view their status. When an application is approved, a Beck Institute administrator notifies the applicant via email, directing him or her to make a payment. On login, the site automatically directs the application to the payment page, which shows the amount due. The site redesign replaces multi-page e-commerce billing with a single, secure payment page.  

“The key to a successful process is to design a user interface that eliminates confusion,” Bouikidis said. “We simplified the process and provided the support necessary to help users feel confident about applying and submitting payments online.”

A proven source for website development services

Beck Institute needed its website to work hard—to increase workshop applications, requests for speakers, donations and more, while conveying both the expertise and accessibility of its staff to both professional and lay audiences. The organization chose NetReach to help it achieve those goals based on the web developers’ proven successes with similar sites in the public health/healthcare and education arenas.

About the Beck Institute

The Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is a non-profit international training and resource center for health and mental health professionals, educators, and students worldwide. CBT was developed by Dr. Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, with the founding of the Beck Institute in 1994 (by Drs. Aaron and Judith Beck) as an outgrowth of Dr. Aaron Beck’s original Center for Cognitive Therapy at the University of Pennsylvania. This famous Institute provides state-of-the-art psychotherapy and training opportunities for professionals worldwide and at all levels and promotes research in the field of CBT. Learn more about the Beck Institute at http://www.beckinstitute.org/.

About NetReach

NetReach is a software and professional web development company with deep roots in strategic marketing. Founded in 1994, NetReach has helped commercial and not-for-profit clients maximize their ROI in Internet marketing, commerce, and web application development initiatives. NetReach’s premier Content Management System (CMS), cmScribe, is a mid-market .NET product that is sold nationally and internationally. For more information about NetReach’s services, our product offerings, or to become a reseller, call 215-283-2300, ext. 147, or visit www.netreach.com.