An engaging client portal can make all the difference when patients are choosing a provider. With just a few simple updates, you can transform your profile into a polished, trustworthy, and compelling space that reflects your practice and attracts the right patients. Here are seven quick tips to help you elevate your portal with confidence.

Tip #1: Use Engaging Thumbnails

Make your service and resource thumbnails work for you by using visuals that truly reflect your practice. If you’re offering couples therapy, choose imagery that feels warm and inviting—something that conveys the outcome patients are hoping for, like a happy couple ready for their next chapter together. The right visual should spark an emotional connection and reassure patients that they’re making the right choice when booking.

Take it even further by weaving in your branding. A logo or slogan layered onto your visuals not only strengthens your identity but also builds trust with visitors exploring your client portal.

For sourcing, rely on reputable platforms like Unsplash or Freepik, which offer a wide range of professional photos and illustrations. And don’t hesitate to invest in a paid image—those small costs are outweighed by the long‑term value of growing a recognizable, trustworthy brand.

Quick Checklist for Engaging Visuals

• Match your practice’s voice: Use images that reflect the service you’re offering (e.g., warm, inviting visuals for couples therapy).
• Spark emotion: Choose visuals that make patients feel the outcome they’re seeking—connection, healing, hope.
• Add your branding: Include your logo or slogan to build trust and strengthen your identity.
• Source smartly: Browse reputable sites like Unsplash and Freepik for quality photos and illustrations.
• Invest when needed: Don’t shy away from paying for a strong image—the long‑term brand value outweighs the small cost.

This way, every thumbnail becomes more than just a picture—it becomes a powerful extension of your practice’s story.

Tip #2: 3P - Upload a Professional-looking Profile Picture

When people shop around for a healthcare provider, they’re not just scanning credentials—they’re sizing up the whole package. They’ll check your location, your prices, your bio, and yes…your photo. That snapshot is often the first impression, and patients want to see someone who looks professional, approachable, and trustworthy. A clean, polished image tells them you’re serious about your work and confident in your care. Studies even show that presentation plays a big role in building trust and shaping patient decisions. Sure, today’s phone cameras can capture a decent headshot, but investing in professional photography takes things to the next level—helping you stand out in the marketplace and showing patients you’re the real deal.

Your photo isn’t just a picture—it’s your practice’s handshake.

Tip #3: Enhance Your Profile with Badges & Accolades

The more you engage with Materia+, the more recognition you earn—and the more you can proudly display it. Each badge or accolade is more than just an icon; it’s a visible marker of your dedication to your practice and to the Materia+ community. A profile filled with achievements instantly feels more inviting, and patients naturally gravitate toward providers who show commitment and credibility.

Stay on top of your growth by checking the Badges & Accolades tab on your Dashboard regularly. When new ones appear, you’ll know right away and never miss the chance to attain and eventually showcase them.

Got specialized skills that complement your services? Highlight them with badges. The more badges you display, the more reasons patients have to visit your profile—whether they’re searching for a specific specialty or simply looking for a provider who stands out.

Tip #4: Share Resources to Elevate Your Value

Sharing resources through your client portal isn’t just a nice touch—it’s a powerful way to increase engagement and position yourself as a trusted healthcare provider. Patients see greater value in a practitioner who goes beyond appointments to provide knowledge and guidance. The more you invest in educating and informing, the more patients will view you as a reliable partner in their health journey.

Resources you can share include:

• Educational materials – guides, articles, or wellness tips that empower patients
• Service guidelines – clear instructions on treatments or processes
• Clinic catalogues – showcase your offerings in one place

Bottom line: Sharing resources doesn’t just fill your portal—it elevates your practice, builds trust, and makes you indispensable.

Tip #5: Upload Photos

Don’t overlook the power of your portal’s photo section. Images give patients and visitors an immediate sense of your practice and the values your brand represents - at the very least, they’ll make your profile more inviting! You can even share milestones and accomplishments to reinforce your credibility.

Photos you might upload include:

• Clinic photos – inside and outside shots of your office or facility
• Achievements – highlights of awards or recognitions you’ve earned
• Certifications – proof of your qualifications and expertise
• Branding material – logos, visuals, or promotional designs that reflect your identity
• And more – anything that helps patients connect with your story and practice

Tip #6: Turn Patient Experiences into Your Strongest Referral Tool

Patient experiences aren’t just nice testimonials—they’re often the deciding factor when someone chooses a healthcare provider. More than credentials or pricing, real stories from satisfied patients build trust, shape impressions, and drive new clients to your practice. In fact, recommendations are one of the most effective ways to grow your patient base, because people trust people.

It’s important to nurture your patient experiences, and that takes intention. It starts with asking your patients to share their stories and recommendations on your portal. The more authentic experiences you showcase, the stronger your credibility and the more inviting your profile becomes.

How to ask patients to share their experience:

• Be cordial and genuine – bring it up naturally during rapport, not as a transaction.
• Choose the right moment – after a positive appointment or when a patient expresses gratitude.
• Frame it as mutual support – remind them you’re always helping them, and sharing their story helps you in return.
• Highlight the impact – explain that their words can guide others who are searching for trustworthy care.
• Encourage detail – the more specific their experience, the more persuasive it will be to prospective patients.

Patient experiences don’t just enhance your portal—they drive new patient flow, strengthens trust, and sets you apart in a crowded marketplace.

Note: Remember to briefly educate your patients about Materia+’s patient experience guidelinesbefore they share their experience on your portal. These guidelines highlight the do’s and the don’ts of sharing a patient experience.

Tip #7: Use the Right Focus Tags to Attract the Right Patients

To ensure that those seeking your services are in fact going to benefit from what you have to offer, you need to attach the right focus tags onto your profile that match your scope of practice. By doing so, those with health needs you are fit and prepared to treat will be the ones who approach your profile and ultimately book your services. Take a moment to go through the list of focus tags and identify which ones best fit your practice. Selecting focus tags that may be beyond your scope of practice will damage your reputation within the marketplace in the long run - so be mindful, and don’t be afraid to replace any tags if you find it attracts more visitors because of it.

Remember to also add the appropriate language tags to your profile.

All in All

Crafting an engaging client portal is about more than just filling out a profile—it’s about creating an experience that reflects your practice, builds trust, and draws patients in. From visuals and photos to badges, resources, and patient stories, every detail adds weight to your credibility and strengthens the patient–provider relationship. When you combine professionalism with authenticity, your portal becomes more than a listing—it becomes a living extension of your practice, one that attracts, informs, and inspires patients to choose you with confidence.