Your website can be a powerful marketing tool, or it can be an embarrassment and a waste of money. Just having a website isn’t the same as having a fresh, inviting website that enhances your client experience.
Having an outdated website, one that’s incomplete or has grammatical errors, can make you seem like you don’t keep current with marketing trends. This can translate into how your practice is viewed: prospective patients might assume that means your practice is outdated and does not keep up with dental technology, new products, or newer treatments. If you have a dingy old website languishing out there with broken links, bios of former employees, or unfinished “coming soon” sections, that does not contribute to your practice’s image. On the contrary, it detracts from the image you have worked hard to build.
Here are some suggestions.
- Explain all your services, and consider having a FAQ (frequently asked questions) section
- Give patient promotions – for example “15% off whitening services this month only”
- Consider offering online payment options – site visitors will love the convenience
- Include bios of doctors and staff so patients feel comfortable knowing who is treating them
- Make sure your site is optimized for mobile viewing – more patients are using mobile devices than desktops nowadays
You will need to set aside time at regular intervals to make sure everything is still current and functional. It is worth investing in a professional website and hiring a graphic designer to create a professional looking logo. Branding helps you set yourself apart from other practices.
A word of caution with your website undertaking: if you have your designer create it and then hand it over to you to continue with updates, make sure you are realistic about the time and energy you or your staff have for updates. For example, if you have a blog or an Ask the Doctor feature, be sure it is something you’ll be able to keep up with. Many businesses get ambitious and want to have all sorts of bells and whistles, but they get busy and these features don’t get updated. This is a bigger detractor than if the website had just been kept simple enough to be regularly maintained in the first place. No one wants to click on a blog, promotional offer, or Ask the Doctor and find that the last entry is from 2014.
If you know that you and your staff have too much to do to give your website proper attention, you may want to consider hiring someone to manage your website. Although it is an additional expense, keep in mind that your website is a powerful marketing tool and should be seen as an investment.
For more information, please see the full article.
Note: This content is accurate as of the date published above and is subject to change. Please seek professional advice before acting on any matter contained in this article.
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