subject: Why Do Dentists, Medical Professionals, And Small Business Owners Need A Website [print this page] The whole world is online, so to succeed, you must be too. Majority of Americans shop and do research online, gathering information anonymously from the privacy of their home. Shoppers for all kinds of commodities, including medical and dental services, increasingly prefer to be fully informed before they call or make a personal visit. If you don't have a website, you are likely losing business to medical offices that do.
Having a website can also save money for businesses who advertise in the print media or Yellow Pages, as those kinds of advertisement may be quite expensive. (Keep in mind that with the increased use of cell phones, many households no longer receive Yellow Pages because they've disconnected their home land lines.) Also, print sources usually allow very limited space for advertised content, so business owners who wish to provide their clients with comprehensive information have only the option - also costly - to print brochures.
By contrast, a good website represents your medical office in depth and makes a favorable first impression on potential customers. It provides easy 24/7 access to all the resources of your office: hours of operation, location and directions, contact information, downloadable forms, and educational videos. You will be able to give a virtual tour of your office, introduce yourself and your staff with pictures and biographies, and share customer testimonials. A website will also save time for your staff by streamlining appointment process and providing FAQ.
Your site speaks volumes about your business, so make sure it represents you in the best possible light. If you want a website featuring modern design, efficient structure, and ease of navigation, resist the temptation of asking your teenage son for help and hire professionals. The good news is that a great website doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg: while prices of web-design giants are high, smaller companies without corporate overhead usually have reasonable pricing schemes and greater flexibility in customizing a project to fit the client' budget.
Another consideration is uniqueness of your site: many office and business websites look like carbon copies of each other because they were designed using similar templates, and if you strive for originality, make sure the company you choose for your project understands your goals and can ensure a creative outcome. Also, people often complain that many medical, dental, and spa sites' portfolios and patient galleries feature the same few models, which is usually the result of companies' sharing stock image databases; if this aspect of design is important for your website, consider using authentic client pictures and original imagery.
If desired, it's a good idea to invest into promoting your site: search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, and paid advertisement such as Google AdWords are all common techniques that will push your website up the search engine results list. If you don't opt for promotion, once your website is up you will only be paying small maintenance and support fees; make sure you discuss with your developer where do you have to turn for future updates. Once the site is up, you will start enjoying the benefits. Investing in a quality website is likely to pay off sooner than your expect, and businesses often notice an increase in the number of new clients within several months.
