There are a handful of private practice website mistakes that owners and managers routinely make. A website for your practice should immediately inform and engage. If your website hits are not turning into leads, read on.
When a potential client visits your site, it is to either make an appointment or to learn about the conditions you treat or the service you offer. This is a golden opportunity to reach out and engage. Here are 5 classic practice website mistakes that prevent this from happening:You haven’t upgraded your site for mobile devices
More people are using their smartphones to use the Internet than desktop computers. If your website is not easily viewed on a phone or tablet, you are missing out on a lot of potential clients. Can visitors get your details, make appointments or fill in forms easily, without pinching and zooming on their phones? Remember that mobile users often have a different agenda to desktop computer users – they are more likely to be looking for your contact details, business hours, appointment forms or location map. Are these given priority when your website is viewed on a smartphone? Go on, take a look at your site on your phone. If not, or you are not sure, contact us.
Bad, outdated content
What engages people and makes people want to stay on your site is content. This means informative articles about you and your field. Good, original content is what people like and is the way to appear higher in search engine rankings. You’re an expert – start a blog, prepare eBooks, write articles – just share your knowledge.
If a visitor to your site clicks on different pages to find out more, it’s great because it helps your search engine ranking and means he or she is engaging. But if your site has links that are broken, links to incorrect pages or takes visitors down a rabbit hole of pages, your visitors will be turned off. It is unprofessional, lazy and your visitors will assume the same of your clinic.
Also remember to update things like your business hours, class timetables, staff profiles and so on. It makes you look bad when you have to say “oh sorry, the info on our website hasn’t been updated.”
You’re not personal enough
Health businesses in private practice give a personal service to local residents. Potential clients want to know about the person who will be treating them. Include some personal information about who you are, how long you have been in the area and what makes you unique. If you do work in the community, share it. Using photos is a good idea for visitors to get a feel for who you are. Whilst clinical information can be a great way to highlight your ability and give specific information, most clients want to see that an engaging, personable human being will tend to their needs.
A fussy homepage
Your homepage is often the first impression that visitors get of your business. Many people creating a website for the first time think more is better so they add lots of stock photos and animations. This is confusing for potential clients. Remember – clients want to determine what it is you do and how you do it. They do not want silly animations or irrelevant pictures. Always remember that your homepage should attract visitors’ attention and guide them towards a course of action. Use visual cues where appropriate but make sure they are tasteful. Less is often more – provide information in clear and simple ways with consistent formatting throughout.
Be reachable
Many people will visit your website to contact you. So your contact details should be easily accessible. Make sure your clients can find appointment forms, telephone numbers, business hours and location maps. Make it is easy as possible for visitors to make an appointment. As discussed before, contact details and maps are especially important on the mobile version of your site.
Follow these steps to avoid classic clinic website mistakes and you will be on the right track to engaging with your potential clients.