The internet is a big place, and there are lots of dental websites out there. Websites are no longer just an option for dental professionals who want to grow their practices; they are a necessary part of the marketing mix. With more people online than ever before, patients are likely to search Google for dentists in their area. If you want to be found online, you've got to have a modern, lightning-fast website that patients can trust.
It takes time and strategy to become the number one dental website in your area and to attract new patients, but it’s well worth the time to build a successful practice. So, how do you make your website stand out from the competition? Here are five easy ways to up your dental website game.
Add photos of your staff and office
Patients want to know who they’re going to see and where they’re going when they book an appointment. It's not just about having images of your staff members on your website; it's about showcasing the friendly, human side of your practice. Share pictures of the team as they celebrate birthdays or go out to lunch together. Show off how much your staff loves working at your practice.
Images of your team encourage people to think about how they’ll be treated as friends, not just another patient. Showing authenticity in these images is important. It's a chance to show the team is more than just professionals in white lab coats. (However, you don't want them to look like they're headed down the red carpet either!) Keep your images human and friendly. Don't be afraid to share pictures of team members with their families, pets, or doing something they love.
It's also great to post pictures on holidays. This shows patients that you value team building and a good work/life balance. Some patients may feel like dentists are not friendly or easy to work with, and pictures like these can ease their anxiety. The images on your website should be a representation of who you are as a practice. Be human, be real, and show off your culture. You want people to feel like they're visiting family when they come to your practice.
Create a blog where you discuss dental care topics
Without a blog, it's difficult to show people that you’re an authority in the dental field. Blogging regularly about topics related to dentistry will not only make your practice more trustworthy, but this is also a way to rank on Google when someone searches for keywords or phrases related to your blog.
Creating a blog is simple when you work with the right web-building professionals. Although it might seem a little overwhelming at first to write about dental and community topics, you’ll find that once you get started, writing won't feel so difficult. To start, you could write about the challenges of being a dentist, why you love making people smile, or what not to DIY when it comes to dental health.
Give patients the chance to chat with you online
Patients may feel anxious about calling you or may not have the time to call your practice for information. If you want to make scheduling an appointment easier, give patients the chance to chat with you via text or email, or book an appointment through an online scheduler.
The ability to schedule online gives patients the convenience of booking without having to call your office and talk to someone directly. This will allow your team the opportunity to be more efficient with their time because they’re dealing with fewer calls from people who may not be ready for treatment.
Create strong calls to action
While it's important to get people to find you and click on your website, it's not enough to get them to land on the home page. One of the most important parts of a successful dental website is to make sure that each page has a call to action. Do this by asking yourself what you want patients to do before they leave your site, then map out an easy way for them to do it. For example, if you have a blog article about whitening treatments, include a button or link that says something like “Request teeth whitening treatment!” or "Find out more about teeth whitening!" Make it easy to contact your office and eliminate any confusion about how to get more information.
Ensure your website is easy to navigate and mobile-friendly
People are always on the go, so it's important that your website is easy to navigate on any device. If patients can't figure out how to schedule an appointment or get directions to your practice, they may just leave your site in search of another practice.
When patients can easily find what they’re looking for no matter what device they’re on, they are much more likely to call or make an appointment. There is also a degree of transference: when a dentist has a clean, professional website, patients assume they have a clean, professional practice.
Include a testimonial section on your website
Word-of-mouth referrals are still one of the best ways to gain the trust of new patients. The good news is that word-of-mouth is now happening online through Google and Facebook reviews. If you want your website to reach its full potential, create a page that is dedicated to showing off your positive online reviews and patient testimonials.
Before they step into your reception area, potential patients see reviews online as part of their research process. Don't forget this valuable resource when meeting new people throughout the day. Let them know how much you value their feedback and ask if they would like to help you by leaving a review on Google or Facebook.
It’s clear that your website is crucial for attracting and converting new dental patients. That means you need to make sure it has all the bells and whistles of a modern website, including an easy-to-navigate layout and mobile compatibility, along with showcasing your practice culture and what makes you different from the competition.
We understand that you are a dentist, not a website designer. That’s where the dental website experts at My Social Practice step in. Check out what a new dental website can do for your practice.
Adrian Lefler is the vice president of My Social Practice and manages the dental marketing team. If you would like to book him to speak at your event, you you may do so on the company’s dental marketing expert page.
