The Science and Art of Building Effective Dental Websites
Dental websites are an essential tool for dental practices looking to increase new business and service existing patients.
(PRWEB) April 14, 2005 -- A dental website is no longer
a luxury, but a necessity, for dentists striving for the best practice possible.
No dental practice, large or small, should ignore the many benefits that come
from having its own, professional website. So what should practices consider
when launching them online or considering an overhaul?
There are two
types of dental websites to choose from: custom and prefabricated.
Custom websites will prove to be far more effective, look more professional, and
have longer-lasting value than the cheaper prefabricated versions. Every
practice is different, so a design company should take the time to understand
what the practice has to offer and convey that in their site.
Effective
websites take into account common practice management tasks, and integrate them
with online tools that not only create a marketing presence but also empower the
practice in its daily operations. Specific tools include keeping in touch with
patients through email newsletters, greeting cards, and special
promotions.
The companies that specialize in dental websites compile
newsletters that they prepare and deliver automatically on behalf of a dentist
to his or her patient database. Such dental newsletters, which can be updated on a regular basis on
the website and automatically emailed to patients, are extremely helpful in
keeping in touch with patients that do not come in as often. Additionally,
patients who subscribe may forward it to others, which could serve as a form of
referrals.
Another useful feature of custom dental web sites is the
ability to easily send out pre-scheduled email
cards for birthdays, appointments, various holiday, etc. Such e-cards, with
fun, professional designs, provide another great opportunity to keep in touch
with patients and improve patient relations, while minimizing the cost of
traditional cards and postage, not to mention save time.
Dental
practices should also consider providing potential patients with an incentive to
visit the office by having printable promotions or coupons on their website,
where allowable by law. After all, the hardest part is getting the patient to
come in for the first time.
Dental websites can also offer patients the
ability to schedule appointments, access patient forms, and even verify
insurance. This way, rather than request patients to come in fifteen to twenty
minutes early, practices can post their forms online and request patient go
online, print and complete them before coming in.
The opportunities for
dental
patient education are almost limitless; a dentist can provide informational
resources on preventative care and exercises, explanatory diagrams and
illustrations, and descriptions of the unique services of their practice.
A dental website can also assist the practice in selling
dental products to anyone, anywhere, and any time—not just to the existing
patient base of the practice. Dentists should not limit their opportunities —
current studies show the public is looking for dental information, by the
millions. Having an online presence now is crucial, not only in reaching new
patients but also retaining existing ones. By not being online, a dentist misses
out on 100 percent of the Internet-derived business he or she could
see.
These days dentists are expected to have a presence on the Internet
for potential patients. Instead of people running their fingers through the
Yellow Pages, many now click with their mouse through their browsers to
practices near them. The key to bringing in new patients who are searching
online for dental providers and information lies in search engine placement. Who
would want a website if no one can find it? Dentalmatrix.com excels at creating
a search engine and marketing campaign aimed at excellent placement with search
engines and directories, and uses both innovative and standard Search Engine
Optimization techniques. More traffic means more patients, a better bottom line,
and a dramatic return on investment.
Whether you have a current dental
web site that isn’t high enough quality, or if you have no web site to speak of,
the next decision is who should you turn to for the creation of your
professional website? In terms of working with a freelancer versus an
established company, as a general rule, it is usually best to work with a
company that will provide the necessary customer service and support. Even if
your “nephew Jimmy” or “nice kid down the street” can build you a professional
website to begin with – and that’s a big “if” – will they be around when you
need to update your website, or will they be off to college, or what have you?
It helps to find a company who can identify with the practice and even
specializes in dental websites. A company or freelancer that does not specialize
in the dental field will require significant amount of time from the dentist in
developing the content and educational materials for the website.
There
is probably no need to dump $10,000 into a dental website, but an investment of
about $2,000 should be expected. A dentist can no longer maintain the mindset
that “the computer is just for my kids.” A practice without a professional
website will be an immediate turnoff for more and more potential patients each
and every day.
Yamia Benhaim is the founder of Dentalmatrix.com, A
design firm specializing in custom website design and consulting for the dental
community. She can be contacted at 800.398.3933 or through the website dentalmatrix.com
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/4/prweb227912.htm