You might think that as long as your website provides some basic information about your practice — it’s good enough.
But did you know that 94% of the population grades a website on their first impression, which is usually design-related?
Or how about the fact that more than 75% of users judge a business by the look and design of its website?
In the competitive world of healthcare, a well-designed website can be the difference that drives new patients to your front door instead of your competition.
Read on to learn why website design plays an integral role in the healthcare industry and how to make sure your website is up to the task.
7 Key Benefits Of A Good Website For Healthcare Providers & Their Patients
A well-designed website can have many benefits for healthcare providers and patients.
Here are seven of the most important ones:
1.) Saving Time
Unlike other websites, which focus on boosting sales, the main advantage of a well-designed healthcare website is that it creates an online space where patients can learn more about the medical treatments and services available to them.
Moreover, patients don’t need to visit their doctor’s office to:
- Ask for prescriptions refills
- Schedule or reschedule appointments;
- Stay updated on changes in the working hours
- Consult with doctors
At the same time, doctors can tend to more patients, prioritize urgent cases, and save valuable time by automating manual tasks.
2.) Easier Access To Information
By building a website for your practice, you will provide access to information about the medical conditions, treatments, procedures, and services you offer.
Patients and their families will be able to easily find the information they need and even book an appointment or contact you.
This will make it easier for them to find the help they need.
3.) Building Trust & Credibility
Your website also gives you an opportunity to build trust and credibility by showing your patients who you are and what you have to offer.
This can have a huge impact on your practice and help you stand out from the competition.
4.) Encouraging Patients To Be Proactive
Most people still ignore medical issues despite all the ads and projects aiming to raise awareness about certain health issues.
A well-designed healthcare website can educate people on how to spot symptoms of illness and what to do if they experience them.
This could lead to more proactive patients, which would result in better health outcomes.
5.) Decreasing Patient Wait Times & Improving Patient Flow in Busy Waiting Rooms
A well-designed healthcare website can help streamline a patient’s experience, reducing their wait times.
With an online scheduling system, patients can book an appointment with just a few clicks.
Patients can also opt to fill out their forms online and submit them prior to their appointment, further increasing the speed and convenience of the appointment process.
6.) Helping To Navigate Patients Through The COVID 19 Protocols
Many healthcare providers’ websites now have detailed information about their COVID-19 protocols.
This includes information about the steps taken in the office to ensure a safe and healthy visit, such as allowing a certain number of people in the office at a time, implementing contactless check-ins or touchless temperature screenings.
Providing this information on your website helps to reassure patients and make them feel safe and secure.
7.) Attracts Potential New Clients
95% of the respondents in a US-based survey explained they read online reviews and check healthcare providers’ web pages before considering their services.
By having a well-designed, easy-to-navigate, and continuously updated webpage for your clinic, office, or hospital, you can:
- Showcase your services
- Highlight your specialization and specialties
- Increase the visibility of awards, recognition, and accolades
- Share positive patient experiences and reviews
All of this can have a tremendous effect on the number of patients you can attract.
Enhancing The UX Of Healthcare Websites: 3 Pro Tips
Creating a good website is no easy task — let alone a healthcare one.
To ensure the website is up-to-date and loved by visitors, here are three key tips that healthcare providers should keep in mind:
1.) State Whether The Practice Accepts Insurance
The first question most patients have is, “Does this practice accept my insurance?”.
It’s important to make sure they can find the answer in the very first seconds they land on the website.
So, make sure this information is highly visible on the homepage.
2.) Publish Valuable Content
By asking yourself questions such as “What information do I need to know as a patient” or “What would I want to see on a doctor’s webpage” healthcare providers can extract the important intel on what they need to include on their web page.
Of course, this can be easily done by checking some successful competitive web page practices or conducting patient surveys.
This is another great way to show them how you care and are willing to do everything to help them.
3.) Optimize Your Website For Mobile
According to Google, more Google searches take place on mobile devices than on computers in 10 countries, including the US.
Therefore, healthcare providers need to make sure their websites are fully optimized for mobile devices.
The patient experience must be seamless regardless of the chosen device.
How To Choose A Healthcare Website Design Service Provider
When choosing a healthcare web design service provider, it is important to consider several factors.
The first factor is the overall expertise of the web design agency and its ability to create websites that are tailored to the healthcare industry.
The second factor is the cost of the services provided.
Thirdly, it is good to research the reputation of the web design agency in the industry.
Aside from hiring a five-star custom web development company, you must choose a CMS suitable to your needs.
A strong CMS will allow flexible content management, a secure platform, and the ability to easily modify and update the website whenever necessary.
Wrapping Up: Healthcare Websites Improve The Overall Patient-Doctor Experience
One thing is certain: having a website for your medical business is a must.
It does not only make it easier for patients to find their way to your practice, but it also allows for a better overall experience for both patients and doctors.
From reducing wait times, building trust, encouraging patients to be proactive, and helping people navigate through COVID-19 protocols, healthcare websites are a great way to improve the patient-doctor relationship.
