Landing page
Your first impression is a big deal. The following rule applies to every website º no matter what industry, and no matter what purpose it was created for: Everything that a user wants to find at first glance should be on the first page. In the case of a medical website, these will be the consultation hours, a telephone number, and the essential services offered.
Further contact information, directions, or current news should be found easily via the main navigation menu. In short, if you want to create a medical website, it’s best to first think about how to design your landing page. Ideally, a medical website builder should allow you to provide an overview of all the essential contents of the site on your landing page.
Opening hours
Consultation hours are often the main reason why patients will look up a medical website. The hours should be listed on your landing page, but can also be given their own menu item and listed again in the contact section. There are also medical websites that create a footer with their office hours so that they can be found at the bottom of each web page.
Changes, cancellations, and differing consultation hours (e.g. during the holidays) must be clearly indicated on your medical website.
News
The “News” section can cover much more than new office hours or a change in the team. There are always new medical findings, and the medical community is constantly updating its research and attending training courses, conferences, and seminars. You can also inform your clients about these kinds of things under “News.” In most cases, short summaries are enough, because your website will most likely be aimed at patients, rather than at colleagues who are interested in medical presentations.
The patient simply needs to be given the impression that they will be given state of the art care, which will be achieved if you give them a good impression. This also applies to new medical devices, which you should also mention on your website.
Booking appointments
Interactive features won’t need to play a huge part when creating a medical website. You can avoid a user-centered design, and opt instead for a human-centered design – this will also provide the function to book and manage appointments.
An online function for making appointments can be easily integrated when creating a medical website. Ready-made systems that can be implemented directly into your own website are easily found, and don’t require a lot of tech knowledge. These differ in terms of price and scope of services, and some offer only a simple appointment function, while others are full-service tools that automatically remind patients of their appointments and can even manage findings and prescriptions online.
Contact
A modern practice will offer various contact options, including a telephone number, email, and possibly a contact form that helps to arrange inquiries thematically. A fax number is also still important, e.g. if a health insurance company needs to exchange information with the practice.
This kind of contact information is essential, and a precise description of how to get there is just as important. A Google Maps function with the exact location of your medical practice can be easily embedded into your medical website. Visitors to the site then only need to click on it to see how they can get to the practice from their location.
Services
A website for doctors should offer much more information than can be found on a business card. After all, patients want to learn more about the services of the practice in advance. A detailed breakdown of all the services you offer should be made available on your website – form routine check-ups to specialized care, or even complementary medical services.
Your team
This is where you can introduce the entire practice team – a lot of people will get an impression of your team via this page, so it helps to have a good introduction. Pictures say more than a thousand words – the photos you use should be bright and friendly, but professional all the same. It is often worth having the pictures taken by a professional photographer.
Imprint
An Imprint helps lend your medical website an air of increased professionalism. It confirms to your clients who is in charge, and how to get in touch.
Privacy policy
A privacy policy is so important nowadays. People want to know how their data is being protected, and this applies all the more to medical websites. Having a well written privacy policy is a must. Knowing about the HIPAA and HITECH acts is essential, and you may wish to consult an expert in order to ensure you’re compliant.