Dentistry and the Internet. The two don’t seem to have much in common, but if you don’t know why they should, keep reading!
If you run a dental practice, you probably know that just working on your patients’ teeth isn’t everything. It is a business to run like any other, administration, inventory, and sales and marketing are day-to-day things that need to be handled. Learn more information about this article.
So what can be gained from having a website?
A website can be a great boost to any practice. As of October 2005, it was estimated that there are 224 million Internet users in North America alone (2005, Internet World Stats). No other medium can reach so many people at a given time. Large metropolitan areas are literally saturated with Internet users and even the percentage of the population in rural areas is increasing rapidly. What does that mean to you?
Persistent Advertising – A website is a large piece of marketing material that is displayed 24/7 and is available to anyone with a computer and internet connection. Why spend thousands of dollars on flyers or mass mailings that are sent randomly instead of to those who are looking for it? A well designed and marketed website will drive business right to your door!
Your Online Practice – This is really the face of your online practice. You don’t have to be rich and famous to present yourself well. It is also a place where you can share your knowledge, send advice to your patients and promote contests, events or events in the office.
Tech Factor – Having an online presence allows you to show your patients that you are a high-tech office, even if you have been in business for 30 years! Online communication is fast becoming the most used method of sharing and sending information, let a website help you!
Business Asset – Having a well-established website can be a great asset to your practice. A well-designed, maintained, and up-to-date website can be a great source of income, sending new patients to your door. Looking to sell or expand your practice? A good website can also benefit you.
Information Center – Many times when patients call, their questions could have been answered with a quick look online. This saves staff time and prevents your patients from trying to find time to call you or having to wait until you’re open the next day. Most people will go online for a minute to find an answer instead of looking in a phone book.
So now you need a website (or a better one)… What do you do now?
Dental websites can be created by anyone with a computer and there are plenty of companies that will set you up with a website for just a few dollars a month, but going this route will not give you the online presence you want and need. Here are some tips on what a good dental website will give you:
Have the website designed around you. Make it your vision that you want to share with current and future patients. Colors, styling, and content can be designed to suit what you like and want to display. Search online for styles and website designs that you like, not only from other dentists, but also from stores, large corporations, or any other company that you like to explore.
Jennifer Calderon 