By 
Healthcare professionals, whether you’re a doctor or a nurse, the way your website looks, and functions is important. If you want to attract new patients and retain current ones, then here are some web design tips for healthcare professionals to keep in mind:
1. Keep it simple, clean, and highly readable
This one should be a no-brainer. Yet too many medical websites have cluttered pages filled with so much information that it’s hard to find what you need. The best way to handle the seemingly endless content is through good sectional structuring. For example, instead of trying to stuff all your lab results into one block, break them up into subsections based on the system it affects (i.e., liver/kidney). This way, users can easily move through each result set and digest what needs to be done next.
2. Offer informative services around the clock
Patients are accustomed to getting information 24/7 by simply Googling their problems. So, it’s only natural that they expect the same of your company. Make sure your website is designed to be mobile-friendly so users can get this information on the go. Another thing to consider is offering a live chat function for patients who are looking for instant answers or assistance during odd hours.
3. Make it easy to find contact info
Patients don’t want to comb through pages of your website just to get the information they need. So, make sure you have a section dedicated to contact info, which includes your address, phone number(s), and email addresses. And if possible, display this in an easily visible section where people can see it right away. If you have many centers like, say, probably a bariatric website design, then you should ensure that your site has contact info for each center as well.
4. Incorporate video, audio, and other multimedia if applicable
Nowadays, smartphones have the capability to play videos and audio files, so there’s no reason you shouldn’t take advantage of this feature. For example, instead of having a photo gallery with tiny thumbnails that are hard to see on mobile devices, you can add a link to a YouTube video with much larger thumbnails. Just make sure you use these features sparingly and in conjunction with the other tips mentioned above.
5. Stock up on high-quality photos
Photos are powerful elements that evoke emotion and really help patients visualize and understand what you’re talking about. To make sure your images convey the right message, stock up on high-resolution images (i.e., 300 DPI). If possible, avoid using stock images whenever possible since this comes off as fake and unprofessional. You can also include photos in case studies to help illustrate the benefits of your services.
You may also like: Medical Website Design Tips for Bariatric Surgeons
6. Browse other medical websites
This is one of the best ways to get ideas on how you can make your website more productive. Browse other medical websites and see what works well, as well as what doesn’t. This should be a no-brainer, but there are still sites that have poor navigation or lack an easy way to access contact info. So, to avoids these mistakes, just take a look at other medical websites for inspiration.
7. Offer easy-to-read text formatting
The best way to make your writing more appealing is through proper formatting and layout. Use subheadings within each section so readers can find their way around without stumbling upon the same content again and again. Also, use bullets and numbered lists for long passages so users can get a gist of what you’re saying without having to read every word.
8. Write with keywords in mind
Writing for search engines can be difficult because you want your copy to be informative yet engaging at the same time. The best way to do this is through good research and planning. And if possible, get someone with SEO know-how to help you come up with high-quality content that’s optimized for search engines.
9. Optimize Your Website for Mobile Devices
Today, an estimated 53% of the population owns a smartphone. On top of that, Google favors sites that are mobile-friendly when it comes to its ranking algorithm. Because so many patients are searching online rather than driving to the doctor’s office, your website should be highly accessible for both desktop and mobile users. If you’re not sure how good your site is at this, check it out on Google’s Mobile Testing Tool.
10. Make Your Site Accessible to People Who are Deaf
This part might seem a bit odd coming from a web design blog, but it’s a part of medical web design that not enough people know about! More and more hearing-impaired individuals are using online video to communicate. Because of this, it is important that your website uses captions for any videos on the homepage. If you’re looking for a tool to do this, check out the Google Docs Video Transcriber.
Bonus tip: Limit the use of CTAs
CTA stands for “call-to-action,” which is essentially what you want your user to do when they interact with your website. This could be subscribing to your newsletter or calling to set up an appointment.
Follow these ten medical web design tips to make sure your website will be ready for the future of healthcare!
Comments