Why Dentists need to have a website?

Why Have a Website?

What Benefits Can Be Expected From a Web Presence?

When patients look for a dentist or doctor they can trust, one of the first places they turn to is the Internet. That means it is imperative for every practice to establish its own unique web presence. A website delivers professionally effective at attracting new patients and gaining case acceptance. Having a website help reflects your values, vision and commitment to patients.

Just a few reasons why Dentists need a website or an online identity:

* According to IntelliQuest, 68% of web users shop online. This means they shop for dentists too!

It has been said, “if you are not online, you soon could be in the breadline.”

* To provide basic information that establishes credibility – just as a listing in the Yellow Pages shows Dentists are serious about their practice. Having own professional domain name with e-mail and a website reinforces the legitimacy as a serious practice.

* To streamline the appointment process.

* To provide a map and directions to the office location. Sometimes finding is the hard part.

* To give patients all the information about the practice at their fingertips 24/7.

* To reduce costs, use site to answer most frequently asked questions, show products and services over the web instead of paying for printing brochures.

* To introduce self and staff with pictures and bios.

* Impress patients with a virtual tour of the office without even having to leave their house.

* Allow patients to contact dentists practice and respond at their convenience.

Improving Marketing Performance and Reach

A medical or dentist office's website isn't just about providing information. To be effective, it has to drive new patients to a practice, strengthen patient loyalty and stimulate case acceptance.

Here are some benefits of having a website especially in today’s network economy:

A website provides an instant visual presentation:

Not every organization can afford television advertising, but a website provides a visualization element and is always available to anyone with Internet access. If a customer has questions that can be better answered on a website than over the phone, this is a valuable asset to your marketing mix.

A website can be found through search engines:

There is a good possibility that you found this website through a search engine (such as Google or Yahoo!). Usually between 80 and 95 percent of all website traffic comes from search engines, and that is also true of this website. This means that you can get visits from people who are actively looking for you, your product, your service, or your information. A website is an extremely cost effective way to advertise to those who are already interested in what you have to offer.

A website is always available:

There is no other medium for being available 24/7/365 that even compares to a website. With the modest cost of developing a website (or "cost" in time of doing your own website) and making it available on the Internet, there is nothing even close to being as cost effective. In addition, printed materials are easily misplaced. Television and radio commercials air at preset times. A website can be visited at a time that is convenient for the visitor, and they will have more interest because they want to be there on your website.

A website is interactive:

Even just a few years ago, most websites were nothing more than an electronic brochure. Their real potential was not being realized. That has now changed dramatically. Website visitors have the ability to control and interact with a well designed website. You can take a virtual tour, spin an object around to see all sides, and much more. The real magic is that each website visitor interacts with what they want to, when they want to, and how they want to.

A website targets each visitor exclusively:

Every visitor's needs are met with a good website design. If you have exactly what they are looking for, then you have the opportunity to provide all the information they need. You have their attention because they are already interested. By strategically planning your website, you can customize each area to the type of website visitor who can benefit from it. It is also possible to program the same page on a website to display different information to different users, making your website even more personalized.

A website is easily updated:

Unlike printed materials, which require a separate setup for each change, and then additional printing time, websites can be changed on a minute by minute basis if needed. The expensive production costs of video, and the editing time needed for a good advertisement, make websites even more attractive. Plus, video can be provided on a website, and printed materials can be made available for download on a website.

A website saves on printing and mailing costs:

By making printed materials available on a website, it benefits both you and your website visitors. They have instant access and do not have to wait for your mail to arrive, and you save on printing and mailing. The printed materials have even more impact because you can illustrate things on your website while they are visiting, things such as movements and animation, that printed materials cannot show.

A website improves customer relations:

Aside from the fact that when a customer asks for your website address, they expect you to have one, there are benefits so numerous to mention.Customers can make an informed buying decision. If they are deciding between you and a competitor, your website could mean the difference between who gets the business. It also provides a way for customers to benefit after a sale. If you provide information or support through a website that makes them happier about buying from you, it strengthens your business. By providing an opt-in mailing list, your customers and website visitors will give you permission to contact them about special offers or additional things they may be interested in purchasing from you.