Your website is very likely a person’s first impression of your clinic, so ask yourself: are you absolutely satisfied and completely confident that it successfully represents your clinic? 
Your website is your greatest asset in marketing to new patients and connecting with existing patients, and in today’s technologically advanced world, it’s easy to understand why having an up-to-date website is essential for your business. It can be tricky to know exactly how to design a webpage and what to post though, but we’ve got you covered. Here’s how and why you need to upgrade your healthcare website:
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Mobile-Friendly 
‍In our modern digital world, it’s simply imperative that a website is mobile-friendly. About 60% of website traffic is via mobile devices*, so it’s safe to assume that your website is being viewed more often from a phone than a computer. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, then viewers may think your clinic is outdated which could lead to the loss of potential patients. 
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Outdated
‍Even if the website is mobile-friendly, it may still be outdated and need revamping. If the website looks behind the times, then a patient may think your business and products are behind the times, too. Trends on the internet are constantly changing, and it’s vital to stay updated on the latest fads to best meet the public’s preferences.
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New Material
‍Along with ensuring your website isn’t outdated, it’s important to frequently upload new content and graphics. Updating your website with fresh content that’s relevant to current trends will enhance patient engagement and raise your rankings on search engines.
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SEO Content
‍Having rich search engine optimization (SEO) content on a website is vital in increasing the website’s visibility on search engines because it raises the chances of potential new patients finding your website. A great way to optimize SEO is by having a blog which is frequently updated with new content and relevant keywords, as this will increase your site’s visibility and website traffic.
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Social Media
‍Ensuring your website has links to the clinic’s social media is essential because it increases SEO, encourages people to follow the pages and thus keeps your clinic relevant in their minds, and builds trust as it exemplifies authenticity.
Note - If your clinic doesn’t have social media, then get started now! Check out our blog How Social Media Benefits the Healthcare Industry to see why it’s so important! (link to blog).
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Navigation
‍Take a look at your website from an objective standpoint and determine if it’s simple for others to navigate. Are there too many menu options? Can someone easily find the information that they need? People want simple and convenient, so examine your website and consider redesigning it in a way that patients would easily be able to navigate. 
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STAND OUT
‍While you’re going over your website to determine if it’s easy to navigate, also review how it does, or doesn’t, stand out from other healthcare websites. You want your website to make a lasting impression because, let’s face it, there are dozens of other medical clinics that are offering similar (if not the same) services. What makes your business stand out? Make your website distinctive and memorable because a successful, reliable business should have a successful looking website.
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Security
‍Lastly, but most importantly, ensure that your website is properly secured through regular upgrades and frequent security check-ups. A frightening truth is that there is a hacking attack every 39 seconds**, so it is of the utmost importance that your website is securely coded to protect against getting hacked. If your website does get hacked, it can become infected with viruses which impair SEO, damage trust amongst website visitors, and can lead to loss of potential patients and revenue. 
Upgrading and keeping your website updated can be a challenging and demanding process, but it’s an essential strategy in marketing your clinic to increase patient engagement and revenue. Remember, it’s not just about having a nice-looking website; it’s about creating something that successfully promotes your clinic, distinguishes your business from the rest, and encourages patients to want to receive care from your practice.