How Well Is Your Website Working For You?

I recently had a meeting with a client who wanted to discuss making some changes to his website. He told me he was happy with the design of the website but wanted to be able to update the photos as they were a few years old; some of the staff had left and he had gotten new uniforms for his team. He also wanted to add in some information about Invisalign, a new service he is offering his patients. The most urgent matter was the email address...it was wrong! I asked my client if there was a content management system within the website so that he could make those changes. He wasn't sure and the company who designed and launched the site stopped answering his calls months ago!

Following the meeting I sat down to have a look at this particular website, I realised the website was definitely NOT working as well as it could be. The home page was blank with the exception of the company logo and an 'enter' button. Search Engines take information from this page, and if your home page is blank...guess what that will do to your Google rankings! I was alarmed by simple spelling mistakes...dental practise? The photos were sterile, randomly placed and had little relevance to the text, the font was tiny and so hard to read, there was no enquiries form, no content management system to make simple changes, no analytics program to track the traffic on the site, links that didn't work...the list goes on.

I created a proposal for my client that suggested the following:
- Restructuring the pages to make better use of the home page e.g. Information about Invisalign and other new services.
- Edit index tabs: having both an index that runs horizontally and vertically takes up space and is confusing to prospective clients.
- Increase text size for ease of readability.
- Edit text to update information and to ensure spelling and grammar is correct.
- Update images to create a different theme will compliment text and add a warmer feel to the site.
- Update images of staff so clients will know who they will be seeing.
- Implement a content management system so that images and information can be updated on a regular basis.
- Implement an analytics program to track usage of the site.
- Edit the writing of the site to enhance visibility in search engines.
- Add enquiries form so that it is easier for prospective clients to make contact.
- Add map to contact page.

If you have a website you may as well make sure that it is functioning to its highest capacity, or it could be hindering your business - not helping. I know that as health practitioners, your main focus is on your patients and ensuring you provide quality treatment and you don't always have time to spend on your website. My advise would be to ask yourself how well you think your website is working of you, and you have any doubts...give me a call!