Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Do you own a smartphone? If you answered yes, then you are among the 45% of US adults who do, and the number of users is quickly growing. Smartphones play a major role in the lives of busy Americans, and having instant Internet access at their fingertips has changed from a luxury to a necessity.
By now, most dentists are aware of the importance of a well-designed dental practice website, and the role it plays within the practice marketing plan to reach new patients and grow the practice. A standard website, however, does not function well when accessed on a smartphone, so changes must be made in order to keep the website functioning at its optimal.
Designing your dental practice website so it can be accessed in a special format that is easily viewable from a handheld device is referred to as mobile optimization. This is the hot marketing buzzword for 2013 and provides an amazing opportunity for dentists.
What is mobile?
Simply put, mobile technology is marketing via a mobile device, most commonly a smartphone, but also including the increasingly popular tablet devices. Now more than ever, people go online to find information and research healthcare providers. In fact, according to Sesame Communications, 139 million consumers use the Internet to seek healthcare information on a monthly basis, so it is essential for your website to be easily accessed by the online community.
Is there a difference between my existing website and a mobile website?
Absolutely. Mobile websites are all about convenience. A dentist’s mobile website needs to be a streamlined version of the desktop website. Smartphone users are looking for specific information and need to find it quickly. The practice phone number, online scheduling features, driving directions and patient testimonials all need to be part of the mobile website, making the information easy to find for the mobile user.
Appearance-wise, however, the mobile website should mirror the desktop version. Any branding elements used in the desktop version—a distinct font, the practice logo or color scheme—should remain the same in order for patients to recognize the practice, whether they are on a computer, tablet or smartphone.
Do dentists need mobile-optimized sites?
In short, yes. 90% of smartphone users use their device to access local information, and 87% of users take action after accessing the local content. Dental practice websites should engage patients looking to learn more about the practice and the services offered, and mobile technology makes it seamless for dentists reach out to patients using their smartphones.
In 2012, Pew Internet research found that 31% of Americans used their cell phones to look for health and medical information online. If your dental practice website cannot be accessed from a smartphone, the result is countless missed opportunities to connect with potential patients.
These days, people are busier than ever and growing increasingly reliant on their smart phones to instantly provide them with the information they need. Patients must be able to access your dental practice website whether they are at home or on the go. Optimizing your website for mobile technology ensures it will continue to serve as a powerful tool for practice growth in the future.