As an orthodontic practice, it's important that your website design reflects your brand and gives visitors the best possible impression of your business.
Now, you may be wondering, "What do you mean, my brand, I'm an orthodontist!" And yes, having a brand is part of being in business and effectively marketing your services! So, here's a look at what your brand is and how you can make sure your message conveys what you want customers to know about your orthodontic practice:
Yes, Orthodontists Have Brands!
Brands are not just for clothing or tech companies! Your brand simply refers to your practice's professional image. It encompasses what your company is, what it does, and what it stands for, including your values and main competitive selling points. This also includes your practice's personality!
Yes, your logo is part of all of that, but it goes so far beyond just a custom image.
Branding is more than a logo
A brand is more than just a logo, though that's part of it. In addition to the things we mentioned above, your brand includes additional visual features that are ideally present in your logo, but also throughout your site and practice. This can include the colors you use on your website and in your office, the type of language you use to talk about your services, and the overall feeling or personality you want customers to associate with your business.
For example, if you want to convey that your practice is friendly and approachable, you might use softer colors like blues and greens, along with language that emphasizes customer service. If you want to come across as more modern and cutting-edge, you might choose a sleek black-and-white color scheme for your site and use language that discusses the latest technology you use in your practice.
As a medical professional, you have a specific set of patients you serve. You want to make sure your brand helps those patients find you! If you are a pediatric orthodontist but your branding is boring and formal, you are going to have a much harder time helping parents find your practice and make their kids your patients.
Your Website Design Should Reflect Your Brand Personality
Your website is often the first impression potential patients will have of your brand! So, it's important that every page on your site accurately reflects your branding.
This means everything from making sure the colors you use are consistent with the colors in your logo to using language that accurately reflects how you want your practice to be perceived.
It can be helpful to look at your website with fresh eyes and ask yourself if it accurately reflects the brand personality you are trying to create. If not, don't worry! You can always make changes to ensure a better match.
Some of the most common ways to reflect your brand on your website include:
- Using your logo colors throughout your site
- Creating custom graphics that reflect your brand personality
- Writing copy that is consistent with the way you talk about your practice
- Including testimonials and patient stories that reinforce your brand values
If you are not sure where to start, our team of website design experts at The Diamond Group can help! We will work with you to make sure your site accurately reflects your brand and helps you attract the patients that need you.
You can learn more about our work with dentists and orthodontists here, or contact us after you finish reading these tips!
How to figure out your practice personality
"What if I don't know my practice personality?" you may be asking. There's a few things you can ask yourself to figure it out: Who are my ideal patients What do I want them to think of when they hear my practice name? What feeling do I want them to have when they visit my website or office?
Start by making a list of adjectives that describe how you want your practice to be perceived. Do you want to be seen as friendly, modern, caring, etc.? Once you have a list of adjectives, you can start to narrow it down and figure out which ones are most important to you. You may also want to ask yourself what sets your practice apart from the competition. What are your unique selling points?
Once you have a good understanding of your practice personality, you can start to incorporate it into every aspect of your business, from your website design to the way you answer the phone. But, time to focus back on your website design and how that helps you build on this personality foundation!
Your Website Design Should Be User Friendly
No matter how amazing your website design is, it won't do you any good if potential patients can't figure out how to use it.
Your website should be easy to navigate, with clear calls to action that tell visitors what you want them to do. All of your important information should be easy to find, and phone numbers or contact forms should be prominently displayed in case visitors need to get in touch with you.
Make it mobile-friendly
It's also important to make sure your website design is responsive, which means it will adjust to fit any screen size. With more and more people using their phones and tablets to browse the web, you want to make sure your site looks just as good on a small screen as it does on a desktop computer.
Pay attention to readability
When it comes to your website's content, make sure it is easy to read and understand. Use short paragraphs, clear headlines, and bullet points whenever possible. You also want to make sure the font you are using is legible and easy on the eyes.
Use high-res images
The photos and graphics you use on your website are also important. They should be high quality and reflect the overall tone of your site. If you are using stock photos, make sure they are relevant to your practice and look natural. The last thing you want is for potential patients to visit your website and be turned off by low-quality photos or graphics.
What Many Orthodontic Websites Forget
Now that you understand the importance of having a well-designed website that accurately reflects your brand, let's take a look at some of the most common mistakes orthodontic practices make with their websites.
Clearly listing services and explaining them
One of the most common mistakes is failing to include enough information about the practice. Potential patients want to know who you are, what services you offer, and what sets you apart from the competition.
Make sure your website includes an About Us page that tells visitors who you are and what your practice is all about. You should also have a Services page that outlines the different treatments you offer, as well as any specialties or areas of expertise. And don't forget to include a section on your team, so potential patients can get to know the faces behind the practice.
Patient testimonials
Another common mistake is forgetting to include patient testimonials. These are a great way to build trust and show potential patients that you are an authority in your field. Make sure to include at least a few testimonials on your website, and make sure they are from real patients. If you don't have any testimonials, now is the time to start collecting them!
Your own credentials
Many orthodontic websites also forget to include information about the doctor's credentials and awards. This is an important way to show potential patients that you are qualified to treat them. Include a section on your website that lists your credentials, as well as any awards or recognitions you have received.
How to Start Designing Your Orthodontic Website
Now that you know all of the important elements your orthodontic website should have, it's time to start designing! But with all the options available, this can feel like an intimidating task.
Hint: Don't Do It Alone!
Your website is often the first impression potential patients have of your practice, so you want to make sure it accurately reflects your brand. At The Diamond Group, we specialize in creating custom websites that capture the unique personality of each of our clients. We have decades of experience working with orthodontists, dentists, and other healthcare professionals, so we understand the sensitive nature of your services and how to keep your patients in mind.
The Diamond Group Can Design Your Website to Match Your Brand Personality
We want your patients to get to know the real you so they can start benefitting from your treatments! When we design your website, we take the time to get to know you and your practice, so we can create a site that truly reflects your brand.
And, because we understand the importance of SEO, we make sure your website is designed with search engines in mind, so you can attract more leads and convert more patients.
Start Designing Your Orthodontic Website with TDG Today!
If you're ready to get started on designing the perfect website for your orthodontic practice, contact us today! We'll be happy to answer any of your questions and get you started on the design process.
