Tips for Pediatric Websites
While we formed the legal structure of Wagger Designs in 2009, our founding members were doing business under the name of Wagger Designs for several years before that. While going through our customer archives I came across our very first customer, a Pediatric Dentist operating in the Adams Morgan area of Washington DC seeking a pediatric website for his practice that was unique and inspiring for his little patients and thier parents. While reminiscing on how much fun it was working with him to create a website tailored to parents with children, it reminded me of a few tips that medical and dental professionals, in general, could benefit from when looking for ideas for pediatric websites focused on the needs of these little patients and their parents.
Remember Your Audience
Don’t forget that as a pediatric dentist, your website design should appeal primarily to parents with children — not the children. Don’t fall into the trap of ignoring the needs of your patients’ parents while trying to make something childish and fun. This means that a pediatric website must be easy to read and navigate, but should still be as fun and creative as your practice. A website that balances the same fun-but-professional atmosphere your practice does will go a long way to setting you apart from the fierce competition amongst pediatric medical and dental professionals in Northern Virginia.
Show REAL Pictures
While seemingly cost-effective, the use of stock imagery is something that tends to turn off parents. Those parents researching professionals through their pediatric websites will pick up on reoccurring generic children very, very quickly and wonder what’s wrong with your people or practice that makes you not want to show real pictures.
Quality webdesign firms, such as Wagger Designs located in Northern Virginia, have photographers on staff who will take pictures of your actual staff and practice to alleviate the need for stock photography.
Show Images of Your Practice
Showing actual pictures of the examination area, operatories, waiting areas, and exterior location is very important for a pediatric website. Parents who visit your site want to see that the areas are clean and in good repair. Beyond knowing you keep up with your physical location, a sneak peak of your kid-friendly facilities also allows parents to get a feel for how you will interact with the children in your care. Practices with kid-friendly features will leave a great impression with parents and a pediatric website is a excellent place to show these features to the parents of perspective patients.
Typically forgotten, an exterior shot, great on a directions or contact pages, make it easier for parents to find your pediatric practice by giving them a visual idea of your practice’s exterior.
Show Pictures of Your Team
Never substitute stock-imagery for your actual team members or actual patients. One way to get great action shots of your staff interacting with children is to host an open house night for children you know well. Throw a little party and provide exams for them while you and your staff operate like you would in a typical day. The pictures from this event will yield incredible shots of your friendly staff and happy children throughout your practice. When parents researching pediatric professionals arrive at your website, they will notice the uniqueness of these pictures and will appreciate having the opportunity to see you in action.
Easy on the “Fun” and “Cute”
Some “fun” deigns elements are usability nightmares for parents. One prime example is the use of a mouse cursor trails. These seem SO CUTE! — but they are not only incredibly annoying when browsing a site, but are also horrible for parents browsing pediatric websites with disabilities.
Another element that gets professionals in trouble is a pediatric website that plays sounds. Having a pediatric website automatically play safari noises is the quickest way to encourage a parent to leave your site — especially if they are at work.
The last “fun” and “cute” example to stay away from is overly creative navigation. Having stared at a few pediatric websites trying to find the navigation, I can attest that parents who cannot find the information they are looking for will quickly move on.
Wagger’s Pediatric Website Packages
Contact us to learn more about how our team can partner with you to build a pediatric website that compliments the uniqueness of your practice and encourages parents to convert from a website visitor to a patient. We know technology and also understand how to integrate with leading third-party vendors, such as Dentrix, to get new patients into your practice systems quickly.
Find out how our strategy of levering a modern website design, SEO techniques, and fully customized graphics and photography will contribute to your practice’s success today!
