Consumers are looking for more than just 'mobile friendly'. is your site ready?
Not long ago, consumers used mobile phones strictly as a means of communication. Today, thanks to rapid advancements in mobile technology – namely smartphones and tablets – your patients have all the digital resources they need in the palm of their hands.
According to Pew Research, the average American spends more than 3.3 hours a day on their phone, and that average will continue to increase. As a growing number of patients turn to mobile for search and decision-making support, a strong mobile presence is no longer an option – it is a necessity. So, how can you embrace mobile technology to increase new patient flow, generate more 5-Star reviews and improve the overall patient experience?
The first critical step to improving your practice’s mobile presence is to invest in a mobile-responsive website. A mobile-responsive website is built with dynamic content, enabling it to react to any size of a user’s device. Whether a potential customer is using an iPhone, tablet or desktop, the important information on your website will display exactly as intended.
Elite Dental Alliance (ELITE), a CWA affiliate, recently launched a new mobile-responsive website, built by one of the company’s vendor partners, Dentalfone. With this new website, ELITE members will now have fast and easy mobile access to corporate-level discounts and support from 70+ industry-leading vendors at the palm of their hands.
Why invest the time and money into your website? Dentalfone offers three ways a mobile responsive website can boost your bottom line:
- Provides a Better Patient Experience Beyond “Mobile-Friendly”
Maintaining a professional website is critical to elevating your online image, attracting new patients to your practice, and maintaining credibility among your current patients and other dental professionals.
Mobile friendly and mobile responsive are not the same thing. Although a mobile-friendly website does suffice for search engine rankings, when it comes to the patient experience, it’s simply not enough.
With a mobile-friendly website, your patients must “pinch and zoom” to view content and contact your practice. Alternatively, a mobile-responsive website, which is designed to respond to smaller devices by stacking content in order of importance, can offer your patients a much easier user experience. A mobile-responsive design offers patients the ability to navigate content, book appointments, and leave reviews with a few simple scrolls and clicks—simplicity and ease that promotes growth rather than hinder it.
“ELITE members that have made the switch to mobile-responsive designs are reporting higher patient acquisition and retention rates,” said Brett Pierce, president and CEO of Elite Dental Alliance. “It’s simple, the easier you make it for your patients to reach you, the more likely they are to keep coming back to your office. If you haven’t optimized your practice’s website for a better mobile experience, you need to start now.”
- Improves Visibility
Did you know that over 62% of website traffic comes from mobile and tablet searches? According to Google, 51% of smartphone users have discovered a new company or product while conducting a search on their smartphone.
“Having a mobile-responsive website doesn’t just create a good user experience for patients,” said CEO of Dentalfone Scott Hawley. “Without a mobile-responsive site, there’s a good chance your patients may not even find you online.”
In October 2017, Google began mobile-first indexing, serving users different results on mobile than on desktop for the exact same keyword searches. This means that Google could be penalizing your practice’s search engine rankings by giving higher search priority to other businesses.
- Preparation for the Future
Have you ever noticed how the word “Google” is frequently used as a verb? If you need the answer to a question, you take out your phone and “Google it.” Want to quickly find nearby restaurants? Have a toothache while out with friends and want to find a nearby dental office? “Google it.”
It’s really no surprise that Google reported that 3 in 4 smartphone owners turn to mobile search first to address their immediate needs. Immediate results and on-the-spot decisions are now the societal norm – and that will only accelerate. If your practice invests in a mobile-responsive website now, you will have an advantage over your competitors who fall behind.
Stand out from the crowd
With thousands of website developers to choose from – it can be difficult to decide who to trust with your practice’s image. ELITE has vetted the industry’s leading professionals and selected a few partners that can help you with your practice’s digital needs. To view their list of web developers or other vendors in their digital marketplace, click here. It’s time to ensure your practice is found when patients are looking.
Cain Watters is a Registered Investment Advisor. Cain Watters only conducts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded from registration requirements. Registration is not an endorsement of the firm by securities regulators and does not mean the adviser has achieved a specific level of skill or ability. Request Form ADV Part 2A for a complete description of Cain Watters investment advisory services. Diversification does not ensure a profit and may not protect against loss in declining markets. Past performance is not an indicator of future results.
