Create a website for your medical centre

Choose a suitable domain name

Because .com or .co.uk domain names are often already taken, many professionals choose elongated addresses with dashes, such as "harrison-veterinary.com”. However, as smartphones have become the main tool for local searches, an overly long web address increases the risk of typing errors and is less memorable. We recommend choosing a domain name with a relevant extension for your practice, to make the address clearer and easier to remember. For example, choose “yourname.vet” if you are a veterinarian, or “your name.vision” if you are an optometrist. Specific extensions not only simplify your web address, but they also strengthen your online professional identity. A short and precise address also makes it easier to share and access your website.

Security, first and foremost

The domain name is the web address that will allow your patients to access your website or any other online documents. In the event of a potential attack, you risk losing your domain name, or it could be used fraudulently by a malicious party. For example, a hacker could use your web address to post unwanted information. That’s why we do everything we can to secure your web project. Each domain name comes with additional security (DNSSEC) and a system to prevent fraudulent transfers, which you can activate. What’s more, your Control Panel is protected by two-factor authentication: you can confirm your identity with a code sent via SMS. These measures increase security and protect your online presence.

Essential information for a doctor’s surgery

Be sure to clearly display essential information such as opening hours, consultation rates, and each doctor’s qualifications and certifications. This information reassures patients and establishes the credibility of your surgery. Also include the address, means of contact (telephone, email), an access map to facilitate the patient’s visit, and the specific services offered by the practice. A clear and concise overview of this information enhances user experience and visitor confidence. By adding sections on medical specialties and available equipment, you can also demonstrate your surgery’s reach and expertise in the health field.

Answer patient questions

Use language that non-specialists can understand to answer frequent questions from your patients. Create an FAQ section to address common concerns such as appointment terms, specialties treated, pre-consultation and post-consultation instructions, and information about accepted insurance policies. This approach improves user experience and reduces the number of phone calls, allowing you and your team to focus on patient care. Clear and direct answers to common questions increase transparency and satisfaction. By including step-by-step guides and how-to videos, you can offer them additional support, helping them to feel better prepared and informed before their consultations.

Provide advice

Include a blog section or informative articles where you give health tips, explanations of common diseases, and preventative recommendations. This shows your expertise and helps to retain patients by providing valuable and relevant information, thereby contributing to their overall well-being. Topics may include seasonal tips, updates on vaccinations, information on nutrition and exercise, and guides on chronic disease management. An active and educational presence on your website strengthens your position as a health expert. What’s more, adding educational videos and live webinars can enrich the user experience and establish a more personal connection with your patient.

Share positive patient reviews

Post positive feedback from your patients to strengthen the trust and credibility of your medical centre. Authentic testimonials and high ratings reassure new visitors and encourage them to choose your services. Ask satisfied patients to leave reviews on your website and other health platforms. Include these testimonials in a dedicated section on your website, and highlight positive feedback on specific aspects such as the quality of care, the friendliness of the staff and the effectiveness of treatments. Positive reviews play a crucial role in new patients deciding to choose your practice. By publicly responding to reviews and showing your openness, you are also demonstrating your commitment to the continuous improvement of your services.

Creating a doctor’s office website that is accessible to visually impaired patients is crucial to ensure an inclusive and equitable user experience. Here are some key steps to take:

1. Use contrasting, readable fonts: make sure the text is large enough and that there is a good contrast between the text and the background to make it easier to read.
2. Add alt text to images: each image on your website must have a descriptive “alt” tag so that screen readers can interpret visual content.
3. Implement a responsive design: the website must be compatible with assistive technologies such as screen readers, and it must be possible to zoom in without loss of quality or functionality.
4. Keyboard navigability: make sure that all website features are accessible via the keyboard, as some users cannot use a mouse.
5. Test with accessibility tools: use tools like WP Accessibility on WordPress to assess and improve your website’s accessibility.

By following these practices, you can create an inclusive website that allows all patients, including those with visual impairments, to easily access information and services from your surgery. Accessibility also improves your SEO ranking, as search engines value inclusive and well-structured websites.

Ensuring data security on a medical centre website requires a rigorous, multi-faceted approach. This starts with the use of secure web hosting and a trusted CMS like WordPress, which offers regular updates and security plugins. Installing an SSL certificate also encrypts data exchanges, reinforcing this basic security.

Next, additional firewalls and security plugins are essential for protecting against malicious attacks. To complement this approach, sensitive data must be stored securely, with access strictly limited to authorised users. This way, if anything goes wrong, regular website backups can be used to quickly restore information.

At the same time, it is crucial to comply with data protection regulations that impose specific obligations, such as the GDPR. This includes informing patients about how their data is processed, securing electronic communications, and conducting impact assessments to assess risks. Following the ICO’s recommendations, it is also advisable, where possible, to anonymise data and appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to oversee compliance.

By building in these measures, you can not only ensure the confidentiality and security of your patient information, but also comply with legal and regulatory requirements. For detailed advice and practical information, guides from the General Medical Council and the ICO are valuable resources.