Optometry Practice Website Tips

Toady’s Optometry digital existence includes a website and social media presence. Patients use search engines to look for eye care services on daily basis. An Optometry practice website should be developed and optimized to perform well in search results. What used to be yellow and white pages have turned into Google page rank, sponsored ads, and Yelp. The design of the website should take into consideration that it is the first window of the practice to the patient. A website is a dynamic and detailed version of what a business card, a reception desk, and a retail shop window combined together were thirty years ago.

Website traffic is basically the result of referrals from social media platforms and search engine queries. Once a patient lands on the homepage of the practice, it should load quickly and should easily communicate the required information in less than five seconds. The theme and colors employed in the web design should reflect the theme in the office. The most employed operations, functions, and widgets include:

Appointment scheduling: many practices prefer to use appointments through companies or phones. However, the schedule has shifted to online and that is either embedded in the website or through redirecting to a third-party solution. Many practices are now using scheduling solutions available on social media platforms.

Online shopping cart: should be easy to navigate and easy to manage. The online shopping cart should include referral programs, product reviews, email lists, coupons, discounts, wishlists, gift cards, and loyalty programs.

Weblog: many websites are encumbered in the information that makes pages very difficult to navigate and therefore turns the patient’s navigation and browsing experience unsatisfying. Many Optometrists fall into the trap of uploading tons of medical information and slides that they think are instructional. However, a website should be a practice window, not an encyclopedia. A good idea to put whatever comes to your mind in a logged way is to add a weblog at the far left end of the navigation bar for those who would like to spend time navigating the news and past activities of the practice, the staff, and sponsors.