Online marketing is now a priority for the healthcare industry. According to invoca.com, a patient’s journey often begins online, when they look for useful medical websites and a medical provider near them. Nearly 5% of Google’s searches are health-related, and 60% of healthcare consumers search for providers before booking an appointment. You’ll need to invest time to create a website that showcases your medical services and connects patients.
Fortunately, you no longer need to be an expert web developer to create an engaging website for medical purposes, made possible by many technological advancements like website builders.
What Is a Website Builder?
Website builders allow you to build a website without any coding knowledge. They are a great solution for freelancers, clinics, and small business owners who want to quickly set up a website without spending too much time and money. They offer a simple drag-and-drop interface with lots of customization and flexibility.
There are two types of website builders: offline, and online. An offline website builder allows you to download software and create a website directly on your computer. Online website builders allow you to build and modify your website from the company’s web server.
How do they work?
Website builders convert your drag-and-drop commands into code. They are either hosted by the company or connected to your hosting provider. Many medical website builders provide various templates or themes available for different types of websites.
Once you have chosen a template, you can start customizing its elements, like layout, typeface, and image and text sizes. Depending on the website builder you choose, you may also embed videos and add contact forms.
Some of the advantages of using a website builder are:
- Provides media storage
- Saves you time and effort
- Integrates social media into your clinic’s website
- Allows you to create a business email
- Offers a drag-and-drop interface that is easy to use
- Offers content management systems, hosting, and domains
- Provides you with SEO analytics
Do you need to use a website builder?
A website builder is the best way to go if you don’t know how to code. You can also hire professionals to build your website how you want it to be.
However, building your website yourself will likely lead to design issues that the builder cannot address. You may have a template that you love, but it may not have all your preferences.
Every website builder has its own limitations. You will often discover these limitations as you use the. But, if you’re not necessarily concerned with design limitations, you’ll find website builders enough for you.
How To Choose the Best Website Builder
Here are some questions to ask when choosing the best website builder to use:
Is it HIPAA-compliant?
Websites for clinics must be HIPAA-compliant. Not complying will damage your reputation and result in severe penalties and fines.
A secured and encrypted website is HIPAA-compliant, from web hosting to email servers, passwords, and forms. These measures should protect all parties involved in patient care from data breaches. Choose a website builder that has these features.
How much can you customize?
While templates are great for simplifying things, your website builder should allow you to customize them. It should allow you to modify colors, add pages, upload images, and add buttons and icons in any size or shape you like.
Does it have SEO features?
People will find it difficult to find your clinic’s website when many are already out there. A website builder with SEO features can help get you a head start and optimize your site for search engines.
Google will more likely include your clinic’s website in its search results page if it understands what your website is about. Do this by adding relevant keywords to your website’s pages, URL, meta data, and image tags. A good website builder should allow you to do that easily.
Does it have mobile-friendly and responsive options?
Most people today use their mobile devices instead of their computers to browse the internet. Your website will need to be mobile-friendly to work well for most users. You’ll need to make a responsive website.
Responsive websites contain the same elements and content that their computer browser version has. However, their arrangements change in a way that will make them look great on any screen size.
Check if the website builder you’re going to choose has responsive templates. You won’t need to do extra work to make your website mobile-friendly if the template you’re using is already mobile-friendly.
Is it easy to use?
Website builders are supposed to simplify the process of building a website, so choose one that is easy to understand. Make sure it has intuitive editing tools that will help you make your website look exactly how you want.
Look for one with a drag-and-drop functionality that allows you to move and change page components around without any web design experience. Editing tools should let you modify colors and add new elements to your page without learning new skills.
Does it have tutorials on how to use it?
While the ideal website builder should be intuitive, it is still important to have access to resources that explain all its features and their uses.
Make sure the tutorials are available for any website builder you are considering. Understanding the tools you’re using will allow you to make the most of them.
How many templates does it have?
Choosing a template is the first step in making a website using a builder. These templates provide you with an initial structure and design to work from so you don’t have to start from scratch. They are also easy to modify, allowing you to improve your website to reflect your brand.
Building your website will be easier if you choose a template close to your vision. So, make sure the website builder you choose has a wide selection of templates.
Does it have social media features?
You must promote your clinic’s website once it’s live, and you’ll want visitors who like your site to promote it too.
Both are possible with social share features, and your website builder should allow you to integrate these into your website. Social media features allow you to send new content to your social media networks, letting your followers know and making it easier for visitors to share your web pages with their followers with a single click.
Is it affordable?
Website builders usually charge on a subscription basis, so you’ll need to consider the long-term costs and what you can afford right now. It’s better to choose a website builder that fits within your budget.
Website builders typically cost between $4 and $40 per month. They may also charge for extra features or services. So make sure to compare all features included in the price instead of just going for the cheapest.
Does it have customer support?
You’ll want to reach someone quickly if you experience any problems with your website. Your website builder should offer 24/7 support and is known for being responsive to customers’ needs. While you may not need customer support, knowing that it is available and reliable when you need it is nice.
Key Takeaway
A website builder is an excellent solution for freelancers and small businesses to set up a website quickly. Most of them have free plans and monthly subscription plans that cost less than hiring professional web developers. If you’re not particularly interested in small details and happy enough with your website’s looks, then website builders are for you.
Allow professionals to do it for you.
Website builders will have their limitations that only hiring professionals can overcome. Experts at Advanced Digital Medical Services can do everything a website builder can do and more. We also provide content and SEO services that help people find your clinic easier and reach more potential clients. Contact us today for more information about our services.
