Achieving the best in healthcare web design
Over the years we have been lucky enough to have worked with many healthcare providers in the Toronto region with their web design requirements.
From specialist hospital departments to ophthalmologists, each of these clients was seeking out an experienced web designer who could create a patient centred website that could effectively communicate and connect with patients. Ultimately the goal of each website was for patients to feel comfortable enough to get in touch.
It’s a competitive online world out there for healthcare providers and winning over website visitors is no easy task. With healthcare website design, there are quite a few core elements that need to be considered in order to achieve the required outcome i.e., patients making contact. Below we have a closer look at some of these core elements and why they are employed.
Target audience
If a website hasn’t been designed with the end-user in mind, then it will fail. Before even the web design process begins, it’s essential to pinpoint which target audience the website is aimed at. It may be a specific population group, or a wide, diverse range of people. Gender, age, race, language spoken etc. all need to be taken into account, as they will dictate how the design and content of the website should be.
Colour palette
A website’s colour can immediately bond with or repel visitors. Personal colour choices for the website should always be put aside, only colours that could appeal to the target audience should be considered. Many of the healthcare websites out there that appeal to wide demographics employ neutral colours. The use of shades within the colour blue spectrum are very popular, as the colour is universally associated with healthcare. Check out University Hospital Network’s CIMPKD website to see how this is applied. When in doubt what colours to consider, it’s a wise move to review your successful competitor’s websites.
Content
Make it easy for visitors to find and access healthcare information that is relevant to them. One way this can be done is by using a very graphical navigation system, as seen on the website design we created for Bay Bloor Eye Care. Text content itself should be easily readable, pitched for your target audience and where possible have a friendly tone. Bear in mind that website visitors may be nervous or worried about their condition and will seek out reassurance that they can be successfully assisted with their healthcare.
Any images on a website should be there to appeal to the target audience and be inclusive. Images should be placed strategically and reinforce what message is being relayed in bodies of text. Any images being used on a healthcare provider’s web design should be of professional quality.
Connection
Connecting with visitors is key to the website’s success. People will want to see who is providing the healthcare services and feel comfortable in deciding to make contact. Professional photographs of key team members are nowadays always expected on healthcare provider websites. Investing in a video clip that introduces the company, key staff members and areas of the premises that patients will be visiting, is an excellent way to quickly connect with website visitors.
Contact
Making it easy for visitors to make contact you, whatever area of the website they are browsing, is also essential. A great way to achieve this is by having a quick online enquiry form on each page. Another great feature for healthcare websites is an online booking facility, such as used on the CMAC website we created. Online booking systems allow visitors ton choose the most convenient date and time for their appointment and even pay in advance, without having to make a phone call.
Web designer with healthcare web design experience!
Our online portfolio contains some amazing website designs that we have recently created for healthcare providers. Whether you are looking for custom website design, or would prefer to use a WordPress theme, we can achieve the perfect look and feel for your new website.
