Establishing Credibility: Essential Tips for Orthodontic Services To Attract More Patients and Grow Your Practice’s Online Presence

According to Forbes, there are an estimated 1.13 billion websites globally. However, only a fraction of these are actively used and updated. In fact, 82% are inactive, which means they aren’t updated frequently with information that can help or attract prospective visitors. Yet website activity is integral for your practice. And not only that, but website credibility for orthodontic services is critical for dentists and orthodontists who want to stand out from the crowd.

Website credibility is a critical factor that can make or break your orthodontic practice’s online presence. To establish trust and attract new patients, applying standard web credibility tips to your website is crucial. These tips are based on research conducted by Stanford University and cover various aspects, including design, content, and user experience. Implementing these tips will ensure that your practice’s website stands out and establishes credibility with potential patients.

1. Ensure your site is user friendly.

A user-friendly website is crucial to the success of your orthodontic practice’s online presence. Not only does it improve the overall user experience, but it can also lead to increased traffic, higher engagement, and, ultimately, more new patients. Further, a user-friendly website can improve your search engine optimization (SEO), reduce bounce rates, and make it easier for potential patients to find the information they need. 

2. Let your site visitors navigate with ease. 

In today’s fast-paced digital world, website visitors expect a seamless, intuitive experience. To keep visitors engaged and convert them into patients, ensure that your website is easy to navigate and contains the information your audience needs. According to a recent study by Blogging Wizard, a staggering 37% of users say that poor navigation and design are the top reasons they leave a website. Therefore, investing in a clear and simple menu structure, logically organizing your content, and ensuring that important information is easy to find goes a long way in keeping potential patients on your website.

3. Be gone, pop-ups. 

Pop-up ads and other interruptive elements can be a major turnoff for visitors to your website. Not only do they disrupt the user experience, but they can also damage your website’s credibility and reputation. 

According to an article by HubSpot, 73% of visitors dislike pop-ups, finding them irritating and irrelevant. Moreover, pop-up blockers are becoming increasingly common, making visitors less likely to see them anyway. So why not do yourself and your visitors a favor and remove them? Focus on providing high-quality, relevant content and using nonintrusive calls to action that encourage visitors to engage with your practice on their terms.

4. Design matters. 

When it comes to website credibility for orthodontic services, design plays a critical role in establishing trust with potential patients. A well-designed website can speak volumes about your practice’s professionalism, expertise, and commitment to quality. On the other hand, a poorly designed website can give the impression of being outdated, unprofessional, and unreliable. 

Great web design matters because it can make or break your online presence. 

5. Content is king. 

The need for high-quality content cannot be overstated. Content is a powerful tool that can demonstrate your orthodontic practice’s expertise, knowledge, and authority in your field. Regularly updating your website with informative blogs, landing pages, and other relevant content demonstrates your expertise and establishes credibility with potential patients. 

Plus, updating your website regularly with fresh and informative content keeps your visitors engaged. It also helps build domain authority, which can improve your search engine rankings and attract even more visitors to your website. 

6. Don’t make your readers search forever.

Visitors need to be able to easily find what they’re looking for. You need well-written site pages that provide an overview of your service offerings and the unique value you bring to the table. A great website should be easy to navigate, visually appealing, and filled with high-quality content that speaks to the needs and interests of your target audience. Investing in site pages showcasing your practice’s strengths and expertise can build trust with potential patients and ultimately convert them into loyal ones.

7. Be the authority.

Providing the right level of detail on your website is crucial to building rapport and attracting potential patients. While you need to have site pages that provide an overview of your services, offering more detailed content for those who want to dig deeper is just as important. By investing in informative posts about each of your offerings, you can showcase your expertise and provide potential patients with the information they need to make informed decisions about their orthodontic care. 

Additionally, by making it easier for readers to access more detailed information without leaving your website, you can keep them engaged. The last thing you want is to keep your content so generic that your visitors go elsewhere.

8. Include reputable citations. 

Cross-linking to other reputable websites within your own content is a valuable strategy for SEO. By including trustworthy (and relevant, of course) external links in your content, you can boost the credibility of your website and establish yourself as a reputable source of information. External links to high-quality resources also provide your readers with valuable references, which can enhance your website’s authority and increase trust in your brand. 

Particularly in the dental and orthodontic spaces, the type of external citation really matters. By citing sources such as the American Dental Association (ADA) and other reputable organizations, you can demonstrate your commitment to providing accurate and trustworthy information. Keep in mind that content from .org and .gov sites is typically more reliable than content from .com sites.

9. Include a testimonials page.

Positive feedback from real patients is a powerful tool for building rapport. Consider adding testimonials to your website. You may also choose to add a smile gallery that shows positive results for happy patients (anonymized). This helps potential patients see the real-life results you can deliver and feel more confident about choosing your practice.

10. Make your website mobile friendly.

A mobile-friendly website improves the user experience for your visitors. It shows that you are staying current with technological trends and are committed to providing a seamless experience for all users, regardless of their device.

In 2022, mobile devices accounted for most of the website traffic, generating 60.66%, compared to 39.34% for desktops and tablets. This shift to mobile devices is reflected in the fact that U.S. adults now spend an average of five and a half hours daily on their mobile phones. Additionally, mobile phones accounted for 55% of page views in 2021 and over half of all video views. It’s essential to ensure your website is optimized for mobile devices to reach the growing number of users who rely on them for browsing.

Make website credibility for orthodontic services a priority.

Make website credibility for orthodontic services a priority by applying these standard web credibility tips to your website. Ensure your website is user-friendly, easy to navigate, and has the information your audience needs. Get rid of pop-ups and other interrupters that can be annoying to visitors. Remember that website design speaks volumes about your credibility, so ensure it looks professional and high quality. 

Provide well-written site pages that overview your service offerings and who you are as a practice. When creating content, provide the right level of detail and cite reliable sources, such as the ADA. Lastly, optimize your website for mobile devices since most website traffic now comes from mobile phones. 
Applying these tips will boost your website’s credibility and attract more leads for your orthodontic services. Want more great recommendations to boost your orthodontic services? Check out our blog.