![\"Mobile](\"https:\/\/www.tntdental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/iStock-612485896-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
2013 may not seem that long ago, but Internet years are like dog years.\u00a0 The big news stories of the day were the Boston Marathon bombing; the word \u201cselfie\u201d being included in the dictionary for the first time; and the birth of Prince George (son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge). Interestingly, more than half of all dental websites in use today were built in 2013 or before.<\/p>\n
It is easy to think about all that has changed in the past 4 years.\u00a0 Yet, one thing remains unchanged.\u00a0 Your website is still the foundation of your practice\u2019s marketing strategy.\u00a0 It provides the critical \u201cfirst impression\u201d to almost all new patients, and it is the most effective way to tell your story.<\/p>\n
How does your website look?\u00a0 More importantly, how does your website look and function on your phone?\u00a0 What is the first impression it gives?\u00a0 Go ahead, take a look.<\/p>\n
While you are recovering, let us look at some facts. In 2013, less than 25% of all searches on the Internet were completed with a mobile device. In 2017, that percentage is 58% (and growing). In fact, 68% of all health-related Internet searches<\/strong> are completed on mobile devices. This means that if your website is not optimized to welcome mobile traffic, 7 of every 10 potential, new patients will have a hard time finding you and will not be impressed if they do.<\/p>\n Obviously, mobile devices have limited space to display your website and your message.\u00a0 In addition, the way people interact with mobile websites is very different.\u00a0 Big blocks of text are out.\u00a0 Photos, buttons and swipe zones are in. Every design element can be the difference between a new patient and a missed opportunity. With this in mind, here are some of the design guidelines your mobile website should follow to be effective in 2017 and beyond:<\/p>\n Sure, the user experience created through proper design is important.\u00a0 At the same time, the actual content of your website remains an incredibly important determinant of success. This starts with understanding Google\u2019s algorithm for mobile search, and it extends to how people are searching on their phones and to the types of content they are most likely to consume when they find it.\u00a0 Here are some specific ideas to keep in mind when building your mobile website content strategy:<\/p>\n Finally, it is important to utilize the proper programming tools to transform all of these designs and pieces of content into a mobile-friendly website.\u00a0 This is where something called \u201cmobile-responsive development\u201d is important to know.\u00a0 Google wants each small business to have one website that tells their entire story.\u00a0 Gone are the days of microsites and separate mobile websites.\u00a0 Using the latest development languages, it is relatively easy to create a single website which identifies the type of device trying to access it and renders a version ideal for that browser and screen size.\u00a0 Plain and simple, not using responsive design for your website in 2017 will put you at a competitive disadvantage to at least 85% of your competitors.<\/p>\n Just as Prince George has gone from a newborn baby to a very mobile 4 year-old since 2013, your website should be very different today than it was in the early days of selfies. Elements of design, content and development should have been updated to place your practice in its best competitive position. A toddler needs to walk and talk to keep up with his friends, and your website needs to be meet all of the latest mobile standards. Following the above steps will put you on the right path towards long-term growth, excellent search engine visibility \u2013 and lots of new patients.<\/p>\n About The Author<\/strong><\/p>\n Tim Healy is one of the founders of TNT Dental, the #1 creator of custom websites and marketing strategies for dentists. Recognized as a leading expert in helping dental practices attract new patients, Tim has a true passion for teaching dentists the important \u201cbusiness stuff\u201d they do not teach you in dental school. If there is anything Tim can do to help you, please do not hesitate to contact him directly at the office, (877) 317-4885, on his cell, (214) 680-1270, or via email at tim@tntdental.com<\/a>. Of course, you can always visit www.TNTDental.com<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 2013 may not seem that long ago, but Internet years are like dog years.\u00a0 The big news stories of the day were the Boston Marathon bombing; the word \u201cselfie\u201d being included in the dictionary for the first time; and the birth of Prince George (son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge). Interestingly, more than […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mobile-website-design"],"yoast_head":"\nIt Starts with Mobile Website Design<\/h2>\n
\n
Content is Still King<\/h2>\n
\n
What Language Does Your Website Speak?<\/h2>\n
4 Years is a Lifetime for a Website<\/h2>\n