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A website provides visitors with a first glimpse of your practice. “Potential patients can learn about a physician and the conditions he treats,” said Jairo Torres, MD, owner of Northern Virginia Otolaryngology Associates in Marshall, Va., who had a website created last year when he opened his own practice. “You should also use it as a marketing tool to give your practice exposure.”
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May 2016An effective website also contributes to a practice’s credibility. “Potential patients expect professional practices to have a website—and an impressive website at that—and can be wary of practices that do not have at least a basic online presence,” said Gwendolyn Gainer, founder and creative director of Teramark, a web design and development firm based in Maryland.
Focus on Design Elements
When designing a website, a practice should make sure all of the design elements work seamlessly with the content to take the user’s eye to key messages, Gainer said. Layouts should avoid clutter, allowing breathing room for clear messaging and imagery.