Here are a few essentials you need to consider:

Company Longevity

Longevity in business demonstrate experience. How long has the company been in business?

Web Design Portfolio

Does the web design firm have experience in your industry?  For example if most of their work is doing retail stores on Main St and you are a manufacturing company, they will not have an in-depth understanding of Business to Business marketing.

Conversation

Does the firm listen and ask about your needs or do they just tell you want they think you need? A new website can only be effective if it is built to meet your business needs. Having a cute animation may do nothing or even hurt your engagement with potential clients.

Meetings & Appointments

Is a potential web design vendor willing to meet at your location? Some companies actually charge for an introductory appointment. That is crazy.

Website Pricing

Avoid the very low cost, too good to be true pricing. Most likely the work is performed overseas. This in itself is very problematic. Or perhaps a college or high school student without any business experience will be developing your website. Bad idea.

Website Maintenance

Once your site is up and running will you be able to update the site yourself? All websites today should come with a content management system. Ask for a demo of the content management system to make sure it’s easy to use.

Website Content Development Services

Make sure you select a firm that can help you prepare your content.  We are talking about a marketing and advertising website copywriter that can create search engine optimized content that will engage your readers.

Depth of Services

How nice it would be to leverage your website’s design elements into printed collateral and marketing materials. Does the web design firm offer these services?  Having one vendor to go to will save hours of time and money. You’ll benefit from a brand image that is consistent across all media.

Visible Contact Information

Even through this sounds obvious having your phone number on each page or in the upper right heading is a must.  Avoid just having it on your contact page.

Directions to Your Medical Practice

Gone are the days of a long text list of directions. Make sure site has an interactive Google Map so your visitors can get personalized directions to your office.

Describe Your Location

On your contact page you should expand your content to describe where you’re located.  For example: “BZA is located in Little Falls New Jersey which is in Passaic County.  The surrounding towns include Wayne, Montclair, Clifton, etc.” Not only will this help the reader get an understanding of where you are if they are not familiar with your town, but it will also help patients find your in search engines.

Location Photography

Personalize your site with location photography so visitors can get a sense of your practice.  Take photo’s of your waiting room, building, lab, etc.  A site that only uses stock photography screams stock photos.

Doctor and Staff Bios

Bios of doctors and staff should be about 250 words and include a professional headshot. With the emphasis on professional.  Avoid those straight on photos against wall.

Online Documents  & Forms

Having patient documents like intake forms, and compliance forms downloadable on your website can save your staff hours of printing and emailing forms. Having the patient come in with completed forms in hand is a win win for all.

Content Management System

Make sure you new website comes with a content management system. This will allow one of your office staff members to keep the site up to date.

Medical Practice News Blog

Whether you call it a News, Press, Media, or Blog function, having news and information is of value to your patients.  Not only does it demonstrate your in-depth understanding of your specialty, but this type of content can increasing your ranking in search engines. You can refer patients to blog posts to get more information on a particular topic.

These are just a few strategies that will contribute to the overall success of your medical practice’s online web presence. If you are ready for a site redesign contact us or request a quote.

BZA’s web designers will be designing the site at the same time BZA’s web developers will be building the website along with the truck rate web application. The website is anticipated to be launched in late spring.

The Hearing Group wanted a website that had a clean fresh look, that was easy to navigate and that could be updated by their in-house staff.  BZA designed the site that leverages The Hearing Group’s image with a color palette true to their brand.  The site was built with the popular WordPress platform that allows The Hearing Group’s staff to quickly and easily update the website content include their news blog. BZA provided personalized WordPress training for their staff.

The site also features several product slideshows that allow visitors to view hearing aid products by manufacturer. The site leverages social media with both Facebook and social sharing functions. The site also contains an interactive Google Map allowing visitors can obtain personalized directions to The Hearing Group’s office.

As a result of the new website The Hearing Group is experiencing increased traffic to their website due to their improved position in search results for keyword phrases related to their practice.

SeaMates was looking for a professional, stylized website to represent their all service offerings. They also needed a website that could grow with their business and be supported by their internal staff.

The BZA team built a website using the popular WordPress so that the internal staff could easily update the site and keep the content fresh and current.

The site features a Quote Request form that allows visitors to specify cargo details so SeaMates’ customer service representatives can provide timely and accurate quotes.

Bake Huggers, received raves reviews when the product was offered for sale on the Home Shopping Network. Owner and inventor Debra Lee won TLC’s Homemade Millionaire in 2010.

The e-commerce website is scheduled to be launched late January.

View more information about our NJ web design services.

In the video Zaccone speaks about her chapter on Website Marketing Insight in the book.

The Big Bold Business book, to be published by Woodpecker Press, LLC in March 2012, is a must-have resource for business owners everywhere, offering sound business advice and insight into successful business practices.