Websites Age Like Dog Years

Did you know that your website and four-legged furry friends have a lot in common? They both age faster than humans. In fact, websites age as fast as dogs do. So a 3-year-old website is like a 21-year-old human. This means waiting any longer than 3-4 years can make it difficult to reach out to new patients and retain existing ones.

Why? Because older sites built before 2013 do not work well on the latest devices. Patients will likely face technical issues when searching for information or trying to book their appointment with you. This creates a bad first impression and may result in frustrated patients seeking their medical care elsewhere.

Over the past couple of years, mobile searches have accounted for nearly half of the traffic on the World Wide Web.¹ Noting this change, Google has updated its algorithms causing websites that work well with the latest mobile technology to rank higher on its searches.

More relevant to the medical practices is the fact that 63% of patients prefer to make an online appointment instead of calling.² Given these major shifts in consumer behavior, can you afford to wait several years before upgrading your website?

To bring in new patients and retain existing ones, your website must look good and work well on all kinds of devices, like the latest iPhone. The newest platforms have responsive website design which adapts to different screen sizes maintaining functionality between smart phones, tablets, and desktops with a load time of no more than 2-3 seconds.

Key benefits include:

• Higher Search Engine Visibility
• Better Patient Experience
• Improved Security for Patient Privacy
• Backend Navigation for Updating Web Content and Images
• Compliant with ADA laws for hearing and visually impaired
• Faster load times
• Adaptable screens to fit all devices

Having a 3-year-old website is nothing to bark about! With the constant release of new innovative devices, algorithm changes, and trending social platforms every year, your website can be much older than it looks.³ We recommend assessing your website’s age and functionality every 3 years for optimal performance with the latest technology. Keep your brand’s look and feel fresh as a puppy, and get new patients on the latest website platform available.

Dr. Prem Lobo
Founder and Director of Your Practice Online

Dr. Prem Lobo, founder and Director of Your Practice Online, is an internet entrepreneur specializing in digital marketing for healthcare. Dr. Lobo holds a Diploma in Information Technology, Bachelor’s degree in Medicine, and a Post-Graduate degree in Geriatric Medicine from University of New South Wales, in Sydney, Australia. Prem resides in Silicon Valley with his wife and children, while enjoying international business travel and development alongside his family. Prem has been an advocate for physicians’ internet presence and patient education for over 19 years.

Sources:

1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/277125/share-of-website-traffic-coming-from-mobile-devices//

2. https://practicedock.com/website-older-iphone-6/

3. https://www.zdnet.com/article/iphone-ipad-mac-heres-how-long-your-apple-device-will-last/