These days, many small businesses are finally jumping on the internet bandwagon and are realizing just how important professional websites are for marketing any business — even veterinary clinics. The problem is that unless these small business owners own web design companies they probably don’t know what they’re doing, and a poorly designed website can be just as bad as not having one at all. Here are three common web design traps that vets and other small business owners fall into.
Not Designing for the Right Audience
One of the biggest traps that small business owners fall into when it comes to web design is not designing it for the right audience. It can be really tempting to design something that they like, but it’s important to remember that this is not personal. It’s essential to think about who is going to be using this site, what information they are looking for, and what it is that the website should get them to do. The majority of 18 to 34 year olds use search engines to find a vet, so think about what that group of people is used to seeing on a website.
No Call to Action
Another mistake that small business owners make when it comes to web design is not including a clear call to action on the website. When people visit a website, the best way to get the to do something is to suggest it and make it really easy to do. Effective veterinary website design should include an obvious call to action, perhaps prompting visitors to “Make an Appointment”.
Little or Old Content
This is a very easy trap to fall into. Some small business owners set up some content and figure they’re good to go, but old, thin, or little content doesn’t really do a website any favors. Creating fresh and relevant content not only gives clients something valuable (information), but it’s also good for search engine optimization.
Do you know any easy veterinary website design tips and tricks? Let us know in the comments.
