Dental Website Design: Cookie-Cutter vs. Custom
A great way to reach current and potential patients is by having a strong and engaging website. That can be achieved through a tailored website design and marketing strategies that speak to what your practice offers and the environment you create for those coming in for dental care. At Rosemont Media, we work with a variety of dental providers to help them increase their online presence, website traffic, and overall brand exposure. Our team utilizes proven strategies that take into consideration a practice’s marketing budget, online voice, and digital goals.
When it comes to creating your website, there are different options that will affect the immediate and long-term impact of your marketing efforts. As you shop around, you will likely find two different strategies for website design:
- Cookie Cutter – A more generic approach that often includes template-based designs, quicker launch time, and lower initial cost.
- Custom – A tailored design, layout, and search engine optimization (SEO) strategy that incorporates more of your specific brand identity and typically produces better online visibility and greater conversion rates.
Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and understanding what to expect from each can help you select the right approach for your dental practice.
Cookie-Cutter Website Strategy
Pros
A cookie-cutter strategy is generally going to come with a lower initial investment. The cost can be less upfront, which allows practices with a smaller marketing budget to establish an online presence faster. This approach often includes template-based websites, which are quick to launch and feature user-friendly management systems that require minimal technical skills.
Cons
While template-based designs can be easier to set up, the limited differentiation means that it’ll be harder to stand out in such an expansive digital landscape. There may be restrictions on how the layout can be customized and tailored to your specific practice and brand identity. Additionally, certain cookie-cutter templates are not properly optimized for SEO, which can negatively affect the site’s visibility and the ability for potential patients to find your practice. Furthermore, templates often come with a recurring subscription fee which can end up costing more than a custom solution in the long run. Lastly, if you stop paying your subscription, your website may not be transferable and you’ll wind up having to start over again.
Custom Website Strategy
Pros
With a custom dental website strategy, you can receive a unique design and layout that’s tailored to your practice’s own brand, conveying the type of messaging you’d like to get across. A custom website can help you stand out from your competitors, as well as reflect the type of experience patients can expect and the office culture you promote. This approach is more capable of growing with your practice, accommodating newer services, technology, and engagement strategies. More personalized websites are often created with dental SEO in mind, as well, which can help with page ranking and visibility. In addition, the unique nature of this option typically leads to better conversions, as modern and aesthetically pleasing designs and layouts draw viewers in.
Cons
One of the cons of a custom website strategy is that the initial investment may be higher. A tailored design requires more time, expertise, and resources, which means a higher cost. Going the custom route also typically means longer development time and planning from website concept to launch.
Should I Choose a Template or Custom Website Strategy?
When considering which option to utilize, it’s important to consider your practice’s marketing budget and overall goals. Strictly viewing dental website marketing based on cost will limit your strategic potential; however, if you’ve opted for a more generic, template-based approach, there is still room for growth and the ability to diversify your marketing methods.
The most effective long-term strategy is to invest in your practice’s website marketing by ensuring it properly conveys what makes your practice stand out from the rest. By collaborating with a first-rate marketing agency, your dental practice is more likely to see digital success that can translate to real-world conversions.
To help you along your marketing journey, the Rosemont Media team consists of experienced writers, talented designers, expert developers, and marketing consultants. By combining the skills and expertise of our team, we help clients improve their presence in the vast digital landscape. If you’re curious whether a cookie-cutter or custom approach is right for you, contact us at Rosemont Media today.