We’re told not to judge a book by its cover, but how about judging a company or in this case, a dentist by its website?
I’m searching for a new dentist because my current one no longer accepts my insurance. In my search for a new in-network dentist, I’m taking into consideration Google reviews, the office hours (open early or late so I don’t have to take time off work), location/distance (from home or work), as well as their website. Since I haven’t found one that fits all my criteria, I’ll settle for 3 out of 4.
One dentist got good Google reviews, but has an obviously outdated website as confirmed by its 2014 copyright. While the content is okay, the design is lacking (e.g., fonts, color scheme, overall look) and the copy is hard to read. Maybe that shouldn’t affect my decision, but it does.
A First Impression
It may not be noticeable. You may not be consciously thinking a website looks good or bad, and maybe you don’t even care, but a website can have a subtle or subconscious effect in making you trust or how you feel about the company.
When I want to learn more about a company, the first thing I usually do is look at their website. A website represents the organization or individual, and an old or outdated site can be a turn off especially when the site serves as a first impression.
Company Credibility
In my opinion, a good website not only has relevant content, it is responsive, loads quickly, and has a nice design that looks current.
One could argue that a mediocre website doesn’t equate to a mediocre company, nor does a great website mean the company (or dentist) is great either. While that may be true, I think a website suggests, if not reflects, some level of a company’s credibility, expertise, or lack thereof, and the aesthetics of a site can affect how you feel or perceive them. An outdated website may unintentionally yet negatively impact how the company appears. For example, if the site is not up to date, I might question whether or not the technologies they use are either.
Maybe the company lacks the resources or knowledge to maintain their website, but not prioritizing their site could affect their business. With the potential a website has in giving a positive first impression and creating confidence and trust in a company, it would be beneficial to reevaluate a site every few years. Otherwise, it could be a missed marketing opportunity.
I’ve narrowed down my list of potential dentists. That said, I’ll probably go with one with good reviews and a good website.
