What Are the Do's and Don'ts of Healthcare Website Design?

A healthcare website is more than just an online presence; it is a vital touchpoint for patients seeking medical information, booking appointments, or finding the right provider.

An ineffective design can create confusion, frustration, and even mistrust.

This guide explores the essential do’s and don’ts of healthcare website design, ensuring a seamless digital experience that meets industry best practices.

The Do’s of Healthcare Website Design

#1. Prioritise User Experience (UX)

A well-structured website should be as intuitive as walking into a well-organised clinic. Patients should be able to find what they need quickly and without unnecessary complexity.

• Use clear navigation menus with logically categorised sections.
• Implement search functionality for quick access to health services, provider directories, and FAQs.
• Maintain a consistent layout across all pages to reduce cognitive load for users.

#2. Optimise for Mobile Devices

With over 60% of users accessing healthcare websites via mobile devices, mobile responsiveness is non-negotiable.

• Ensure a responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes.
• Avoid elements like pop-ups that may obstruct mobile usability.
• Design touch-friendly buttons for easy navigation on smaller screens.

#3. Implement Accessibility Features

Medical websites must be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

• High-Contrast Text: Enhances readability for users with visual impairments.
  
  
• Alt Text for Images: Ensures screen readers can interpret visual content effectively.
  
  
• Keyboard Navigation: Allows users who cannot use a mouse to navigate the site smoothly.

An inclusive website ensures all patients—including those with visual, auditory, or motor impairments—can access important medical information.

To assess your site’s accessibility, tools like WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool) offer quick and easy checks. Simply enter your website URL to identify accessibility issues and get actionable insights.

#4. Provide Clear Contact Information

A patient seeking medical help should not have to dig through pages to find a contact number.

• Place phone numbers, email addresses, and physical locations prominently on the homepage.
• Include a click-to-call feature for mobile users.
• Embed an interactive map for easy navigation to physical locations.

#5. Use High-Quality Visuals

First impressions matter. A website filled with pixelated images and stock photos can appear unprofessional and impersonal.

• Invest in high-resolution images of your facility and staff to establish trust.
• Use short explainer videos to clarify complex procedures.
• Avoid excessive decorative graphics that do not contribute to user experience.

‍

The Don’ts of Healthcare Website Design

#1. Avoid Cluttered Layouts

Overloading a website with excessive content is like handing a patient a 20-page medical form for a simple check-up.

• Keep text concise and break up content with subheadings and bullet points.
• Use white space effectively to create a clean, breathable design.
• Avoid too many call-to-action buttons on a single page to prevent confusion.

#2. Do Not Use Medical Jargon

Healthcare is complex, but communication should not be.

• Replace technical terminology with simple, patient-friendly language.
• Provide layman-friendly explanations for complex medical conditions.
• Use FAQs and glossaries to define unavoidable medical terms.

#3. Avoid Slow Load Times

A slow website can be as frustrating as waiting in a doctor’s office with no explanation. Page speed directly affects user engagement and retention, you can test your speed through PageSpeed Insights by Google.

• Compress large images and videos to reduce loading time.
• Minimise excessive animations and scripts that slow down performance.
• Enable browser caching to improve repeat visitor experience.

#4. Do Not Neglect SEO Best Practices

Even the best-designed website is useless if no one can find it.

• Use descriptive meta titles and descriptions for better search visibility.
• Incorporate relevant healthcare keywords naturally within the content.
• Implement structured data to improve search engine indexing.

#5. Avoid Inconsistent Branding

Branding should be as consistent as a medical professional’s bedside manner.

• Use a cohesive colour palette, typography, and tone across all pages.
• Ensure logo placement is uniform on every page.
• Maintain a consistent messaging style to strengthen brand identity.

Conclusion

A well-structured healthcare website not only enhances user experience but also builds trust, improves accessibility, and strengthens your brand.

Implement these best practices to create a digital presence that serves both patients and healthcare professionals effectively.

Ready to create a healthcare website that works as hard as you do? Contact Wolf IQ - we’ve helped 30+ healthcare businesses build seamless, patient-friendly digital experiences.

‍