Frequently Asked Questions

These are the things we are most often asked when discussing our customers' needs and how we can meet them. If there is something else you'd like to know, please email us and well get back to you directly.

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Should I Build It Myself? Analogies can be drawn between constructing a website and an actual building. Do you have the time, experience, skills, tools and motivation needed to design and create a professional looking website? Probably not. Most people need the services of a professional to build a website for their practice.

What Steps Are Involved In Building A Website? Website building covers three broad steps. The first focuses on website layout and design. It is analogous to the work of an architect. The second phase is concerned with the collection and/or creation of website content (text, graphics and photographs). The final step is the actual building of the site.

What Should I Know About Website Building? You don’t need to know anything technical. The most important thing to know is that the websites already built by your builder are working well. You may want to speak to the physicians who commissioned these sites to see how smoothly the building process progressed. Discuss any particular functionality you have in mind with your website builder prior to the job commencing.

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Should I Have an Interim Website? There could be several weeks or more between the time your new domain name is registered and the time your full site is complete. During the interim, it is a good idea to have a one-page website put onto the web. It should summarise the key elements of your practice (e.g. introductory statement, conditions treated, procedures performed and contact details). The interim website can then be registered with the major search engines. By the time your full site is complete, there is a good chance that Google etc. will be able to find your site for prospective patients.

What Do I Look For In A Website Builder? For the sake of communication, accountability and expedience; choose a person who can handle all aspects of the building process (see above). Have a look at websites they’ve built. Try and put yourself in your patients’ shoes. Do you like the way the websites look? Are they easy to navigate (get around)? Could your patients easily find the information they need?

What Should I Know About Website Layout & Design? The objectives of your website are clear communication, intuitive navigation and fast download speeds. The most important information should be no more than three clicks away. Spend some time looking at physicians’ websites. Get an idea of the websites you like – then discuss them with your website builder.

What Should I Know About Website Content Creation? When choosing a website builder, make sure you choose someone that has experience in the medical field. They need to be able to understand the complexities of the different conditions you treat – and then be able to simplify that information to make it accessible to people without medical training. Your website builder must also be able to create and then optimise whatever graphics and photographs you need. Optimised graphics and photographs should download quickly but still be of acceptable quality.

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What Name Do I Use For My Website? The name of a website is also referred to as the website’s address or domain name. It generally has the form www.name.com.au or www.name.com. Instead of .com, you may use .net or .info. The rules governing domain names makes this a complex area. Domain names ending in .au have more restrictions than those ending in .com. The best way to deal with this issue is to think of an appropriate name and then ask your website builder to check what variations are available.

How Important Is My Website’s Name? Practical issues to consider are the number of letters used in the name. Long names may be difficult to accommodate on business cards and letterhead (especially when their email derivations john.smith@name.com.au are used). They may also be difficult to communicate over the telephone. Given that many people will come to your site via search engines (e.g. Google), the actual name you choose becomes less important. Keep it short and simple. As soon as your domain name is registered, you can put it and your new email addresses on all office stationery. You may want to ask your website builder about making a Trade Mark application for the name of your site or any special graphics on the site.

What Happens After My Website is Complete? You initial building agreement should also make provision for annual website hosting and maintenance. Hosting is the process of putting your website (software) on a computer that can be accessed by anyone surfing the net. Website maintenance should make it possible for any additions or alterations to the completed structure of your website to be made for a fixed cost. It is likely that you will continue to want to make additions or alterations to the site on a fairly regular basis.

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