Currently, there are 3 routes you can go when deciding to create or upgrade your practice's website:

• Pay a developer for a highly customized website - very expensive and unnecessary for anyone besides big corporations
• Purchase a website template, pay a large upfront fee and continue to pay a maintenance fee - less costly than a custom design, but you still commit to a monthly cost, while locking yourself down to current technology
• Subscribe to a website service - a flat monthly fee and access to ever-changing technology

Why subscribe

Technology changes quickly. Faster than fashion, faster than design, faster than cars...Fast. Remember VCR's? The days before iPads? If you take a second to think about it, it really has been in the past few years that technology has been soaring. So, if there was any time to subscribe to a web service instead of paying to build one, the time is now.

By now you've probably heard - cloud computing is revolutionizing business. The good news is that you've been doing this for years - any time you click a link or send an email, you're operating 'in the cloud.' Moving your practice management 'to the cloud' means doing your business computing via the internet instead of downloading software and accessing information directly from a computer. Along those lines, subscribing to a website means moving your website management 'to the cloud' and is one more easy way you can save costs and reduce hassle.

How does this save money?

In short, a subscription saves cash because technology is changing so quickly that it will be less than 2 years before you need a new website. So, when that time comes, you can either re-invest a large sum for a refresher, or just flip a switch for free in your subscription service.

Take it from your tech gurus in Silicon Valley - if you care about the long term costs to your practice and projecting a consistently savvy image to your patients, find a great website service you can subscribe to and enjoy the benefits of managing your online presence in the cloud.

While many dentists tend to be overly concerned about the numbers of new patients coming into the practice each month, patient retention is where practice profitability is best achieved. The ability to retain patients makes a big difference in the patients' average value. It's been shown that if patient retention is at 50% the average value is $1,200 per patient. If you retain 75% of patients the average value jumps to $2,500. In other words, patient value more than doubles.

Two things in particular are essential to retaining long-term loyal patients: One - Address the common dislikes and frustrations of dental visits. Two - Build positive, personal relationships. Chatting with the patient for five minutes or less every six months is not building a relationship. It requires a bit more consideration and effort than that, but will pay huge dividends in the long run.

Start with your new patients; establish a system in your office in which every new patient is sent a handwritten personal thank you note from the doctor, no exceptions. Keep it simple and straightforward, but also personal, for example:

Dear name of patient, it was a pleasure meeting you at your new patient appointment on Wednesday. Thank you for choosing our practice. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time. And best of luck to your daughter in her upcoming soccer season! Sincerely, Dr. GoodDoc.  

Better yet, give the new patient a brief call a couple of days before their appointment to introduce yourself. I guarantee the patient will be utterly stunned and thoroughly impressed. The key is personalization. A personal phone call and a handwritten, personalized note carries far more weight and value to the recipient.

While I'm on the topic of thanking patients, don't overlook your referring patients. They have paid you and your team the highest compliment. Sending flowers or other "showy" gift to the workplace is one of the best ways to generate a "buzz" about your practice. The fact is that anytime someone receives flowers, everyone wants to know what the occasion is and who they are from. And if everyone is talking about your practice, it's likely to generate even more referrals.

Demand for more convenient appointments.

The economy may cause some people to cancel or postpone regular appointments. Their job demands will require less out of office time due to layoffs and fewer workers doing the work. The growing dental practice may consider variable hours and different shifts to accommodate the patients.  

The internet RULES! This is an ever changing future trend. Keep up or be left out.Social Networking will continue to grow. Depending on your target market and demographics, this can impact your practice. As soon as a patient leaves your office their experience can be shared with their social network via Twitter, Face Book and what ever will come in the future. The truth is you are no longer isolated patient experiences. The younger your patient base is, the more you are exposed to social commentary via these networks. BE sure you monitor you "web" conversation.

Pew Research shows the following:

Young people are much more likely than older adults to use social networks.

• 75% of online adults 18-24 have a profile on a social network site
• 57% of online adults 25-34 have a profile on a social network
• 30% of online adults 35-44 have one
• 19% of online 45 to 54 year olds have a profile
• 10% of online 55 to 64 year olds have a profile
• 7% of online adults 65 and older have a profile

Patients who are internet savvy will come to expect online dental bill paying, online appointment scheduling, email and text confirmations, email and text recall notices and reminders.

Your Website should RUN your marketing. More patients will find their new dentist via the web. The yellow pages and the newspaper are dead marketing mediums unless you are in the aged (over 65) age demographics. Having a consumer (not dentist) oriented website will be A CRITICAL MARKETING ELEMENT. Websites need a webmeister who knows and keeps abreast of the latest SEO (Search Engine Optimization), uses testimonials, immediate capture of the web browsing patient with instant access to the office and offers which fit the patient. Websites are NOT a "put up and forget" marketing aid for the future. The need for continual updates, personalized photos of before and after procedures, and professional (marketing professional) input will be critical - particularly the more educated your patients OR the younger your patients.