7 Dental Website Mistakes Costing You Patients

Your website is often the first impression prospective patients have. A slow, confusing, or outdated site sends them straight to competitors. Here are the 7 most common mistakes—and how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Slow Load Times

The problem: Every second of delay costs conversions. If your site takes more than 3 seconds to load, many visitors leave before seeing anything.

The fix:

• Test with Google PageSpeed Insights
• Compress images (use WebP format)
• Enable browser caching
• Use a fast hosting provider
• Minimize unnecessary plugins/scripts

Target: Under 3 seconds on mobile, under 2 seconds on desktop.

Mistake #2: Poor Mobile Experience

The problem: 60%+ of dental searches happen on mobile. If your site is hard to use on phones, you're losing most of your traffic.

The fix:

• Responsive design (adapts to all screen sizes)
• Tap targets at least 44px (fingers aren't tiny)
• Readable text without zooming (16px minimum)
• Prominent, tap-to-call phone number
• Simple navigation with hamburger menu

Mistake #3: Weak or Missing CTAs

The problem: Visitors don't know what to do next. "Contact us" buried in the footer isn't a CTA strategy.

The fix:

• Clear CTA above the fold on every page
• "Book Appointment" or "Schedule Now" (not just "Contact")
• Phone number in header, always visible
• Sticky header or floating button on mobile
• Multiple CTAs throughout long pages

Mistake #4: No Online Booking

The problem: Patients expect to book online. Requiring a phone call during business hours loses patients who search at night or prefer not to call.

The fix:

• Add online scheduling (NexHealth, Weave, etc.)
• Make the booking button prominent
• Allow same-day/next-day appointment requests
• Keep forms short (name, phone, preferred time)

Mistake #5: Missing Trust Signals

The problem: New patients don't know if they can trust you. No reviews, no credentials, no photos = doubt.

The fix:

• Display Google reviews prominently on homepage
• Provider photos and bios
• Credentials, certifications, continuing education
• Before/after photos (with consent)
• Insurance/payment options clearly listed

Mistake #6: Outdated Content

The problem: Copyright 2019, old team photos, "Coming soon" sections. Signals an inactive, possibly closed practice.

The fix:

• Update copyright year automatically
• Current team photos and bios
• Remove "under construction" sections
• Add recent blog posts or news
• Keep hours and services current

Mistake #7: Complicated Forms

The problem: Long contact forms with required fields for information you don't need. Every extra field reduces submissions.

The fix:

• Minimum viable information: name, phone, reason
• Make email optional
• Remove unnecessary fields
• Get additional info after they commit
• Clear confirmation after submission

The Bottom Line

Your website has one job: convert visitors into patients. Speed, mobile experience, clear CTAs, online booking, trust signals, current content, and simple forms. Fix these basics and you'll outperform most competitor sites immediately.