How to Choose the Best Dental Website Template
Need a new site but don’t want to start from scratch? Check out the best dental website templates built for speed, SEO, and conversions.
- 5 min read
- Jul 2023
-
Shauna Simons
- Originally published 04/13/21,
- updated 07/10/23
- by Shauna Simons
Key Points
- Template vs. custom — templates are faster and budget-friendly, while custom designs offer more flexibility and control.
- Timeline matters — need your site live in under 8–10 weeks? A template is your best choice.
- Focus on essentials — choose a WordPress template that’s mobile-first, SEO-ready, and integrates with your systems.
- Avoid pitfalls — make sure your site is nonproprietary, easy to edit, and optimized with original copy and images.
- Don’t go it alone — even templates need expert setup to perform and convert new patients.
- :Delmain builds optimized dental websites that attract and convert the right patients.
Do you need a new dental website? If it’s been more than 5 years since you last updated your website, the answer is probably YES!
Custom-designed websites offer many benefits, but they’re not for everyone. If you’re interested in getting more new patients but aren’t ready to invest in a fully custom website, a dental website template may be exactly what you need.
What is a dental website template?
You can add your own images, colors, and copy to a templated design, but the fundamental features of your site cannot be changed. With a templated website, you can’t guarantee that another dentist won’t have a very similar-looking website.
Beyond aesthetics, the best dental website design should also support SEO, patient trust, and easy appointment scheduling.
What makes a good dental website template?
Before choosing a dental website template, it helps to understand what separates a good template from one that will hold your practice back.
Evaluation criteria list:
Mobile responsiveness
A mobile-friendly dental website design is essential today because most patients will view your site on their phone. Your template must adapt to smaller screens and keep buttons, navigation, and booking options easy to use.
Appointment booking integration
A strong template allows you to connect online booking tools so patients can schedule without calling your office.
Service page structure
A strong dental website layout should include a dedicated page for each service (implants, Invisalign, emergency care). This gives both patients and search engines a clear understanding of what you offer.
SEO compatibility
The best SEO friendly dental website templates allow you to control page titles, headings, schema markup, and other elements that help your practice appear in local search results.
Accessibility
Good templates follow accessibility guidelines so patients with visual or motor challenges can still use your site.
Page speed
Heavy templates slow down websites. Fast-loading pages help both SEO and patient experience.
Custom or templated dental website design?
Take our quiz to evaluate whether your practice needs a custom website or one of the many dental website design templates available today.
What is your budget?
Custom dental websites will cost your practice between 6,000-$12,000, depending on your needs. On the other hand, a dental website template will keep the cost of a new website below $6,000.
Do you have a strict budget that must stay under $6,000?
- If yes, you need a templated website design
- If no, continue to the next question
What is your timeline?
Dental website templates are already designed, so can be created faster than a custom site — usually under 10 weeks.
Keep in mind that the information on your site — all the copy and images — should still be original. Never sign up for a templated site that is 100% stock photos with copy-and-pasted content.
Do you need to have a new site ready in under 8 weeks?
- If yes, you need a templated website design
- If no, continue to the next question
What’s the vision for your website design?
The design of your templated website is more or less set in stone. While you’ll be able to customize elements like colors, images, and content, the design (including the look, feel, and function) cannot be altered.
Do you have a specific vision for your website?
- If no, a templated website design might be the perfect solution
- If yes, you need a custom design
What’s the goal of your website?
Your website can and should be your #1 source of new patients. That’s why many practices focus on dental website conversion optimization, so that the site layout and calls-to-action encourage visitors to schedule an appointment.
But certain templated websites can make that challenging. However, the same can also be said of a custom-designed website. The important thing here is to make sure that, whatever route you choose, work with someone to set up your site in a way that’s optimized to meet your digital marketing goals and get new patients through your doors.
Do you want a website that’s optimized for performance?*
- If yes, a templated or custom website can help meet your goals (as long as you know what you’re doing — or work with someone who does!)
*Trick question — your website, whether a templated or custom design, should always be optimized for performance!
Still not sure what type of website will best fit your needs?
Contact us to book an intro call. We help dentists make this decision every single day!
Choosing the best website template for your practice
If you’re confident a templated design is the best choice for your practice, the next step is picking a template. This is typically the hardest part for dentists — there are so many templates to choose from.
We can bring a bit of clarity and simplicity to the process. Below are some of the most important things to consider when choosing a template for your dental website.
Here are a few practical considerations that dentists often overlook when selecting a template.
- Content Management System (CMS) — We always recommend building your website in WordPress, but many dental website templates are found in Squarespace and Wix. Always double-check that the CMS and template you choose is mobile first and can integrate with your practice management system.
- Content — Is there important information that must be included on the homepage (for example, a section on insurance and financing)? If so, make sure your chosen template offers space in the design for these details.
- Number of pages — Our dental website templates do not have a page limit, but keep in mind that many other template options do!
- Non-proprietary — Make sure you will own your website and that the website code is nonproprietary. You should be able to make edits to the site yourself. Plus, even if you’re working with an agency or designer to create your website, you should be able to take it with you/keep it if you ever choose to leave that partnership.
At Delmain, we offer a variety of modern dental website templates and will ask a series of questions to combine our templated page designs into a website that’s uniquely yours.
Looking for a more customized website solution?
Check out our list of the best custom website examples of the year for inspiration.
You chose a template, now what?
Choosing the template is very important, but it’s still only part of the entire website creation process. Unless you have a dedicated design and development team on staff, we never recommend setting up a website on your own.
Here’s just a small snapshot of what else is involved in the process of setting up a new website:
- Creating a sitemap
- Writing original, keyword-optimized headlines, copy, and CTAs (calls-to-action)
- Adding images
- Creating calls-to-action and integrating any online booking features
- Following technical best practices and optimizing your entire site for SEO
- Setting up and adding tracking numbers to monitor website performance
So many dentists are tricked by advertisements of “free dental website templates!”. The template may look nice, but the reality is that these “free” websites still require so much work and know-how that the end result is often a disaster.
FAQ: dental website templates
What should a dental website include?
Are website templates good for dental practices?
How much does a dental website cost?
Do dental website templates affect SEO?
Can dentists customize website templates?
Ready to grow your practice with a new website?
A strong dental website should load fast, work perfectly on all devices, clearly explain your services, and make it easy for patients to schedule an appointment. When those pieces are in place, your website becomes one of the most reliable sources of new patients.
At Delmain, we help dentists build sites designed to support visibility and patient conversions.
Want to see how your website could perform better? Start with a free intro call.
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