Your website is often the first impression potential patients have of your practice. A poorly designed website can cost you patients before they ever walk through your door. A great website can be your best marketing asset, working 24/7 to attract and convert new patients.
We have analyzed hundreds of successful medical websites and distilled the essentials into this 37-point checklist. Whether you are building a new site or auditing an existing one, use this guide to ensure you have not missed anything critical.
Priority Levels Explained
Design & User Experience (10 Items)
First impressions matter. Patients judge your practice based on your website within seconds of landing on it. A modern, professional design builds trust instantly.
60%+ of patients search on mobile devices
53% of users leave if a page takes more than 3 seconds
Patients should find info in 2 clicks or less
Blues, greens, and whites convey trust and cleanliness
Real photos of your practice outperform stock images
Builds recognition and trust
Many patients have vision impairments
Required for ADA compliance
Prevents overwhelming visitors
Phone number and appointment button visible immediately
Mobile-First is Non-Negotiable
Over 60% of healthcare searches happen on mobile devices. If your website is not mobile-friendly, you are invisible to most potential patients. Google also uses mobile-first indexing, meaning your mobile site determines your rankings.
SEO & Visibility (8 Items)
A beautiful website is worthless if no one can find it. Search engine optimization ensures your practice appears when patients search for services in your area.
Essential for local pack rankings
Include city/neighborhood names
Helps Google understand your practice
Same info across all online listings
Helps with image search and accessibility
Helps search engines crawl your site
Fresh content signals activity to Google
Guides search engine crawlers
Google Business Profile is Your #1 Priority
For local businesses like medical practices, Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is more important than your website for local rankings. Claim it, verify it, optimize it, and keep it updated.
Compliance & Security (7 Items)
Healthcare websites face unique legal requirements. HIPAA, ADA, and various state laws govern how you collect and protect patient information. Non-compliance can result in fines, lawsuits, and damaged reputation.
Required for HIPAA and builds trust
Legally required and builds trust
No PHI sent via regular email
Protects your practice legally
Required in many jurisdictions
Avoid lawsuits and serve all patients
Required for HIPAA compliance
For a deep dive into HIPAA requirements specifically, see ourComplete HIPAA Website Compliance Guide.
Essential Features (12 Items)
These are the features patients expect from a modern medical website. Missing them creates friction in the patient journey and drives them to competitors.
Most important action for mobile users
67% of patients prefer online booking
Detailed descriptions improve SEO
Patients want to know their doctor
Include parking info and landmarks
Social proof increases conversions
Common question from new patients
Saves time during visits
Reduces phone calls and improves SEO
Some patients prefer email over phone
Include in footer on all pages
Captures leads 24/7
of patients prefer online booking
read reviews before choosing a doctor
research online before booking
How to Use This Checklist
- Start with Critical items: These are must-haves that directly impact conversions or compliance. Address these first.
- Move to High Priority: These features significantly improve user experience and SEO. Plan to implement within 30 days.
- Add Recommended features: These nice-to-haves differentiate you from competitors. Implement as resources allow.
- Audit quarterly: Technology and best practices evolve. Review this checklist every 3 months.
The Quick Path to a Complete Medical Website
Building a website with all 37 features from scratch takes months and costs thousands of dollars. Working with a traditional agency means $5,000-$15,000 upfront plus ongoing maintenance fees.
MedSiteAI includes all 37 checklist items out of the box. Our AI-powered platform generates a complete, HIPAA-ready medical website in 60 seconds, with all the design, SEO, compliance, and features checked off:
- Mobile-responsive, fast-loading templates designed for healthcare
- Built-in SEO with schema markup and local optimization
- HIPAA-compliant forms and secure hosting
- Online booking, reviews, chatbot, and all essential features
- Starting at just $29/month with no setup fees