Another strategy is to engage with a website design agency.  I'm in two minds about this strategy. 

On one hand, you get something which looks really good and will be a polished product.  On the other - we know that it's not about 'looking good' which makes a website effective - it's the content and layout.  This is where the confusion begins.  Ultimately using a web design agency to develop your website means you have to pretty much write the content for them.  Or at least, review all the copy for accuracy and truth.  I doubt many web design agencies could write you a blurb about what a MedsCheck is in language that will work with your customers (and their search terms).  

So what do you do is the question?

I suggest this approach:

1. Talk with your accountant and find out what the benchmark % is for marketing your business
2. Look around at quality, well written pharmacy websites such as: (www.palmspringspharmacy.com.au ; www.emilyroberts.com.au ; www.katanningpharmacy.com.au ; www.rhpharmacy.com.au )
   
3. Ask yourself - Do I have the time to do it myself?  Do I have the skill to do it myself? 
   

Ultimately, just 'whacking up' a website and ticking it off the to-do list can end in lost customers and sales.  Spending thousands in your time and money to get something that is half finished and content poor is also a waste.

If you'd like help in the area - it's what we do.  The team have given advice to many community pharmacies who have avoided making mistakes and spending unncessary money.  Contact us today if you would like to know more.

Being resourceful and not wasting money is the bread and butter of small business.  Pharmacies who are extravagant often lose out when the tough times hit.  The last ten years in pharmacy has proven that. 

When it comes to producing a website, we talk with many customers who rightly identify that they can do their own website for $300, they're shocked, they're mystified and they're not wrong.  Yes, you can do a website for $300.  It's 'a' website, not necessarily an effective website or a website that will drive more business for you.  

For $300 a small business can get a very basic, content poor website that will show: 

1. Their name
2. An image (usually not representative of their staff or pharmacy)
3. Their opening hours
4. Their contact details

That's great if you don't want to showcase your products and services, if you don't want Google to associate your pharmacy with customer searches for products and services and if you don't want to appear at the top of the Google search rankings.  

If you want more however there are some questions you should ask yourself:

• Who is going to write all the content for the site?
• Who is going to do the graphics, design and layout?
• Who will map the customer journey?
• Who will author the site?
• Who will test it with customers to see if it works?
• How much time do I need to do all this?
• If it's up to me, what costs are associated with my time? Is my time better spent with customers?
• Do I have the skills to link it up to my domain?
• How can I ensure my content is correctly tagged and the site map is functional?
• How will I keep the content fresh and relevant?
• After I do all of this - how can I ensure this is driving customers instore?

The real cost of web design