Key design elements for health industry websites

When it comes to designing a modern healthcare website, creating a positive user experience for the visitor is essential. Your health website creates a first impression, and we all know that first impressions matter.

A well-designed healthcare website isn't just about aesthetics; it's your primary marketing tool for patient engagement, trust-building, and efficient service delivery.

This article takes a look at the design elements of a successful health industry website and why they matter.

Essential elements of a successful healthcare website

The key elements of a successful health-related website can be broken down into six areas:

1. User-friendly design
2. Informative and engaging content
3. Visually appealing layout
4. Mobile friendly design
5. Data security
6. Accessibility

Let’s examine each.

User-friendly design

A user-friendly design means creating a positive user experience (UX) for the site visitor. This is so important that there is even a whole industry and career for UX designers. 

What this means for your health website is making the process of finding information as seamless an experience as possible.

• Page load speed: First up, you want your website and pages to load fast. This is called page-load speed and can be checked here. If it's not up to speed (excuse the pun), you could lose your visitors before they even arrive.
• Intuitive navigation: This means having a clean design with clear drop-down menus for categorising information. To accompany this should be a search functionality, as some users prefer to search for specific information instead of navigating the menus.
• CTA’s: Make it easy for them to take action with clear call-to-actions (CTA) buttons. These can be used to contact your organisation, schedule an appointment, or access a patient portal.

Great UX means the user doesn't have to think while navigating your site. Imagine an elderly person visiting your site—will they be able to find the information they’re looking for?

Informative and engaging content

As we're dealing with health-related content here, having accurate information is vital. Moreover, it needs to be presented in an easy-to-understand, jargon-free manner.

• Visuals: Oftentimes, words are not the best medium to communicate ideas. Use dynamic visuals such as explainer videos, infographics.
• 
  Blog: Having a blog is a great way to establish yourself as an authority in your health niche and can be used to provide in-depth information on specific topics, health tips, and any news relevant to your area.

All of this information can be accessed through the search functionality mentioned in the previous section.

Visually appealing layout

Does your organisation have brand positioning, and is this conveyed on your website? Professional branding means consistency with colours, fonts, and imagery throughout all your marketing materials.

Your health brand should convey high quality and professionalism. You can achieve this with specific design elements, including:

• Whitespace: Avoid clutter by giving content room to breathe.
• Personal imagery: Include real photos of staff and facilities to build trust.
• Consistent typography: Use readable fonts with clear hierarchies.
• Top-notch content: As per the previous section, aim for useful, high-value content.

Mobile-friendly design

This is a big one. You know when you explore the web on your phone and websites appear to magically function properly? That's not by accident. It's called "responsive website design."

Considering that more than half of internet usage is carried out on mobiles now (statista), having a mobile-responsive health website is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.

Responsive design means your website will automatically adjust depending on the device a person is using, whether that be a computer, tablet or mobile phone.

Data security

In this day and age, cyber security is vital for securing your health organisation's highly sensitive data.

If you haven't already, you will want to ensure your developer or cybersecurity expert has implemented bulletproof encryption for your website through the use of HTTPS and secure online forms.

Additionally, your organisation needs to remain compliant with local data protection laws such as the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). This means having clear privacy policies that inform users about data usage and security measures.

Accessibility means designing for everyone

Accessibility is a must for healthcare so that your site is usable for all visitors, including those with disabilities. By creating an inclusive experience, you are reflecting your commitment to care and compassion.

Here’s how to make your site accessible:

• Screen reader compatibility: Use semantic HTML and ARIA roles to help screen readers navigate your site for visually impaired users.
• Strong colour contrast: Choose colours that ensure text is easy to read for everyone, even those with low vision.
• Alt text for images: Every non-text element, such as photos and graphics, should include descriptive alt text. This assists users with visual impairments to understand content they cannot see.
• Keyboard navigation: Make sure your site is fully navigable without a mouse, so users can access all features with a keyboard alone.

Design for trust and engagement

Take a look at Adjust Web Design who provide health and chiropractic website design services at affordable prices. They understand the health sector and provide responsive, healthcare-focused design work that caters to all health care practitioners. 

An effective healthcare website goes beyond aesthetics. It combines user-friendliness, security, accessibility, and engaging content to create an online presence that meets your patients' needs. 

Most importantly, a high quality, thoughtfully designed website builds lasting trust. 

Key takeaways

• Inclusive design builds trust: Accessibility features like screen reader compatibility, colour contrast, and alt text ensure your website serves all users, including those with disabilities.
• Simple steps, big impact: Small adjustments, such as keyboard navigation and semantic HTML, create a smoother experience for everyone without compromising design quality.
• Accessibility reflects values: An inclusive website shows your organisation cares about every individual, reinforcing the healthcare industry’s commitment to equality and compassion.

Marshall Thurlow is founder of Adjust Web Design, specialising in affordable, high-quality chiropractic websites tailored to the unique needs of healthcare practices. With over a decade of experience and a background as a chiropractic assistant turned marketing expert, Marshall combines industry knowledge with creative web design to help practitioners grow their online presence.