After highlighting why a strong website is essential for healthcare organisations in our last post, let’s dive into what you need to consider when developing a new site or redesigning an existing one.
We have developed a checklist of what you’ll need to think about—and how we at Medical Sphere guide you through every step of the way.
Healthcare Website Development Checklist
1.Branding
- Have your branding finalised including name and logo.
- This should be documented in a set of branding guidelines, which outline how your brand is consistently applied across digital and print platforms.
How we help: We work with you to develop a strong brand foundation- creating your logo, colours, fonts and documenting it all in comprehensive branding guidelines. We will design your key brand assets including letter heads, patient information templates, business and appointment cards, social media templates and email signatures.
2. Domain and Hosting
- Secure a domain name that reflects your brand and is easy to remember.
- We recommend registering a couple of domain variations (e.g. www.johnsmith.com.au and dr.johnsmith.com.au) to protect your brand and avoid confusion.
- Ensure your domain is registered under your business name and that you have access to the login credentials.
- Choose reliable hosting to ensure your website is secure, fast, and always accessible.
How we help: We support you to ensure your domains are correctly set up. We also take care of hosting—setting you up on a secure, high-performance platform with SSL, backups, and local support to keep your site running smoothly.
3. Your Audience(s), Website Navigation and User Experience
- Consider your target audience – for example: patients, families, GPs, specialists, allied health professionals, or future team members.
- What are their needs and expectations when they visit your website?
- Do you need a secure referral and/or patient registration form to streamline your workflow?
- How can the site be structured to help them find the information they need quickly and easily?
- What key content should be included to support their journey and address their questions?
How we help: We develop tailored content strategies that consider your full audience mix — from patients and families to healthcare professionals and future team members. Our goal is to ensure every page speaks to the right people in the right tone.
We create clear, engaging content and structure your website so that every visitor can easily navigate and find the information they need. Whether it’s a prospective patient looking for reassurance or a GP referring to you, we make sure the content works for them.
4. Content (Written, Video, Photo & Graphics)
- What conditions treated and procedures should be highlighted?
- Do you have existing written content? Does this need to be updated?
- What are the most common questions patients or referrers ask?
- Do you require photography, team profiles, or new video content?
- Will your site benefit from a blog, video library, or patient education hub?
How We Help: We create clear, patient-friendly content that is compliant, SEO-optimised, tailored to your audience, and reflective of your speciality. Our approach ensures your messaging is informative without being overwhelming, remains compassionate in tone, and effectively speaks to the diverse groups visiting your site – from patients and families to referrers and healthcare professionals.
5. Calls to Action
- Are there clear prompts for booking appointments, contacting your practice, or accessing key resources?
How We Help: We design strategic, well-placed calls to action that guide users naturally through your site — helping convert visits into bookings, enquiries, or deeper engagement.
6. Compliance & Security
- Is your website fully compliant with current healthcare regulations?
- Does your content align with AHPRA advertising guidelines?
- Are privacy, security, and data protection standards being met?
How We Help: We design and develop with compliance at the forefront, ensuring your website is inclusive, secure, and aligned with all relevant healthcare regulations. From AHPRA guidelines to data protection standards, we help you stay legally sound and patient safe, helping protecting you and your brand.
7. Mobile Responsiveness
- Does your site work well on all screen sizes?
- Is mobile loading speed optimised?
How we help: All websites we build are mobile-first and performance-optimised, so your users get a seamless experience on any device.
8. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
- Can people find you when they search relevant terms?
- Are your services and locations appearing on Google?
How we help: We implement foundational organic SEO strategies, set up your Google Business Profile, and offer ongoing support to improve your website’s visibility and search rankings.
9. Social Media Integration
- Is there seamless integration with your social media channels and email marketing platforms like Mailchimp to engage your audience effectively?
How We Help: We integrate your website with social media and email marketing platforms like Mailchimp, enabling consistent communication, stronger audience engagement, and seamless content sharing. We also ensure your social media channels are set up to link back to your website, creating a connected and cohesive digital presence.
10. Ongoing Maintenance and Support
- Who will keep your site updated, secure, and running smoothly?
- What happens if something breaks, or you need to add a new team member?
How we help: We offer support plans that cover regular content updates, website performance, backups, and proactive security monitoring—giving you peace of mind and access to an experienced web developer whenever you need it.
We Ask the Right Questions—So You Don’t Have To
At Medical Sphere, we know the healthcare space and the digital space—and how to bring them together. We ask the right questions from day one, so nothing is missed.
Whether you’re a solo specialist or a large hospital group, we tailor your website to your audience, your brand, and your business goals.
Let’s Make It Easy!
We understand that building a new website can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re busy caring for patients. That’s why we simplify the process, handle the heavy lifting, and collaborate with you every step of the way.