By Artem Korsakov ·
A clinic website redesign starts with the question of why changes are needed. An outdated appearance may be obvious to everyone, but the real problem might lie elsewhere: an administrator cannot update prices, a mobile form loses the selected doctor or branch information, or branches are mixed on a single page. If these tasks are not separated, the new design may simply preserve old difficulties.
Document What Is Already Working
Before designing the new version, create a list of active pages, forms, and connected services. Review which materials help staff answer questions and which pages generate inquiries. The source of such conclusions must be clear: analytics data, verified applications, or administrator observations. Opinions about the site's aesthetics do not count as such a source.
Functions that are useful should be preserved; old blocks have no value on their own. For example, a price table may look inconvenient but might be the only up-to-date source for visitors. It needs to be migrated into a suitable structure and an update schedule defined. Replacing it with a photograph and a generic button is insufficient.
Check access permissions:
- to the domain;
- to website hosting;
- to analytics tools;
- to the content management system.
If anything belongs to a previous contractor, the transfer of ownership must be resolved before switching to the new version. Otherwise, a technically ready site may remain inaccessible for launch.
Separate Repair from Reconstruction
Local modifications are suitable when main pages are clear, data is organized, and only a specific scenario needs fixing. For example, making the mobile menu readable or ensuring selected service details are passed to the inquiry form.
A structural overhaul is necessary if the current organization hinders operations: adding a branch requires copying dozens of blocks, doctor information contradicts itself, and services cannot be linked to bookings. In such cases, changing colors does not solve the problem. Data and management methods must be reviewed.
In a hypothetical example, a clinic opens a second branch. The website for the first address does not necessarily need to be created from scratch. First, check if separate contacts, services, and specialists can be added without confusion. The decision depends on the current site's architecture and development plans. Design age is secondary here.
Preserve Addresses and Meaningful Links
For each important old page, determine its fate: keep the address, migrate the content, or redirect visitors to a suitable new material. Mass-redirecting all deleted pages to the homepage creates an inconvenient path for users arriving via specific links.
Request that the contractor prepare a mapping of old and new URLs. Also verify internal links, images, documents, and transitions from external clinic materials. Migrating addresses helps maintain site coherence, but by itself does not guarantee previous search engine positions.
Materials should be verified by content. Old text might mention a discontinued service or a doctor who no longer practices. The contractor does not determine medical accuracy: the clinic appoints someone responsible for verification. Migration and content validation are separate tasks.
Verify Working Scenarios on the New Version
Before launch, test several routes on a mobile device. Find a service, select a doctor and branch, and submit a test inquiry. Then ensure staff receive all details and understand the next steps.
If using a widget or booking integration, compare its operation with the old site. A new button might lead to the previous service but lose transition parameters. Cancellation, unavailable schedules, and alternative contact methods must be checked separately. Booking options are compared in the article "Online Booking for Clinics". Test inquiries must be marked so they do not mix with real operational requests.
During the acceptance phase, it is useful to distinguish between errors and new requests. If an agreed-upon transition fails, it must be fixed. If a decision is made after review to add another section, the new scope is evaluated. Such separation facilitates project completion.
Organize Switch-Over and Subsequent Monitoring
Agree on launch time, responsible personnel, and a method to restore the previous version in case of serious issues. Save copies of materials and connected system settings. After switching, verify URLs, forms, documents, and access permissions on the live domain.
To discuss an update, provide the current website and several specific problems. Together with trike_dev, you can determine where modifications suffice and where a structural overhaul is justified. A sample structure is shown in the clinic solution. The starting point should be a clinic workflow scenario that needs improvement.
Частые вопросы ### Is it necessary to rewrite all texts simultaneously?
No, if part of the content has been verified and fits the new structure.
Can a redesign itself increase the number of inquiries?
This is a hypothesis verified by data after launch; visual appearance is not a guarantee of results.