Website terms explained for doctors
Agencies often talk in jargon. Here are the words you’ll hear most, in one line each.
The basics
- Domain – your website’s address, like yourclinic.com. You should always own it, in your name.
- Hosting – the rented computer space where your website lives. Paid yearly.
- SSL (the padlock) – keeps your website secure. Every website needs it; it should never cost extra.
- CMS – a tool for editing your website without code, like WordPress.
Design words
- Mobile-friendly (responsive) – the website works properly on a phone. Most of your patients will use one.
- Landing page – a single page built for one purpose, such as booking an implant consultation.
- Call to action – the button you want people to press, like “Book on WhatsApp”.
Search and ads words
- SEO – making your website show up when people search on Google, without paying for ads.
- Google Business Profile – your clinic’s listing on Google Maps and search: timings, photos, reviews.
- Keywords – the words patients type, like “dental implant cost in Pune”.
- Google Ads – paid listings at the top of Google. You pay when someone clicks.
Results words
- Conversion – a visitor did what you wanted: booked, called or sent a WhatsApp message.
- Cost per patient – what you spent on ads divided by the patients who booked. This number matters more than clicks or views.
Three questions worth asking any agency
- Will the domain, website and ad accounts be in my name?
- What will you report each month: clicks, or patients who booked?
- What happens to my website if we stop working together?
If the answers aren’t clear, ask again.
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