Speaking with some new practice owners, DIY websites can seem like a popular and budget-friendly option. We never speak against that approach—every owner has their own path, and in the early stages of launching a dental practice, it’s natural to explore the most cost-effective tools.

But after working with 1000+ of dental practices and seeing their challenges firsthand, we’ve noticed a few recurring patterns. There are important factors worth considering when deciding whether to build your own website or work with a company like DocSites.

Here are the top three areas to think about before choosing:

#1: Time—The One Thing You Can’t Get Back

As a practice owner, your time is your most valuable asset. The question isn’t can you build your own site. The question is—should you?

Building a strong online presence isn’t just about plugging a few photos into a template. A quality website includes custom content for each service you offer, optimized images, patient-friendly design, and integration with tools like online scheduling, forms, and Google Maps. Then comes SEO, mobile responsiveness, and ongoing updates.

All of that takes time—and if you’re doing it yourself, it’s not just a few hours here and there. It adds up. And every hour spent figuring out website plugins or trying to troubleshoot broken links is an hour taken away from training your team, refining systems, or building relationships with patients.

#2: Performance – A Good Looking Website Means Nothing if It Can’t Be Found

We’ve reviewed dozens of DIY websites that look decent on the surface, but simply don’t perform when it comes to online visibility.

Here’s the truth: Most DIY platforms aren’t designed for SEO. Sure, they can be optimized, but only if you know exactly what to do. That includes setting up proper page titles and meta descriptions, optimizing content around local keywords,, and more. These are not always intuitive or built into drag-and-drop templates.

This is why so many practice owners come to us saying, “I have a website, but it’s not bringing in any new patients.” In many cases, it’s not their fault—it’s the limitations of the platform and the lack of strategy behind the build.

#3: Experience & Support—What You Don’t Know Can Cost You

When you work with a company like DocSites, you’re not just getting a website—you’re gaining a team that understands dental marketing. We’ve spent over 16 years refining what actually works online for dentists.

That includes monthly support to keep your site fresh, technical updates you don’t need to worry about, and honest feedback when something can be improved. We know what matters to patients, what Google is looking for, and what features help convert visitors into scheduled appointments.

At just $79/month and no long-term contracts, our goal is to make professional marketing accessible—without sacrificing quality or service.

The Real Cost of DIY

In the short term, building your own site might save you a few dollars. But in the long run, it can cost more in missed opportunities—new patients who never find you, referrals who leave your site confused, or a brand that doesn’t reflect the level of care you offer.

A dental website shouldn’t just exist—it should work for you.

If you’re in that in-between phase—either launching your practice or realizing your DIY website isn’t delivering—consider taking the next step. Even a quick assessment can shed light on where your current site stands and what improvements could help drive growth.

We offer a free website and SEO assessment, with no strings attached. Just real insights to help you move forward with clarity.

Running a dental practice is already demanding. Your website should be an asset, not another thing on your plate. Whether you’re just starting or ready to upgrade, choose a solution that aligns with your time, your goals, and your growth.

Have questions or want a free second opinion on your site? We’re here to help.

When a new patient calls your office, that first conversation can determine whether they book an appointment or keep searching. A friendly, informed, and confident front desk team makes all the difference. Here’s a simple action plan to help your office handle new patient calls the right way.

1. Keep Your Front Desk in the Loop

Your marketing efforts bring in calls, so your front desk needs to know what’s going on. If you’re running an ad for teeth whitening, patients will ask about it. If you have a special offer, they should be able to explain it. Make it a habit to update your front desk on any promotions, new treatments, or changes. A short meeting once a week or a shared document with key details will help them stay prepared.

2. Know the Treatments and Services

Every call is different. Someone asking about a routine cleaning doesn’t need the same information as someone considering dental implants. Your team should be ready to answer basic questions about all treatments confidently. Keep a simple FAQ document handy so they always have quick, clear answers. If they don’t know something, train them to say, “That’s a great question! Let me check with the doctor and get back to you.” This builds trust with patients instead of leaving them with vague or incorrect information.

3. Sound Warm, Friendly, and Confident

A patient may be calling multiple offices, trying to find the best fit. How your team sounds on the phone can make a big difference. A friendly greeting like “Thank you for calling [Practice Name], this is [Your Name]. How can I help you today?” sets a welcoming tone. Encourage your team to smile while they talk—it actually makes their voice sound warmer. And no rushing! Even if the office is busy, patients should feel like they have your full attention.

4. Guide the Call Toward Booking an Appointment

The goal of every call is to get the patient scheduled. Instead of just answering questions and waiting for the patient to decide, guide the conversation toward making an appointment. Try something like:

• “We’d love to take care of you! I have an opening on [Date/Time]. Does that work for you?”
  If they hesitate, offer reassurance:
• “I can pencil you in now, and if you need to reschedule, just let us know.”
  If insurance is a concern, say:
• “We work with many insurance plans. I’d be happy to check your benefits for you.”
  The more helpful and confident your team is, the more likely the patient will say yes.

5. Follow Up if Needed

Not everyone books on the first call, and that’s okay. But don’t just leave it at that. A quick follow-up call or text a few days later can make a big difference. A simple message like “Hi [Patient Name], we wanted to check if you had any other questions. We’d love to schedule you when you’re ready!” shows that you care.

Simple Steps for Big Results

By keeping your front desk team informed, confident, and genuinely helpful, you’ll turn more phone calls into appointments. A few small changes in how you handle these calls can lead to more new patients and a stronger practice.

If you’d like help refining your phone strategy, reach out! We’re here to support your success.

Starting your own dental practice is an exciting journey, but it comes with challenges. From business planning to financing and marketing, there’s a lot to figure out. That’s why we’re hosting a 4-hour live workshop designed to help you start and grow your own successful dental practice!

Join us on Saturday, March 1st in El Segundo, CA for an exclusive, in-person workshop where dental professionals and industry experts will share insights, strategies, and actionable steps to help you navigate practice ownership.

What You’ll Learn in This Workshop:

✅ How to Successfully Open a Dental Practice in SoCal
Understand the key steps, legal considerations, and best practices for starting your own practice.

✅ Business Planning, Financing & Marketing Strategies
Get expert advice on setting up your business structure, securing financing, and creating a marketing plan to attract quality patients.

✅ Connect with Industry Experts & Get Your Questions Answered
Learn from professionals who have helped hundreds of dentists establish and grow their practices.

Event Details:

📅 Date: Saturday, March 1st
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Patterson Dental, 185 S Douglas St, STE 100, El Segundo, CA

🎟️ How to Register:
Reserve your spot today by emailing: dg.zhevent@bofa.com

If you’ve been thinking about opening your own dental practice but don’t know where to start, this workshop will give you the tools and confidence to take the next step. Whether you’re in the early planning phase or ready to make your dream a reality, you’ll gain valuable insights and connections to help you succeed.

A patient referral program is one of the smartest and most affordable ways to grow your dental practice. By encouraging your satisfied patients to refer friends and family, you can bring in new patients, build trust, and reduce your marketing costs. Referrals are powerful because people trust recommendations from those they know.

If you don’t have a referral program, you’re likely spending more on ads and other marketing efforts to acquire new patients. A referral program allows one happy patient to bring in several new ones, lowering costs and increasing your return on investment (ROI).

Why Referrals Are So Valuable 

Referred patients tend to stay longer and are more loyal because they already trust your practice. Plus, word-of-mouth referrals spread naturally, meaning you can grow your patient base without constantly increasing your marketing budget.

Implementing a Referral Program

1 – Make it easy: Give patients simple ways to refer to your practice, like referral cards or a digital link they can share. Include referral messaging in your emails and text messages with patients.

2 – Reward referrals: Offer a small thank-you gift, discount, or service credit for each successful referral (if allowable by your State).

3 – Get the word out: Talk about your appreciation for referrals during appointments, include it in follow-up emails, and display it in your office. You can also include a dedicated page on your website explaining the referral program and highlighting success stories or top referrers.

4 – Engage Your Team: Run a friendly competition among staff to see who can encourage the most patient referrals, with prizes like a team lunch or gift cards. However, make sure everyone benefits from success.

5 – Highlight Referral Program Success Stories: Showcase real patients who have successfully referred others. Share their stories (with permission) in newsletters, on social media, and on your website. This inspires others to participate.

6 – Leverage Social Media Referrals: Encourage patients to post about your practice on social media and tag your office for a chance to win a prize. 

Ensure your Referral Program is Successful

Making it a team effort to gain more referrals, and including rewards for your team members so that they are benefiting from their efforts is also an important part of implementing this.

By setting up a referral program, you can attract new patients more easily and reduce your marketing expenses at the same time.

If you’re looking to improve your online presence, The DocSites is here to help. Reach out to us for a free, no-obligation assessment of your online presence. We offer affordable and effectives Websites & Online Marketing for dentists.

When potential patients search for an “Emergency Dentist in (city),” Google aims to provide the most relevant results. 

Importance of Optimizing Business Descriptions

To improve your chances of appearing in these search results, it’s crucial to optimize your business descriptions across your website, Google My Business profile, and other platforms like Facebook and Yelp.

Google’s algorithm prioritizes content that directly matches user questions, so your business descriptions should start with the phrases people are searching for. 

Practical Tips for Effective Descriptions

For example, a description like “We Are Happy To Provide Dental Care for People in Pain at Smile Happy, call us today,” might sound welcoming, but it misses a key opportunity to use relevant keywords upfront.

A better approach would be: “If you’re looking for an Emergency Dentist in (City), we are happy to provide same-day dental care at Smile Happy…” 

This not only includes the targeted keyword phrase but also positions your practice as a direct answer to the user’s questions.

This simple adjustment can significantly increase your online presence and attract more patients to your practice.

Remember, your goal is to match the language of your potential patients and make it as easy as possible for them to find you. 

Optimize your business descriptions today and watch your search rankings improve!

If you want to improve your local visibility and optimize your business descriptions for better SEO, we provide affordable and effective Websites & Online Marketing with no long-term contracts, transparent pricing, and excellent customer service for dentists. Reach out to us today to request a free, no-obligation demo!

If your dental practice isn’t showing up on Google Maps when searching “dentist” or “dentist near me,” you could be missing out on valuable local traffic.

Here’s how to improve your visibility:

1. Optimize Your Website with Metadata and Schema Tags

Ensure your website has proper metadata, like title tags and meta descriptions, to help search engines understand your content. Schema markup provides additional details like your business name, location, and services, making it easier for Google to match your site with local search queries.

2. Use Google My Business Features Like Social Media

Google My Business (GMB) isn’t just a listing; it’s a dynamic tool where you can post updates, offers, and team photos. Regular updates signal to Google that your business is active, helping to boost your visibility.

3. Regularly Update Your Photos

Keeping your GMB profile fresh with high-quality photos of your practice, team, and services makes your listing more engaging. Google prefers active profiles, so regularly updating images can improve your ranking.

4. Add Detailed Service Descriptions

Clearly list all the services you offer on your GMB profile, using relevant keywords. Detailed descriptions help your practice show up in more specific searches, increasing your chances of being found.

5. Get Reviews

Reviews are a major factor in local search rankings. Encourage happy patients to leave positive feedback and respond to all reviews professionally to show engagement.

6. Utilize Q&A for Keywords

Use the Q&A feature on GMB to engage with potential patients and include relevant keywords. Add common questions and helpful answers to make your profile more informative and keyword-rich.

Following these steps will help improve your Google Maps visibility, attract more patients, and grow your dental practice. At The DocSites, we know how important good marketing is for dental practices. We offer affordable and effective SEO & Marketing Packages just for you. Contact us and schedule a free demo to see how we can help your practice grow.