Welcome to the first topic we’re covering in our Heedly blog! Crikey this is exciting!

The chances are you have a website and it has lost its mojo or you’re look to build a new one. Well in either case great work - you are in the right place.

Let’s face it… your veterinary practice’s website is often the first impression potential clients have or at the very least it’s one of your most important platforms for converting clients for your business. So a well-designed, high-converting website doesn’t just make your clinic look great—it actively helps turn visitors into loyal clients.

Here’s how to create a website that works for your vet practice:

1. Make a Strong First Impression

Never a judge a book by its cover is what my Mum always taught me. Well, my Mum was wrong (and not a web developer). First impressions matter!

It’s likely that your homepage will be the page getting the most traffic but all pages on your site are important. It should be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and instantly communicate who you are, what you offer and where you are.

Have a clear headline that explains what sets your practice apart from other vet practices locally, such as "Caring for Pets Like Family – Open 7 Days a Week!"
Keep the design clean, with consistent branding and colours that reflect your clinic’s personality.
Where possible use a high-quality, web optimised images of your team, clinic, or a happy pet to establish trust. Stock or AI generated imagery won’t feel as authentic to the customer.

2. Ensure Easy Navigation

If visitors can’t quickly find the information they need, they’ll leave and look elsewhere. A well-structured menu, a clear layout and intuitive call to actions will help keep visitors engaged.

Keep the main navigation simple—no more than 5-7 main menu items.
Include key pages such as Services, About Us, Pricing, Contact, and Appointment Booking.
Use call-to-action buttons available on any page like “Book an Appointment” or “Call Us Today” in visible locations.

3. Optimise for Mobile Users

Do you visit more website on your phone than on your laptop? Thought so... so design for that. (If you answered no, you’re either lying or living a very relaxed life in the countryside).

We find that over 69% of our clients website visits now come from mobile devices, so a website being mobile-friendly can’t just be an after thought, but should be the primary platform you optimise for otherwise you’re likely turning away potential clients.

Use a responsive design that adjusts to different screen sizes.
Ensure text is readable without zooming and buttons are easy to tap.
Test your website on multiple devices to ensure a smooth experience.

*Optimising for mobile is vital for success*

4. Improve Website Load Speed

This is often overlooked and under appreciated, but everyone has been on a slow website and knows how infuriating it is! Cough (buying concert tickets) cough.

A slow website can frustrate visitors and negatively impact your Google ranking. Studies show that a 3-second delay can reduce conversions by 20%—so speed matters.

Optimise images by compressing them without losing quality. A great tool for web optimising images is Squoosh.
Use fast, reliable website hosting for better performance. Big and reliable players will do a great job with this, for example
Minimize unnecessary plugins and scripts that slow down loading times.

If you want to check out the speed of your website you can use Google’s PageSpeed Insights.

5. Include Trust Signals

New pet owners need reassurance that your clinic is reputable and professional. Trust signals help build credibility and encourage bookings.

Showcase real client reviews and testimonials to highlight positive experiences. Two great platforms for vets to focus on for reviews are Google and VetHelpDirect.
Display your accreditations, certifications, and years of experience. This might include things like being RCVS registered or being a Cat Friendly Clinic.
Include professional team photos so visitors can see the friendly faces behind the clinic.

6. Use Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

And last but certainly not least, your website should guide visitors toward taking action, whether that’s booking an appointment with an online widget (e.g. Vetstoria) or calling your clinic the call to action should be super clear for every visitor!

Use clear, action-oriented text like:
✅ “Book an Appointment Now”
✅ “Register Your Pet Today”
Ensure CTAs are visible above the fold (before scrolling) and repeated throughout the site with key ones being in your header.

Let’s Make Your Veterinary Website Work for You?

If your website isn’t converting visitors into clients, we can help. Get in touch at matt@heedly.co or 07876 022 498 for expert veterinary marketing support.

Have a marketing question? We’ve got answers!

Send it to matt@heedly.co, and we might answer it in a future blog post!

How to Build a High-Converting Veterinary Website