Did you know that the vast majority of website traffic now comes from mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets?

That's why it's more important than ever to build a responsive dentist website — one that looks and works great on any device. That starts with having a responsive website, which will automatically reconfigure itself for the device being used.

If your website isn't already responsive, now is the time to make the switch. A mobile-friendly website will improve the user experience for your visitors and help you rank higher in search results.

When developing your dentist website — or making updates to it later on — always test it out on your smartphone before you give it the stamp of approval.

Your website's user experience (UX) is how easy it is for visitors to use your site and find the information they're looking for. A great UX will make it easy for visitors to book an appointment, learn about your dental services, get to know your team and more.

There are a few key things you can do to improve your website's UX, starting with having a clear and easy-to-navigate structure. That means using simple drop-down menus, obvious calls to action and well-organized content throughout your site.

It's also important to make sure your website is fast. No one likes a slow website, so be sure to optimize your images and code to help your site load quickly.

It's important to use high-quality visuals throughout your dentist website — from your banner images and photos to your videos and infographics.

Poor quality visuals will reflect poorly on your brand and could turn potential patients away. Make sure all of the visuals on your website are clear, professional and relevant to your target audience.

In addition to using great visuals, be sure to use them wisely. That means not overcrowding your pages with too many images or videos. A good rule of thumb is to use visuals to supplement your content, not replace it.

When in doubt, less is often more when it comes to website design. The strategic use of white space (or empty space) can help to highlight calls to action (CTAs) and other key elements you want to draw your visitors' eyes to.

The content on your dentist website should be well-written, engaging and relevant to your target audience.

Your content should be clear and easy to read, with short paragraphs and headlines that break up the text. It's also important to use keyword-rich phrases throughout your content to help improve your website's dentist search engine optimization (SEO).

In addition to writing great content, be sure to showcase it in an attractive way. That means using visuals like images and videos, as well as helpful formatting like lists and headings.

The goal is to make your content easy to consume so that visitors will stick around long enough to get to know your practice — and eventually book an appointment.

With the prevalence of dental phobias and fear, trust is incredibly important for modern dental practices. And luckily, there are lots of ways to build trust with your visitors and leads right on your dentist website.

The first step is to use testimonials and reviews from your existing patients. Showcasing positive reviews can help put potential patients at ease and make them more likely to book an appointment with your practice.

Another great way to build trust is by using social proof — or the idea that people are more likely to do something if they see that others are doing it too.

One way to do this is by displaying the number of patients you've treated, as well as how long you've been in business. You can also showcase any awards or recognitions your practice has received over the years.

Finally, another great way to build trust on your dentist website is by using security seals. These are little images that help to show potential patients that your site is secure and their personal information will be safe.

Your dentist website's ultimate goal should be to generate new leads for your dental practice.

To do that, you need to design your website with conversions in mind. That means including prominently placed CTAs (calls to action) throughout your site and making it easy for visitors to contact you.

Make sure that your NAP (name, address and phone number) are easy to find on every page of your website in addition to having a dedicated Contact Us page. You should also include links to your social media accounts and an email newsletter sign-up form.

Additionally, using contact forms strategically throughout your website can help to generate leads. For example, you could include a contact form on your Appointment Request page or on your Payments page.

The key is to make it easy for visitors to take the next step — whether that's booking an appointment or signing up for your newsletter.

Your contact forms should be short and to the point. The quicker and easier you make it for people to fill out your contact form, the more likely they are to do so.