A website’s design matters to patients, but search engines don’t “see” beauty the way humans do. Google’s ranking system is driven by technical factors that determine whether it can find, read, and evaluate your site’s content properly. A visually sleek homepage won’t rank highly if Google’s bots can’t crawl it, if key SEO elements are missing, or if your content doesn’t match what users are searching for. Many dental websites invest in appearance but overlook the infrastructure that makes a site discoverable and indexable by search engines.

Your website is often the first interaction a potential patient has with your practice. If it looks old — especially compared with competitors — it may give the impression that your practice is behind the times. Outdated fonts, low-quality imagery, and cluttered layouts signal a lack of attention to detail and professionalism. Many patients judge credibility within seconds of landing on a site, and a dated design fails that test before any content is read.

Refreshing the design to a cleaner, modern aesthetic builds confidence instantly. Updated visuals and a clear, uncluttered layout tell visitors your practice values quality and patient experience — two things patients care deeply about when choosing a dentist.

A key principle in getting more dental reviews is timing. Patients are far more likely to leave feedback when their experience is still fresh in mind and they are feeling positive about the care they received. Studies and marketing strategies recommend sending requests shortly after appointments, ideally within 24 hours, while the good feelings are strongest and the experience is clear in memory. Tools that automate text and email follow-ups with direct review links make it simple for patients to respond without any extra effort on your part, and that convenience results in higher participation rates.

It’s also important that the review process itself is effortless. Patients should be able to tap a link or scan a QR code and land directly on your Google review page. Removing barriers like multiple clicks or unclear instructions increases the chance that someone will complete a review.