The importance of mobile optimization stems from the fact that the majority of all web searches are now conducted on smartphones and tablets rather than desktop computers. According to Google's data, more than 70% of search engine queries originate on mobile devices. For practices that depend on online visibility to attract new patients, that is a staggering percentage that simply cannot be ignored.
In addition, Google has stated that mobile-friendliness is a ranking factor in search results. Websites that are not mobile-optimized run the risk of lower search visibility and traffic. Considering that 96% of patients search online for a dentist, poor mobile search visibility equates to a major missed opportunity in reaching local patients. By optimizing websites and enhancing the user experience on mobile, dental practices can improve their local SEO and increase new patient leads.
From the patient perspective, attempting to navigate a non-responsive dental website on a phone leads to immense frustration. Small text, cluttered layouts, and lack of navigation buttons result in high bounce rates as patients quickly leave the site. An optimized mobile experience allows prospective patients to easily access information, book appointments, find directions, and call the office. As mobile usage continues rising, dental websites that do not provide an engaging, user-friendly experience on smartphones will steadily lose traffic and patients over time.