With the internet being an important part of our lives, it was not a surprise that pharmacies started to move to the online platform. Probably one of the most traditional and regulated domains the health industry whether we refer to the pharma sector or the medical one, underwent major changes, influenced by both the digital environment and the rise of the smartphone. In the center of these changes, we can find the digital platforms. The websites, whose importance and relevance are growing now more than ever before.
Around 32,500 online pharmacists around the world provide services within legal limits to protect public health around the world.
Ways in which a website can help pharmacies are listed below:

To differentiate from your competitors and tell your story

As a local pharmacy, having a website is an incredible way to reinforce a brand that no one else has – yours. You want to build your pharmacy as a business and for that to excel you need a strong brand – and we don’t just mean pretty colors and a logo.
A website tells customers who you are, what your story is, and why you are different. This is an opportunity to show what makes your pharmacy unique, and simultaneously provide helpful information to your customers.

To showcase your services

The Pharmacy can use its website to tell customers about the kind of services they will get, along with all of the diverse services they offer. Health checks, vaccines, dieticians, physio, naturopaths – all of them provide an opportunity to showcase your services other than just selling medicine. And your website is the place to do it.
Before customers make the trip to your pharmacy they want to ensure you offer the services they need. This information should be kept up to date and relevant based on customer needs, for example when flu shots become available during flu season. Presenting your services in an easily accessible manner will draw customers to your store. Especially when those services are unique, or are presented uniquely.

Offer convenience

Businesses that can conveniently offer their services will be successful in the future. The consumer of today is looking for convenience. People want to access information from the comfort of their home, 24/7. Someone looking for a travel vaccination service at 10 pm online wants to find a provider that provides all the information online and allows them to make a book online within minutes. People don’t want to be on the lines for ages and take time out of their busy life during the day. To understand this you need to think like a consumer. Also, the number of users accessing the internet through their mobile devices is increasing rapidly. Check if your pharmacy website is fully responsive? Does it work on different size devices? The majority of websites that are older than 5 years are not fully responsive. It is time to upgrade your website.

To showcase your brands and products

Categorized products, or even just hero products, clearly show what you can get and what you can expect to pay. It’s the perfect strategy for common best-sellers – and it minimizes the updates you or your staff need to make to your site because we know you’re already busy.
Customers and potential stockists want to know what brands and products you stock. Customers will use your website to check what items you carry to ensure your pharmacy can fulfill their needs. They also want this information so they can compare your products and their prices to each other and those of your competitors before they decide to come in store.
Potential stockists can also find you and see what you currently have on offer before making contact. This will help them to determine whether their products will be a welcomed addition to your offerings, and minimize irrelevant stockist requests.

To promote and attract staff

Customers know who they can expect to see when they walk into the pharmacy and gain peace of mind knowing that their pharmacists are qualified.
Staff encapsulates your brand and each person brings something unique to your store and team. Promoting your staff on your website puts a name and a face to your store. This makes your pharmacy more personable and credible while promoting a relationship between your team and your customers.
A strong website will also have you attract staff. When applying for jobs employees want to feel out the company that may be their future employer. This will show them your brand, what kinds of services they may be requested to perform, and who their fellow employees will be.

To answer your customers’ questions

The website can be used to answer pharmacy questions their customers might have. The big win here is Google will favor your content when someone in your area searches for a health term. And because you know your area well, you know the exact questions your community has – and you can answer them. You only have to do it once and that content will last you for years, drawing customers to your brand.
With searches surrounding ‘pharmacy’ growing every year, it is key that your pharmacy can answer these questions. Potential customers rely on their phones for quick information, and your website is where they will look for answers. You want your website to be a one-stop shop for all your pharmacy information.

Final takeaway

Future business growth will come from your digital presence. How visible is your pharmacy business online? When someone is searching for a flu jab service on Google, is your pharmacy appear on the first page of Google in local searches. All the pharmacies that do not appear in local Google searches are invisible to their potential customers. This is true for all the different services that you provide at your pharmacy. The foundation of your online presence is your pharmacy website.