Why every pharmacist needs his own website
We currently live in a digital era where people tend to do their research online. That also includes researching pharmacists – and that while there are still plenty of pharmacies who don’t have their own website. Online presence does come with a lot of benefits, definitely when you set up a webshop as well. In this article, we’ll shed light on this.
Improved convenience for your patients
As a pharmacist, you want to offer the best to your customers. By going online, you’ll make this a lot easier for yourself. Clients will be able to search for more information, wherever they are and whenever they want. Opening hours, holidays, when you’re on duty … Crucial information that you can publish on your website.
When you also set up a webshop, you improve your clients’ ease of use even more. People can now order basic items online and receive their purchase in the comfort of their own homes, or pick it up at a dedicated pick-up point. This still leaves people the option to enjoy human contact while you still shorten their waiting time in your pharmacy. When online and offline are truly connected, customers (and employees alike) can fully enjoy this flexibility and positive experiences with your pharmacy.
In a later phase of your online pharmacy, you can even create the option to create accounts for returning customers. You can offer your patients the possibility to order prescribed medication, sending you their prescription note online. A major convenience for people who already know their medication and aren’t in need of extra information. A pharmacy visit is merely a practical necessity – one you can now eliminate with this online service.
You go beyond local sales
An added advantage that comes with a webshop? More sales. You can easily reach people who don’t live nearby (when you offer home delivery). You no longer have to count on locals only. Your webshop will have a much broader reach. People can order from wherever they are, raising your sales and revenue. And you don’t even need to invest in a new physical pharmacy.
Pharmacists can furthermore offer more products online that instore. You don’t have to give up precious shelf space to test a new range of products: you just do it on your webshop. Online sales are easier to track, and this data offers you a clear image of which products do and do not work. These insights will help you to make decisions about your offering, brands and stock management. If your new items are a success, you can still add them to the shelves of your physical store.
Easier to promote your extra health services
There are many pharmacists out there that offer their patients specific health services. Helping people to quit smoking, glucose testing, small physical examinations … Pharmacists gladly offer personal guidance on lifestyle, medication and more. But here’s the catch. Patients and locals aren’t always aware of this, as this information often disappears between the chaos of print advertising. That’s why it’s almost a necessity to communicate these services online. It’s easier to find, and it’s more likely that customers will make use of what you offer.
When you have a website, you also instantly have more time. Certainly so when you manage your site from a platform that’s connected to your product database, such as Lochting. Since all important information is easy to find online, people will be less likely to call. Meaning that you spend less time on the phone, and more time to invest in your patients who count on you as their advisor. It of course also results in more room to invest in your healthy services.
Lochting allows you to rapidly build a new website
Two known barriers to invest in a website are the fact that building one is often a time consuming and expensive process. Luckily, Lochting eliminates these issues. With our ready-to-use templates, you can build your own webshop in an instant. Everything is customisable, so you can stay true to the look and feel of your pharmacy. Since you can link your product database to our platform, all information is automatically updated. You don’t have to do anything: Lochting does it for you. You gain time, and you can rest assured that every piece of info is correct. From pricing to availability.
Ready to invest in your own website? Don’t be shy: you can request your demo here. We’d love to help your pharmacy move on to a digital future.