Developing a web app for the healthcare industry requires specialised knowledge and expertise, as well as an understanding of specific regulations. This guide provides you with all the information necessary to hire the right medical website developers, including costs, best practices and tips on how to develop your own healthcare website. We also provide answers to frequently asked questions about healthcare web development so that you can make informed decisions when creating your digital platform.
What is healthcare website development and why would you need it?
Healthcare web development is the process of creating digital solutions for healthcare organisations and providers. This can include anything from designing a website with information about your services, to building patient databases and online booking platforms.
What types of systems can web app developers build?
Web app developers can build a wide range of systems, including websites, databases, patient portals and booking systems. They may also be able to create custom software solutions that provide the exact features and functionality you need for your organisation’s specific requirements.
Cutting edge payroll software
- Powerful and easy to use
- HMRC & RTI compliant
- Used by payroll pros
The CRM platform to grow your business
- Great for entrepreneurs
- Powerful data analytics
- Manage sales and data
Powerful web builder and advanced business tools
- Great for startups
- Powerful web page builder
- E-commerce available
Supercharged content planning
- Great for marketing
- Better than lists or sheets
- Manage social media
Create a new website in 10 minutes. Easy.
- Launch your website fast
- Powerful data intuitive
- No coding skills needed
What types of organisation might require healthcare web development services?
Healthcare web development services are useful for a variety of healthcare organisations and providers, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, research laboratories and even medical device manufacturers.
These digital solutions can help streamline processes, provide vital information to patients and allow healthcare professionals to access important data quickly.
Why is it important to have expert healthcare web developers on your side?
It is important to have experienced healthcare web developers on your team as they will be able to create digital solutions tailored for the unique needs of your organisation. They understand the specific requirements of healthcare organisations and can design, build and maintain websites, databases and other online systems that are secure, efficient and user-friendly.
Important differences when developing healthcare web apps
It’s important to understand the differences between developing a medical website and a normal website, as there are many specific requirements that need to be met.
HIPAA & GDPR compliance
Medical websites need to comply with data protection legislation. HIPAA and GDPR compliance should be taken into account when it comes to patient data, as failure to comply with the relevant regulations can lead to hefty fines and penalties.
- HIPAA is a set of federal regulations that govern the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI).
- GDPR is a European regulation that governs how personal data is handled.
Data security
Medical websites also need to be incredibly secure – all data needs to be stored in an encrypted format, users need to have unique login credentials, and access control measures should be implemented to protect patient data.
Accessibility
Medical websites should also be accessible for all users, including those with disabilities. This means that extra attention needs to be given to features such as color contrast and font size, screen reader compatibility and image alt tags.
Compatibility and integration with existing patient and hospital IT systems
Another important difference between a medical website and other websites is the need for compatibility with existing IT systems. Medical providers often have existing patient databases, hospital management systems, patient booking systems and document management software that need to integrate seamlessly with the new website.
Types of hiring option – freelancer, in-house or specialist development agency
When it comes to hiring someone to develop a healthcare website, there are three main options available:
| Type of developer | What is it? |
|---|---|
| 1. Freelancer | If you’re looking for an individual developer with specific skills and experience in medical web development, you can hire a freelancer. |
| 2. In-house team | If you already have an in-house development team and want to add expertise in this field, you could hire someone with the necessary skills and experience. |
| 3. Specialist development agency | Alternatively, you could outsource the entire project to a specialist healthcare web development agency. This is often the most cost-effective option, as these agencies have experience in building medical websites and will be able to provide best practices and advice on how to develop a successful website. |
Hiring a freelancer for medical web app development
When hiring a freelancer, there are some key things to consider. Firstly, make sure that they have experience in developing medical websites or applications. You should also ask for examples of previous work and testimonials from past clients. It’s also important to agree on a timeline for the project and ensure that the freelancer understands all of your requirements.
Recruiting an in-house team of healthcare web developers
When recruiting an in-house team, start by writing a clear job description which outlines the skills and experience you’re looking for. You should also make sure to set realistic expectations for the role, such as the timeframe for development and budget available.
Using a specialist healthcare web development agency
A specialist healthcare web development agency can provide expert advice, and may be able to offer additional services such as data security, user experience (UX) design and ongoing maintenance. It’s important to ensure that the agency you choose has experience in developing medical websites, and that they are familiar with relevant regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR.
How much does it cost to develop a medical website?
The cost of developing a medical website can vary greatly depending on the complexity and scope of your project.
Typical hourly rates
For smaller projects, such as a static informational website, you may be able to find a freelancer for around $10-$20/hour.
For larger projects such as an EHR or patient portal system, the cost can be much higher – specialist agencies may charge anywhere from $50-$150/hour.
Typical project costs
For a simple website, the total project cost could be anywhere from $1,000-$5,000.
For larger projects, such acreating patient databases or appointment booking systems, the cost could be anywhere from $50,000-$200,000.
Where to find medical and healthcare web developers
The best place to find qualified medical web developers is online. There are a number of websites, such as Upwork or Toptal, where you can search for freelancers with the necessary skills and experience.
You may also be able to find in-house developers through job boards such as Indeed or Monster.
For specialist agencies, you could search online for companies that specialise in healthcare web development. Alternatively, you could contact industry organisations such as HIMSS to see if they have any recommendations.
How to develop a healthcare website – 10-step process
How to hire healthcare web developers
- Define what you intend to develop and how you’ll measure its success
This will help you focus on the true objectives of your web app
- Research and gather data
Use existing resources such as industry reports and patient surveys to inform your development process
- Create a brief for your developer
Create a detailed design brief outlining the project scope, timelines, budget, technical requirements etc
- Develop a prototype or wireframe
This will allow you to visualise how the website or application should look and function
- Secure the necessary funding
If your project requires it, you should ensure that all relevant stakeholders are aware of the costs involved
- Hire a developer or development agency
Once you’ve identified the right person/s for the job, discuss specific requirements and agree on a timeline
- Secure relevant data compliance
Depending on the type of project you’re developing, you may need to comply with regulations such as HIPAA or GDPR
- Test the website or app
Create a testing environment to make sure all features are working correctly before going live
- Launch and monitor
Launch the website/app and monitor its performance, ensuring all features are working correctly
- Review and refine
Use feedback from users to make improvements and ensure that your web app is keeping up with technological advancements
Tips for success
- Prioritise user experience – make sure your website or app is easy to use, and that users can find the information they need quickly.
- Ensure data security – ensure all data transferred within the web application is secure and encrypted, in accordance with relevant regulations.
- Prioritise accessibility – make sure everyone can access the website/app regardless of their physical or technological limitations.
- Utilise automation – automate simple tasks such as scheduling appointments, sending appointment reminders etc.
- Leverage analytics – use data collected from user interactions to improve the usability and performance of your web application.
- Focus on scalability – ensure that the website can handle an increase in traffic or transactions without crashing.
- Keep it up-to-date – make sure the web application is kept up to date with the latest security updates and functionality enhancements.
- Consider branding – ensure that the website is consistent with your brand’s look, feel and message.
- Use quality hosting – use a reliable web hosting provider to ensure the website/app runs smoothly at peak times.
- Establish best practices – create standard operating procedures for developing, testing and monitoring the web application.
FAQ
You can find freelance, in-house and specialist medical website developers online. Alternatively, contact industry organisations such as HIMSS to see if they have any recommendations.
Make sure all data transferred within the web application is secure and encrypted, in accordance with relevant regulations such as HIPAA or GDPR. It is also important to use quality hosting and keep the website/app up-to-date with the latest security updates.
Create a testing environment and run tests to make sure all features are working correctly before going live. Ask relevant stakeholders for feedback and consider conducting user testing with real users, to ensure that the web application meets their needs.
Prioritise user experience, ensure data security, focus on scalability and utilise automation. Additionally, consider branding, use quality hosting services and establish best practices. Finally, review and refine the website/app regularly in response to user feedback and technological advancements.
Costs for developing healthcare websites vary depending on the complexity of the project. Generally, you should budget for development costs such as design, coding and testing, as well as ongoing hosting and maintenance fees. Contact various developers to get quotes for your project.
You can find medical web developers online on platforms such as Upwork, Freelancer and Guru. Alternatively, contact industry organisations such as HIMSS for recommendations on specialist healthcare web development agencies. When hiring a developer, make sure to check their portfolio, qualifications and experience to ensure they are qualified for the job.