Overview
La Jolla Colony Dentistry had a website that wasn't doing them any favors. No brand identity, outdated info, and missing basic features like appointment booking. Over 10 weeks, we rebuilt it—brand, research, booking system, the works.
Research
We knew the site was broken. Question was: what makes a dental website actually work? Analyzed top-performing sites locally and nationally to find patterns.
Redesign
Wireframed the common components, presented to the client. Business hours: yes. Service listings: yes. Pricing: no. Dental regulations don't allow procedure costs on websites. Learned that design rules change depending on the industry.
Features
Built two main features: an insurance checker and appointment booking. The booking system hit a snag. Research showed users wanted to see available time slots. The client wanted them to call. Solution: users request their preferred time, office confirms by reaching out. No compromised privacy, no rigid calendar.
User Testing
User testing with ages 22-60 revealed flaws in layout and functionality. Fixed them. More importantly, learned that dental sites need to feel caring, not sterile. People book appointments when they feel safe.
Iteration
Used the feedback to iterate. Adjusted typography for better legibility, simplified the scheduling system, cleaned up the overall flow.
Reflection
Three takeaways: Client management matters—how you communicate shapes the product. Team sync is everything—weekly check-ins kept us aligned. Every industry has rules you don't see coming—dental law, patient anxiety, privacy concerns all influenced design decisions.