Websites for IVF Clinics

Abstract

The Internet is younger than IVF but not by much. The first IVF baby was born in 1978 and the first expansion of the ARPANET was in 1981 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Internet). Website development was initially slow but in recent years the rate of change has been accelerating. Where they will be even in a few years is unclear. Yet, as IVF becomes increasingly commercially orientated and new technologies are incorporated into service, the interaction between clinic activity and patient interaction via the Internet will become seamless. Undoubtedly, even by the time this article has been published, IVF clinics will be developing new ways to use the Internet.

There are several levels of Internet interaction currently being exploited by IVF Clinics. These include self-promotion, patient interaction, advertising, business and education. Patient Interaction is undoubtedly the most important. This review discusses ways in which the Clinic’s websites may develop and argues that those clinics that devote resources to their website will be rewarded. Clients are linked to a clinic’s website not only via their own promotional material but also through search engines like Google and consumer tools such as Facebook. Internet advertising is also a broad brush vehicle to link clients to a clinic and the interface for this interaction is their website.