Ranked first on Google. Over 600 online appointments a month.
Case study: a practice website for doctors, built for a vascular surgery and phlebology practice in Solingen-Merscheid. How GUV Solingen now wins patients who didn't know its name before.
My team and I rebuilt the GUV Solingen practice website: fast, GDPR-compliant and built for appointment booking. Patients from Solingen, Wuppertal and Remscheid now find an appointment faster, and the practice receives more enquiries.
What our client says
Working with HomeIT-System has been a stroke of luck for us. During the relaunch, the team immediately understood what our practice stands for and delivered a modern, patient-centred and professional result. Since then the site, copy and content have been updated regularly and optimised for Google which we see in a clear rise in enquiries.
What we value most: HomeIT not only manages the website, but also keeps our entire IT infrastructure running reliably from the digital phone system to server maintenance and routine updates. It’s the perfect all-in-one package that frees up our time and keeps the practice running smoothly.
Dr Heitham Abu Nasir, GUV Solingen
Patients search for a specialty, not a name
Anyone in Solingen looking for help with varicose veins or vascular problems rarely knows a doctor's name. They type their problem into Google and call the practice they find first. If your practice isn't at the top, that patient goes to the practice next door, and you never even notice.
The phone was the bottleneck
Every appointment request went through the phone. That ties up the team and costs time. On busy days calls go unanswered, exactly when a new patient has just made their decision.
How the practice relaunch in Solingen came about
Understand first, then design
Before we started, we took the time to get to know the practice and its patients. What do people across the Bergisches Land look for when they need help with varicose veins or other vascular issues? How do they choose a practice? The answers shaped every design decision.
Design the patient journey
We walked through a patient's path step by step: from the first visit to online booking in two clicks, through to the information on laser and minimally invasive procedures. The paths stay short, even on a phone somewhere in Solingen.
Straightforward paths for every intent
Some patients only want to check consultation hours, others want to book an appointment with Dr Abu Nasir directly, while others prefer to call. Each of these paths is reachable in a few clicks, without detours or searching.
A design that fits the practice
Together with the team we tried different visual directions. We landed on a calm, clear look that is modern, understated and focused on building trust, a tone that fits a vascular surgery practice.
From concept to finished website for the practice in Solingen-Merscheid
Structure first: wireframes
We started with the basic question: where should each piece of content live? Using wireframes, black-and-white sketches without colour or imagery, we tried out the site structure. This gave us a clear skeleton before we moved on to visuals.
Visual UI design
On top of the agreed structure we built a modern, clear visual language. We chose colours, typography and imagery to let the practice feel professional without feeling cold. That is the right balance for a field where trust matters most.
Modern architecture, clean implementation
The site runs on Next.js: fast, cleanly written and easy to extend in the long run. In practice that means short load times, even on the go in Solingen. It also means a foundation that grows with the practice.
Monitoring, analytics & operations
After launch we take over hosting, monitoring and maintenance. Performance, security and updates run through us. The practice can focus on its patients.
The relaunch became a sales channel
The practice website works for the practice. We measure reach via Google Search Console; the appointments run through the practice's booking system. Both figures come from separate sources.
What the website delivers today
- Ranked first on Google for vascular surgery, vein specialist and phlebologist in Solingen. Even patients without a specific doctor's name land at GUV first.
- Around 1,800 visitors a month from Google search, stable over months.
- Over 600 online appointments a month through the practice's own booking system, without a single phone call.
Impact and outcomes
The new site works for the practice: fast, clearly structured and with a digital identity that fits the practice and earns trust with patients from Solingen and the Bergisches Land region.
Results:
- The appointment page alone pulls over 550 clicks per quarter from Google search, ranking third.
- Patients book their own appointment online. The phone at reception stays free for the cases that really need a call.
- Noticeably more online bookings from Solingen and surrounding areas
- Better visibility for local searches around phlebology and vascular surgery
Ready to take the next step?
Do you want a practice website that brings you patients? My team and I will show you where your site is giving away appointments today and what's possible.
Frequently asked questions about practice websites from HomeIT-System
How long does a project take from briefing to launch?
Typically 5 to 6 weeks. That includes 1–2 kick-off calls, 2–3 design rounds and the final sign-off. For larger scopes (e.g. deeper PVS integration) it can take longer — we commit to a realistic date before you sign.
Who writes the copy and provides the images?
Copy is a joint effort: you provide the professional input (services, specialities, practice philosophy), we turn it into web-ready text. Practice photography is optional via our in-house photographer — alternatively we use existing photos or professional stock images.
How many review rounds should we expect?
1–2 kick-off calls to align on goals, 2–3 design rounds, then sign-off and launch. We deliberately keep the overhead low — your time belongs in the practice, not in long meetings.
Can you integrate with our PVS (practice management system)?
If your system offers an open interface (REST API, FHIR, etc.): yes. We are full-stack software engineers, not just web designers — integrations are our day job. We are a certified tomedo® partner; systems like MEDISTAR or t2med are also integrable as long as they expose open APIs.
Online appointment booking — what do you recommend?
cal.com as a self-hosted solution on your own server — GDPR-compliant, no third-party tracking, no monthly licence fees like Doctolib or samedi. You keep full control over patient data and appointments.
Online prescription ordering and other forms — how does this work without PVS access?
We build a GDPR-compliant form application that runs on your own server. Incoming submissions reach you encrypted — as an email to the practice, as an entry in a protected area, or directly in your PVS if an interface exists. Every type of form is possible: anamnesis, appointment request, prescription ordering with barcode scan, contact.
Domain, hosting and email — do you handle those too?
Yes. We migrate existing domains without any loss of service. Hosting runs on redundant German servers — GDPR-compliant with monitoring. Email mailboxes are set up with a German, GDPR-compliant provider on request.
Can we maintain the content ourselves?
Yes. Your site runs on a modern CMS (Strapi) that you edit via a secure login — text, images, new pages, opening hours. If you would rather not, we take care of it. Both paths work, also in parallel.
What is included in the monthly maintenance?
Server hosting on redundant German infrastructure, 24/7 uptime monitoring, software updates (security patches and framework updates), legally compliant imprint and privacy policy via rechte24, cookie consent management via rechte24, domain renewal and SSL certificates. You don't have to look after any of it.
How do we reach you?
Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., by phone and email. For practices with special requirements (extended service hours, weekend on-call) we agree individual service levels — just ask.
Is the site GDPR-compliant and accessible (BFSG)?
Yes, both. GDPR: German servers, no US tracking, no data sharing with third parties without consent. BFSG (German Accessibility Reinforcement Act, mandatory from June 2025): WCAG-compliant implementation, screen-reader ready, sufficient contrast, keyboard navigation. Cookies, imprint and privacy policy are managed via rechte24 and updated automatically when laws change.
What does a practice website cost with you?
We deliberately don't publish a flat rate, because every practice has different requirements. What we commit to: a transparent fixed-price offer after the kick-off call. For context: industry overviews typically quote 4,000 to 8,000 euro for practice websites with modern functionality, up to 20,000 euro for complex builds. A practice website is fully tax-deductible as a business expense.
Will Google find us? How long does it take?
Realistic expectation: noticeably more clicks after 2 to 5 months — Google needs time to index and evaluate new pages. We actively manage: Google Business Profile with address, opening hours and reviews; Schema.org markup for the Local Pack entry in the map box of local searches; competitor research on local search terms; technical SEO with fast load times, mobile-optimised and clean markup.
