The importance of a strong online presence
By all accounts, you’re a dentist, not a marketer. But, in reality, investing time and resources into marketing your practice can pay off in a big way. One of the most important ways of marketing your dental surgery is to have a strong online presence using dental SEO.
In today’s digital age, more and more people are turning to the internet to find information about local businesses, including dental practices. In fact, a study found that 97% of consumers find local businesses online. That means that if your practice doesn’t have a strong online presence, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to reach new patients.
So, what exactly does a strong online presence mean? It means having a professional, user-friendly website that prominently displays important information about your practice, such as your location, hours of operation, and contact information. It also means having active social media accounts and online feedback that showcase the positive experiences of your current patients.
Having a strong online presence also means being easy to find when potential patients are searching for a dental practice online. This is where search-engine-optimisation (SEO) comes in. By optimising your website and online content for search engines, you can see an increase in the likelihood that your practice will appear at the top of search results when potential patients are searching for a dentist in your area.
The power of patient referrals
Another important aspect of marketing your dental surgery is utilising the power of patient referrals. According to a study by the American Dental Association, patient referrals are the number one way that new patients find a dental practice.
One of the best ways to encourage patient referrals is by providing excellent patient care. If your patients are happy with the care they receive at your practice, they will be more likely to recommend your services to their friends and family.
But you can also actively encourage patient referrals by offering a referral programme. For example, you could offer a discount on a patient’s next visit for each new patient they refer to your practice.
Another way to encourage patient referrals is by making it easy for patients to refer their friends and family to your practice. This could include providing referral cards or forms that patients can fill out and give to their friends and family, or even setting up an online referral system on your website.
Why traditional advertising still matters
While having a strong online presence and patient referrals are important aspects of marketing your dental surgery, it’s also important to remember that traditional advertising still matters.
One of the benefits of traditional advertising is that it allows you to reach a wider audience than just those who are actively searching for a dental practice online. For example, a banner outside of the practice welcoming potential patients who may not have been actively searching for a dentist, but are now aware of your practice and may consider it when they need dental care, or are on the lookout for a new dental team.
