The healthcare landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years. With patients turning to the internet to research medical providers and services, your practice’s online presence can be the deciding factor in whether they choose you or your competitor. Pivoting to healthcare marketing strategies that not only showcase your expertise but also resonate with your target audience is critical. In this article, we’ll review the top 10 healthcare marketing strategies that make the biggest impact on the medical practices we work with. Whether you want to attract new patients or ensure long-term success – this is the playbook.
Create a Google Business Profile
Creating a Google Business Profile is a simple yet effective way to improve your online visibility. This free tool allows you to showcase your medical practice on Google Search and Maps, making it easier for potential patients to find you. Be sure to include accurate and up-to-date information about your practice, such as your address, phone number, hours of operation, and a brief description of your services. Your GBP is more visible than your website on Google search results! Don’t neglect it.
Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Simply having a Google Business Profile isn’t enough – you need to optimize it. Add high-quality photos of your practice, respond to reviews (both positive and negative), and use relevant keywords to improve your search ranking. Encourage patients to leave reviews (via reputation management) and ensure you regularly update your profile with any changes to your practice. TIP: Search your name or practice name to make sure there aren’t duplicate listings for your practice. Having multiple listings can cause confusion and no-shows.
Reputation Management (Getting More Reviews)
Your online reputation is crucial for attracting new patients. Encourage existing patients to leave reviews on Google, Facebook, and other relevant review sites. Be proactive in addressing negative feedback and showcase positive reviews on your website and social media. Consider investing in a physician reputation management service to monitor and manage reviews effectively.
Easy-to-Use Website
Your website should be user-friendly, with clear navigation and a clean design. Ensure important information, such as your contact details, appointment booking options, and a list of services, is easily accessible. Your website should also load quickly to minimize bounce rates and improve the user experience.
Mobile-Friendly Website
Everyone is on their phone now. Your website needs to be ready. Make sure your website is responsive and displays correctly on various devices and screen sizes. This will ensure a seamless user experience and help you reach a larger audience.
Content Marketing (with SEO in mind)
A great website is essential, but without traffic, it’s like having a beautiful storefront with no customers. Invest in content marketing to drive traffic to your site. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content related to your medical services. This can include blog posts, articles, and videos that provide value to potential patients. This is our primary website SEO technique with medical practices – so make sure you’re doing keyword research and have a firm grasp of how to structure your content for the biggest benefit.
Targeted Facebook Ads
Utilize targeted Facebook ads to attract your ideal patients. Create custom audience segments based on demographics, interests, and behaviors to ensure your ads are reaching the right people. Monitor and analyze the performance of your ads and adjust your targeting and budget as needed to maximize results.
Social Media Management
Establish a strong social media presence on platforms where your patients are – such as Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Share engaging content, interact with your followers, and showcase your practice’s personality. This will help build trust and credibility with potential patients.
Local SEO
Improve your local search rankings by focusing on local SEO. Ensure your practice is listed on local directories and review sites, use location-based keywords on your website, and create locally-focused content. This will help you attract patients in your area who are searching for medical services.
Create Patient Education
Embrace the philosophy of “Don’t Advertise, Educate” by developing content marketing that focuses on patient education for specific disease states and symptoms relevant to your medical practice. Providing valuable information on conditions you treat and their related symptoms not only demonstrates your expertise but also empowers your patients to make informed decisions. This approach builds trust and fosters a strong patient-provider relationship, which ultimately encourages patient loyalty and drives new patient referrals.
Healthcare Marketing Strategies Recap
As you put these healthcare marketing strategies into action, keep in mind that the more you use, the better off your practice will be. By employing a variety of approaches, you’ll not only boost your online presence but also create meaningful connections with your patients and draw in new ones.
Need help with your healthcare marketing strategy? Contact us today. We work with hundreds of doctors.