People have preferences that drive their choices — in everything from yoga mats to healthcare providers. If you’re not in tune with those preferences, you can lose prospective patients to your competitors.
Research shows that healthcare practices must meet these specific patient needs, if they want to be successful. The good news — a healthcare clinic can easily implement changes that remedy this situation, to greatly improve revenue flow.
#1: People can’t find your website
Most people rely on Google to make their healthcare decisions, and when they can’t find your website, they may not be aware of your clinic. They tend to focus on those listings that pop to the top of a search. And they typically search for “dentist near me” or “MRI near me” or “blood tests near me.” If your clinic doesn’t appear prominently in those local searches, you won’t connect with these new prospects.
Your internet presence must position your practice as a local leader, to connect with and secure new patients where they already are — online, searching for care or the answer to a care-related question.
Your clinic’s website requires an SEO strategy, with keywords that push your site to the top of search listings. Your website also must be designed for mobile devices, as the majority of people use their cell phones for most searches and interactions — like booking an appointment.
Your website must include the services you offer and conditions you treat, with educational information on each treatment page — also with keywords, to improve your search ranking. This will help local patients find answers to their health questions on your site, along with information to request an appointment.
Also, check your online profiles. You likely have a professional profile on Yelp, your Google business profile, and other sites. Make sure these profiles are up-to-date, or the search engines (and potential patients) can get confused. Keeping these profiles consistent will help improve your online reach.
#2: Your online reviews have been neglected
Patients take online reviews very seriously when selecting a healthcare provider. You’ve got to monitor all feedback and follow up with patients. You will learn what matters most to your patients, which can guide changes in your practice. You can also address negative feedback, which can actually help you connect strongly with them — creating a great relationship (and more booked appointments for their family).
Ask patients for feedback by sending them a survey after each visit. This is an easy, graceful way to get online reviews.
#3 - Engaging with your clinic is difficult
People want easy communications — online, email, or text — to schedule an appointment, fill out registration forms, ask a question, pay their bill, or access their health records. A clinic that uses all modes of communication is certain to win more patients. You are allowing patients to engage with you at their own convenience, on their time.
Patients also want text messages for upcoming appointment reminders. By integrating text into your patient communications, you meet patients’ needs — and you reduce no-shows which even increases your appointment volume.
When you offer patients the ability to book online, fill out forms before their clinic visit, and texting a confirmation or question, you and your staff stay focused on the patient’s experience in the clinic.
Need help integrating these changes into your marketing?Somnowell Marketing can help.
Our team has helped many healthcare clinics like yours with website development, online marketing, and patient communications.
Our expert writers, designers and social media specialists can create and implement a marketing campaign that drives content and sales. The team will work with you to develop the plan, then create every element (with your approval) so that it reflects your brand, your unique selling points, your goals — to drive traffic to your website, and your doorstep.
If your healthcare clinic could benefit from a well-developed website, patient communications and marketing plan, let’s talk.
