Marketing Tips for Your Dental Business: A Beginner’s Guide
While there are a number of things that need to be considered when marketing any health business, including compliance with various guidelines and standards, the first thing you should do is ensure you have an effective and functional website.
From that point, a sound marketing strategy is needed.
Why?
Because nowadays, anyone looking for a new dentist will search online, first and foremost.
Let’s get started on 5 Essentials You Need To Market Your Dentistry Business
1. Ensure that your Google My Business Page is Up to Date
One of the most basic places to start is Google My Business (GMB). It’s an important step that shouldn’t be overlooked. Ensure that all the information on that page is correct, as many people use that to contact you (vs. always going to the website).
Fill out all the following information:
- Business’s categories (i.e. “dentist” or “dental clinic”, it helps searchers find specific needs)
- Phone number
- A business description
- Hours of operation
- Address
- Include a review section
When someone in your location is doing a search, this will help ensure that you show up, so don’t miss that opportunity.
2. Update your website
If your website looks like something you created a decade ago (or is), it’s time for a refresh. There are key things you need to ensure that your website is easy to navigate and easy for the online user. Many people want to book appointments online and/or get basic information at their fingertips.
Consider adding the following:
- Profiles with each doctor listed, and their accomplishments
- Online appointment scheduling
- Online options to pay
- Online prescription renewal
- A contact form, or messaging system so that potential patients can ask you anything
- Some information to show authority: videos, infographics, links to social media where you share updated dental health information, etc.
You also need to ensure that your website is running optimally (doesn’t take too much time to load, it’s easy to find things with a clean menu, and is mobile-friendly). To learn more about website design, visit our website post.
By showing an online presence, keeping it current, and having it showcase your authority, it will build your reputation online.
Which brings up a good point…reputation.
3. Online Reviews
You need reviews. Period.
Did you know that patients, in addition to searching online, look for the reputation of dentists or health vendors? One of the key ways to do this is by reading reviews.
Every time you have a pleased customer, don’t hesitate to ask for a review. You can do this by sending them a link to any of the following:
- Google reviews
- Facebook page
- Yelp
- Any dentistry site you are listed on
You can also ask them via email and compile testimonials which you should be adding to your website.
Learn more about the importance of online reputation management by visiting our previous blog.
4. Add a Blog
Do you have articles about dentistry topics? To market your dentistry business organically, you need to upload content consistently onto the website. A blog is a simple and easy way to do so.
You can publish 2 or more times a month, and ensure that the topics reflect what your potential customers would want to know. Include dental health, how to be proactive with dental issues, how to correct common dental conditions and more.
As you publish content (that is keyword-driven, of course), you can increase your chances of showing up in organic searches (which are free).
If you don’t’ have the time, which is very probable, consider hiring someone that can help you upkeep that part of your website.
5. Paid Ads
It goes without saying that dentistry is a competitive market. And to ensure you market your dentistry business effectively, you would be wise to include a paid ad budget.
Paid ads include advertising online, whether it is on social media via Facebook ads, or the big ads being Google ads. Pay per click ads can give you an opportunity to advertise for a certain amount of time and can showcase special promo prices that are attractive to a potential customer.
There is a certain formula for paid ads. Therefore, if you are not an expert, it’s highly recommended to speak with someone well versed in digital marketing to ensure you are getting the most “bang for your buck.”
For effective marketing of your dentistry business, it’s imperative to start at these 5 tips. However, you need a marketing plan for the long-term.
To get started, or to work with someone on creating a strategy, contact the health marketing experts at invigoMEDIA.
