In the past, word-of-mouth referrals and repeat patients were the most reliable ways to grow and sustain any medical business. But in the age of the internet, online strategies are now the number one way to market health care services.
With more people turning to “Dr. Google” for medical advice, search engine optimization – or SEO – can help private medical practices reach a wider audience, find new patients, and build a trusted digital presence that lasts.
SEO relates to how well your website ranks on internet searches. You have likely used Google or another search engine to find a service or product yourself. Those companies also use SEO to show up in early rankings.
For example, as a medical practice, SEO can rank your practice higher in search results when someone types “medical practice near me” into an internet search. This is because anyone looking for that term is likely to consider booking an appointment with a medical practice, and proper optimization puts your contact information right in front of them.
Additionally, search engines will show your practice’s reviews to users, which can help you build a positive reputation in your community. According to a 2020 survey, a whopping 79% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations from friends and family. So, as you start to collect good reviews, potential patients will see them and trust your practice more – without ever stepping foot in your facility.
Traffic is a good thing for your website
Medical practice websites that appear at the top of internet searches are more likely to get clicks and book patients. What’s more, research has shown that 75% of internet users don’t even click past the first page when viewing their search results. That means getting your website to the top of the search results is one of the best things you can do for your private practice’s success.
Seventy-six percent of people who search for something nearby visit a business that appeared in their search within a day. For medical practices, a high ranking on a search engine can directly translate to same-day calls to book appointments. Seventy-two percent of internet users in the U.S. have used a search engine to learn more about a health question in the past year.
Overall, higher traffic on your page equals better results. You’ll receive more calls, contact form submissions, and appointments. Beyond that, people who discover your business through a search engine may even recommend your services to friends and family.
The bottom line
If you want to get started building your company’s online presence, Officite is an option that offers expert service packages to help you create a website that ranks on Google. In addition, you’ll receive an SEO-optimized medical website, HIPAA-compliant email and forms, and more.
Click here to learn more about our packages or book a consultation today.