Archive for March, 2011
Top Reasons for Using a Content Management System
Mar 30th
If you’ve thought about redesigning your existing practice website or launching a brand new website, consider the benefits of a content management system.
Many physicians, surgeons, dentists and other medical professionals spend thousands of dollars to hire a web developer and designer for their website. The web developer is usually the only person who is able to make changes to the site, add pages and edit the content, and may charge a premium hourly rate for these types of services.
If you use a content management system, you can save on these costs by managing basic tasks yourself. Some of the key reasons to use a content management system include:
1. No programming skills required. You don’t need extensive programming or website coding skills to modify and edit your website. Everything can be done through the user-friendly dashboard using a WYSIWYG editing tool.
2. Track how your website is performing. A content management system designed with a robust analytics reporting component will help you see how many people are visiting your site, which pages are the most popular, and how many clicks you are receiving on various parts of the site.
3. Make changes as you go. Having access to the content and display features of your site makes it very simple to make changes on an as-needed basis. Instead of waiting weeks to make a big list of things you want to modify and then sending it along to the web developer, you can go right in and make the changes you want as you need them.
WebSiteDock is a comprehensive, easy-to-use content management system designed specifically for doctors, dentists and other medical professionals. Instead of waiting for a web developer to modify content, update your “About Us” page or make minor changes and edits to your site, you can have one of your administrative staff members manage everything within a few clicks.
WebSiteDock is designed to be very user-friendly so that anyone without programming and design skills can modify their website. It even allows you to optimize your pages for search engines so that you achieve high rankings on search engine results pages.
Contact a PracticeDock specialist today to learn more about WebSiteDock and other effective patient marketing tools.
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4 Ways to Handle Leads from Your Doctor Directory Listing
Mar 24th
You’ve created an eye-catching doctor directory listing and have already received some inquiries about your practice and service. Now what do you do? If you don’t have a plan in place to manage your leads effectively, you could lose a potential patient to a competitor.
Knowing how to handle your leads is an important part of your online patient marketing strategy, so make sure your staff knows how to follow-up from each inquiry and bring that patient in to your practice!
Here are four important tips for handling leads from your doctor directory listing:
#1: Recognize the Type of Lead Received
Not all leads from your doctor directory listing will be prospective patients. Some may be vendors, others may be doctors looking for someone to refer their own patients too. Even when someone is not qualified for treatment, they may know someone who is. Make sure that you always deliver a high level of customer service and treat every lead with respect. Focus on building a positive relationship with each contact, instead of only trying to book an appointment or make a sale.
#2: Focus on Booking a Consultation with Prospective Patients
When a prospective patient contacts you via the email form in your doctor directory listing or through the dedicated phone number, encourage them to book a consultation rather than an appointment for the service. If you try to sell the service first, the patient may feel intimidated and pressured into booking the appointment. Offer a complimentary consultation so that you can learn more about what the patient is actually looking for, and then proceed to sell the service.
#3: Collect Contact Information at Every Opportunity
Even if a lead is just in the “shopping around” stage, they may be likely to book a consultation or service in the very near future. Make sure you collect their name, address, phone number and email address whenever possible, and ask them if you can add them to your newsletter subscriber list or other contact database. Maintaining contact with your prospects can help to put you and your practice at “top of mind” when they are ready to book an appointment.
#4: Continue to Follow Up
Maintain contact with the lead with a follow-up call, an email message or by sending an invitation to an open house or seminar during your slow seasons. Following up weeks and months after your initial contact can help to keep your patient interested when he or she starts shopping around for services again. A handwritten note or a phone call from the doctor or medical professional can add a personal touch, and may encourage the patient to book an appointment.
Contact a PracticeDock specialist to learn more about the power of directory listings on LocateADoc.com.
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Tips for Getting the Most out of Your Doctor Directory Listing
Mar 17th
Specialized doctor directories attract patients who are specifically looking for doctors in their area, and many patients are ready to book a consultation or service that same day.
Make sure that your doctor directory listing conveys enough information to these patients or you could end up losing them to a nearby competitor. Your doctor directory listing needs to include some basic information about your practice, services offered and also needs to resonate with the patient.
The words you use, the tone of the content, and the overall look of your listing make a difference in how patients respond. Remember that most patients will “scan” the copy presented on your listing and are looking for specific information. Deliver what they want, and you put yourself in a position to hear from them through a phone call or a contact form.
Here are some other tips for getting the most out of your doctor directory listing:
1. Update with photos regularly. Many patients are attracted to before and after photos, and want to work with doctors who have a solid track record of delivering great results. Include before and after photos, and photos of your practice within your listing to attract more patients. Use your best before and after photos, because these represent your work. Many directories have an option to select which before and after photo will be presented on your main page. Select the best set for your pages!
2. Avoid using “We” copy. Write copy that is centered around the patient, rather than talking about “our practice”. Talk about how you can help the patient and what types of benefits the patient will enjoy by working with you. Focusing on the patient makes it easier to drive more qualified leads to your practice. Focus on the patient’s primary needs and provide the information they are looking for.
3. Link to social networking sites. Many directories, such as LocateADoc.com, allow clients to directly link to Facebook and Twitter. When you update your directory listing with before and after photos or additional information, you have the option of pushing this content out to your social media pages. This can generate some buzz about your practice and drive patients back to your listing or website.
4. Use keywords in your writing and make sure content is unique. Search engine-optimized content will make it easier for patients to find you when they search for you on the major search engines. If your patients usually use keywords such as your name, location and specialties, make sure you write content that contains these keywords.
It’s also important to update your listing regularly and provide fresh, unique content. Make sure that the before and after photos of patient descriptions, and your profile bio on each page or profile site are completely different.
5. Make a good impression! Post professional photos of yourself, your staff and your practice so that you can make a good impression. Remember that first impressions are very important, even online. A professional and pleasant doctor and practice photo can help to attract more patients.
Contact a PracticeDock specialist to learn more about the power of directory listings on LocateADoc.com.
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How Medical Practice Video Marketing Can Attract More Patients
Mar 8th
Many medical practices struggle with attracting new patients. Few know how to present their services in a fresh, unique and innovative way.
Medical practice video marketing can help you stand apart from other doctors and medical professionals in your area.
Video marketing is an effective, interactive and highly-engaging way to attract new patients. According to a study by NovaGreenMedia, video added to small business profiles increases the number of business profile views more than 100%, the number of profile clicks by more than 30%, and the number of calls generated by more than 18%.
If you don’t have time to meet with hundreds of prospective patients who are only inquiring about your practice and services, consider presenting your practice with a video marketing campaign online.
A short, simple, professionally-edited video can convey your core message to hundreds, even thousands of prospective patients. Your video can also be found easily on the major search engines. Videos allow you to connect with patients before you even meet them.
Some of the key benefits of video marketing for your medical practice include:
- Easy way to convey your core message to prospective patients
- Inexpensive marketing solution that can fit your budget
- Distribution to YouTube for a wider reach and more exposure
- Search engine optimization benefits
- Drives more high-quality leads to your medical practice’s Folio page
- Efficient and targeted way to present your practice to prospective patients
A 30-second video is enough to explain your mission, services and even introduce yourself and staff members to the patient. Video marketing adds that “personal touch” to your marketing efforts, and will give you that all-important “face time” you need with the patient before they even book a consultation!
Contact the PracticeDock marketing professionals to learn more about medical practice video marketing.
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How to Increase Patient Conversion Rates with PPC Online Advertising
Mar 3rd
Hundreds, even thousands of prospective patients are using search engines to find information about procedures, services and even your office online. If you’re not showing up on the first page of Google, Yahoo!, Bing and other major search engine’s search results pages, these prospective patients may not even know you exist.
Pay-per-click advertising (PPC) can be an effective way to position yourself in front of these patients who are looking for exactly what you have to offer. This innovative online marketing tool will maximize your exposure on the major search engines and increases your chance of getting noticed by patients ready to book a consultation.
Some important points that can increase patient conversion rates with PPC online advertising:
Use Words that Solve a Patient’s Problem
People who are looking for solutions to a problem are more likely to go online to find their answer. Solve a problem right within the text of your PPC ad. For example, if you are a cosmetic dentist and are famous for your smile makeovers, write ad copy that states “Increase self-confidence with our smile makeover!”. If you are a plastic surgeon and are famous for your liposuction procedures, write ad copy that states, “Say goodbye to unwanted fat forever with our liposuction procedure.”
Focus on the solutions when writing ad copy so that your prospective patient knows exactly how you can solve their problem.
Link to the Right Landing Page
You are permitted to link to a single link within your PPC ad. Make sure you direct visitors to the right page of your site when creating your ad and you will be well-positioned for a high conversion rate. Remember your patient “converts” when they click through the ad and submit their contact information. Make it as easy as possible for this patient to get to the contact page form or set up the appointment.
Establish Trust
Position yourself as an authority of your trade and specialty by making sure your website has a professional appearance, and that you are providing quality information about each service. Prospective patients are looking for a doctor or specialist they can trust. Prove that you are trustworthy and credible by posting patient testimonials, explaining your background and experience, and by promoting your services on a website that has a personalized touch.
Want to Start a PPC campaign to market your practice? Experts at PracticeDock can help you get started. Contact us today for your consultation!
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