In the 21st century, managing a reputation online is vital to the survival and growth of a medical practice. The Internet is usually the first place a new patient encounters a practice. How the practice is represented online will determine if a prospective patient will contact you.
Here are some tips on how to manage your online reputation:
1. Use social media
Prospective patients search the Internet for a practice that can provide information when they need it. Social media posts and blogs should revolve around the practice and area of expertise. Social media platforms that can be used include: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus.
2. Create online videos
An effective way to convince prospective patients to choose your practice is by creating online videos. These videos may include the doctor, staff and patients. Written reviews and testimonials are not as convincing as video testimonials. These videos can be accessed easily on smartphones and tablets for people on the go.
3. Update your website frequently
Your website is your practice’s voice online. Search engines are constantly changing their algorithms so it is vital to update your website frequently so that you appear on the top pages of a search. A great way to stay updated is to write blogs that are relevant to your field.
4. Asses your Internet presence as a patient would
Use keywords to search for your practice. Examples of question to ask when assessing your Internet presence include:
- How often do you appear on the first page?
- Are you using specific keywords that relate to the practice?
- Are there other practices that appear before yours?
- Is your website patient friendly?
5. Monitor online mentions
There are many ways to monitor how often your practice is mentioned online. Useful sites include Google Places, Citysearch, Vitals and HealthGrades. Look at the negative comments and find ways to address the problems. You can also create alerts through Google to monitor mentions.
An online reputation is very important. If this seems like a daunting task, contact Mindstream Creative today for help.