Numerous medical practices hire business consultants for practice management, billing and now for technology management/health records. However, they often depend on internal staff or an office manager to take care of all the marketing efforts. Usually marketing efforts get relegated to the bottom of an ever-growing “to do” list. That’s where a seasoned healthcare marketing agency can help.
Marketing agencies that concentrate in medical practices know your needs and the lingo. These companies can increase patient volumes through direct mail, e-mail campaigns, marketing automation, advertising, PR and internet marketing. One marketing tactic which practices often neglect is internet marketing. Many practices neglect to even possess a basic website! In today’s world with the baby boomers’ ready access to computers, it’s essential to have a website that at a minimum provides an overview of your practice, provider biographies, directions to your office and contact information. The next step is to optimize your website using key phrases prospective or current patients would enter into a search engine, such as Google, to locate your practice. A qualified search marketing company can perform a keyword analysis proving how much volume and competition exists for each keyphrase. The SEO firm will then incorporate the top phrases into your site in a way that will lay the foundation for improved search results rankings. As a follow-on step, the agency should also be able to assist you with sponsored search and online banner ad campaigns in order to drive even more volume to your website. And be sure not to forget listings on the online local marketing channels – Bing’s local listing directory and Google Places.
How Internet Marketing Can Grow Your Medical Practice
