Internet Marketing Outlook for Doctors in 2014
Last year was a big year for online marketing. More and more doctors began to realize the importance of being seen online, and how crucial it is to make it easy for patients to find them through search engines and social media.
We saw many changes to Google?s search algorithms including the Panda and Hummingbird updates in 2013 that placed a huge amount of importance on quality and relevancy. Google is making it clear that high quality, search engine friendly web content and natural link building will be the key to SEO in 2014 for doctors.
So what does that mean for you and your practice? What do doctors need to do to rank higher in search engines and gain more patients online in 2014?
Increase visibility
One of the top priorities in 2014 will be getting seen in more places. This means getting listed in directories, getting relevant links from other sites, using press releases, and increasing the amount of space your practice occupies online.
Kick Your Social Media Into High Gear
Social media plays a huge role in not only SEO, but public relations and customer relationship management as well. Building a following and presence on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and even a company blog makes it easier to stay in touch with your current patients, and also get found by new ones as well.
If you don?t have optimized accounts on all of the top social media sites right now, make that a key focus in 2014.
Mix Paid Advertising Into The Equation
Getting found organically through search engines is a necessity, and the ideal long term strategy for doctors. However, to give your online marketing efforts a boost in 2014, integrate paid advertising through Google AdWords or Facebook Ads into your marketing efforts. Not only will it make it easier for you to be seen, but the ROI can be great.
Push For Patient Reviews
There are several factors that play a role in increasing your local search rankings. The content on your website, the links pointing to your site, and having a well optimized Google+ Business Page can all boost your local search engine rankings. In addition to all of that, Google is placing a large amount of importance on customer reviews.
Getting more of your patients to submit reviews online through Google+ can have a big impact on where you sit in the search engine rankings. Online reviews are like votes of confidence for your office, and show search engines that you are the top pediatrician, chiropractor, or family doctor in your area.
Start encouraging your patients to leave a few kind words about your office online and you?ll see more referrals from the internet in 2014.
Online marketing has never been more important for doctors. We are working hard to ensure that your practice brings in more new patients this year through referrals and online marketing than ever before.