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What You Need to Know about Online Reviews for Your Practice


Posted on 3/8/2016 by Ian McNickle, WEO Partner/Owner
WEO Blog   Google Results image graphicImagine you've just arrived to a city you're not very familiar with and its dinner time. What do you do? Well, if you're like most people these days you'll pull out your smart phone and search online review sites such as Yelp for nearby restaurant reviews. In fact, over 90% of consumers now read online reviews to help them decide where to go and what to buy.1 While it is true the most commonly searched category for online reviews are restaurants most people don't realize the second most commonly searched category for online reviews are dentists / doctors. The days of ignoring your online reviews are over.

Why reviews matter?

There is a major trend towards patients researching their healthcare providers before visiting an office, even if they were referred by a friend or another healthcare provider. In fact, recent surveys have found that 80% of consumers trust online reviews just as much as personal recommendations from someone they know. For many people this is an amazing statement but the reality is our society is changing at a rapid pace and dental practices simply must focus on their online reviews and online reputation.

The "Big Four" review sites for dentistry.

In the dental industry the most important review sites are Google+, Yelp, Healthgrades, and Facebook.

Google represents about 65% of all online search traffic and features its own reviews from Google+ so those reviews will generally attract more readers than other review sites. Reviews on Google+ have the added benefit of helping your website SEO perform better in online searches related to dentistry.

Yelp has become one of the leading review sites in the country and regularly ranks highly in local search results when people search for dentists. In addition, the Bing search engine displays Yelp reviews as their primary reviews shown in search results.

Healthgrades is the largest healthcare directory and review site in North America, and has over 1,000,000 visitors per day. As with Google+ and Yelp, a solid Healthgrades profile helps both online reputation and website SEO.

Over the last few years Facebook reviews have become increasingly important since Facebook is the dominant social media site. Facebook has over 1.5 Billion regular users and most of them look at reviews on Facebook business pages when researching a business.

What can you do for your dental practice?

To get the maximum benefit from these review sites we recommend the following strategies:
1.  Completely fill out your review site profile pages with business information, photos, videos, office hours, specials, and any other relevant information about your practice.
2.  Link to your review sites from your website to encourage existing patients to write reviews, and potential new patients to read your reviews.
3.  Implement a proactive strategy to generate more patient reviews on these review sites. However, we highly recommend you contact your state dental association or Dental Board to make sure you understand the rules for soliciting reviews from patients in your state.


Footnotes:
1,2,3 Bright Local 2015 consumer survey

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Marketing Services for Dentists & Dental Specialists


As leaders in our industry, we here at WEO Media can help you and your team navigate the intricate complexities surrounding today's dental marketing.


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Dental Websites


Your dental website is the first impression your potential patients have of your practice, make sure that impression is the one you want to make.

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Dental SEO


When your business is at the top of Google’s search results, you should see a significant increase in website traffic.

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Dental PPC


Pay per click ads typically pop up at the top of search engine results pages and are an effective tool if you want to drive more traffic to your website.


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Patient Pipeline


Optimize marketing efforts, increase practice revenue, and get higher returns on your investments.

Online reviews with 5 star ratings

Reputation Management


Drive patient reviews to the most important online review sites for dentists: Google, Facebook, and Healthgrades.

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Social Media


We will work with you to implement strategies designed to grow your followers, and ultimately grow your practice.



Along with the basics, we also offer a wide-variety of additional marketing services. Some of these services include:
• 

Credit Card Processing:

We have partnered with an online credit card processing company to help your patients pay through your website. Our partnership also helps you save money with lower rates and transaction fees.
• 

Dental Practice Photography:

As we mentioned in a previous section, custom photography can help potential patients feel connected to your practice before their first appointment. If you need an experienced photographer to update your online photos, our team is here to help!
• 

Direct Mail Campaigns:

Believe it or not, direct mail campaigns are still a powerful promotional tool, especially for people that have just moved to your area. If you want to target this demographic, we can design a custom campaign tailored to your office and brand.
• 

Email Based Newsletter for Patients:

An electronic newsletter is one of the best ways to stay in touch with your current patients. We want to avoid the old adage, “out of sight, out of mind.” Staying visible with a newsletter can lead to more scheduled appointments and better patient loyalty.
• 

Email Hosting:

We offer email hosting to ensure your business email matches your website domain. A matching domain and email address is much more professional that using Yahoo, Gmail, or Hotmail.
• 

Facebook Ads:

Due to Facebook’s popularity, paid ads can be a fruitful way to generate new patients leads. Facebook ads are also unique in that they allow us to target your key demographic (with laser focus) based on age, gender, geographic location, relationship status, “likes,” education, job title, and other aspects.
• 

Logo, Design, and Branding Services:

Your logo and brand may be more important than you think. Talk with our design team to learn more about your possible options, whether you need a new logo or want to update an existing one.
• 

Online Bill Pay:

Much like our credit card processing, online bill pay makes it easier for your patients to pay for their treatments, especially if they need a payment program. We use the latest software and security measures to ensure a seamless billing process.
• 

Patient Forms (Fillable PDF):

A fillable PDF makes it easier for your patient to complete their paperwork before their first visit. This reduces your set-up time, allowing you to see more patients throughout the day.
• 

Patient Forms (Secure Online):

Secure online forms cut paperwork out altogether, meaning your staff will not have to waste time transferring the data to your computer system. It is also a more environmentally-friendly option, a nice selling point for patients that want to keep it green!
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We Provide Real Results

WEO Media helps dentists in Portland, OR acquire new patients, reactivate past patients, and better communicate with existing patients. Our approach is unique in the dental industry. We work with you to understand the specific needs, goals, and budget of your practice and create a proposal that is specific to your unique situation.


+400%

Increase in website traffic.

+500%

Increase in phone calls.

$125

Patient acquisition cost.

20-30

New patients per month from SEO & PPC.




Schedule a consultation that works for you


Are you ready to grow your practice? Talk to one of our Senior Marketing Consultants to see how your online presence stacks up. No strings attached. Just a free consultation from experts in the industry.

Let's Get Started



Why Choose WEO?


Not your Average Dental Marketing Agency


WEO Media specializes in dental marketing for dentists across the country, offering a comprehensive suite of services tailored specifically for you.


We have helped dental practices across the country enhance their online presence, attract new patients, and increase patient retention. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities within the dental industry. Our expertise in SEO, website design, and content marketing ensures that your practice is easily found online.

Ensure your practice remains competitive in an ever-evolving landscape, our commitment to innovation means your marketing efforts will always be cutting-edge.


At WEO we take the time to understand your practice's specific goals and tailor our marketing strategies to meet your needs. Whether you need a new website, social media management, reputation management, or pay-per-click advertising, WEO Media provides customized solutions that fit your needs and budget.
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