In a digital world, maintaining an active online presence is critical for the success of any business, and dental practices are no exception. The majority of people turn to search engines and review websites before deciding what to buy or where to go. As a result, the online reputation of your dental reputation can significantly impact how many new patients you get. Here are some of our best tips to improve your practice’s reputation.
Claim Online Business Listings
Did you know that you can exert some control over online listings for your dental practice? Claim and verify your online listings on sites like Google My Business and Yelp. Make sure that all the information, including your address, contact details, and business hours, is accurate and up-to-date. Some bad reviews come from miscommunications, like a wrong telephone number or inaccurate hours. Additionally, complete profiles are more likely to attract potential patients and add to a positive online reputation.
Encourage Patients to Leave Good Reviews
Happy patients are always going to be your best advocates. Encourage current patients to leave positive reviews on review sites and share their experiences on social media. One of the easiest ways to do this is by sending follow-up emails or text messages after appointments asking patients to leave a positive review with a link to your preferred site, like Google. Positive reviews will boost your online reputation and help attract new patients to your dental practice.
Don’t Wait to Respond
Your dental practice should regularly monitor and respond to both positive and negative reviews. Timely responses show that you truly care about patient feedback, even if a patient had a bad experience. When responding to bad reviews, be empathetic and focus on finding a solution. In many cases, offering a compromise or making things right will lead to the patient removing the review or changing their rating to something higher.
Use Social Media and Websites to Your Advantage
Social media platforms and your website are powerful tools for growing and maintaining your dental practice’s online reputation. Make sure that you have active profiles on platforms like Facebook and Instagram and check them regularly. Social media profiles and websites are also a great way to build trust and make your practice look legitimate. Would you trust a plumber with a website that only had a phone number and poorly formatted text, or would you prefer a plumber with a website that has a photo of the staff, a phone number, hours, and clear and relevant copy?
Improve Your Dental Practice with APEX Reimbursement Specialists
Whether you’re looking for a way to make the insurance verification process easier or hoping to improve your overall patient communication plan, APEX Reimbursement Specialists is here to help. Contact our team today by calling (410) 710-6005. We look forward to working with you to make your practice a more profitable place.