As you scroll through the internet or browse social media, it seems like much of what you see is too good to be true. Credentials are bolstered, images have filters, and positive reviews seem, well, fake. When every chiropractor has the opportunity to build their own web presence, it can be difficult for patients to separate fiction and fact.
An important part of growing your practice and earning the trust of new patients is making sure your chiropractic practice stands out online. Here are our tips for building a believable web presence.
Focus on your actual office and staff.
Just as you look for authentic reviews and images when searching for a new product, potential patients do that when looking for a new chiropractor. You are given an opportunity to show these prospective patients a genuine look into your practice, so take full advantage.
Share pictures of your space including the exam rooms and waiting room as well as the exterior (people will be better able to identify your practice) to give patients an idea of where they will be treated. You can also include provider biographies and photos of your staff on your “About Us” page to give a brief introduction. The ability to put a face to a name will make your patients feel more comfortable while enhancing your credibility online.
Share your expertise through blog posts.
Your professional website is taken much more seriously when you show you have the knowledge to back up why you’re the chiropractor this patient should choose. Blogs show you are a thought leader in chiropractic and add depth to your site.
Try to choose topics that are important to your patients such as addressing medical concerns or providing tips for a healthier lifestyle. Take these topics, break them down, and make them accessible for people to easily understand. This will highlight your expertise while helping you rank higher in search results.
In order to keep things relevant, post a new blog on a consistent basis. You’ll soon have a collection of blog posts that provide a strong foundation for your online reputation.
Embrace the negative.
Online reviews can be awesome to read or they can bring you down. Most reasonable people know your online reputation won’t be perfect, but it’s important to use any negative reviews as a learning experience. People may become suspicious if you have only glowing reviews, so keep the negative reviews intact and respond with a polite and honest answer. This will help you better evaluate and understand where you can improve while also showing that you care about patient satisfaction.
Responding to negative reviews can be tough, but a well thought out response can outweigh the negative and boost your online reputation in the process.
Engage with social media.
Nearly 70% of adults in America use at least one social media platform. This means that many of your patients are using social media and if you aren’t, you need to be.
Maintain an active presence on social media. Interact with patients, create meaningful content, and share information you think your patients would find interesting. This will build your relationship with your existing patients while showing potential patients the level of care you give.
Consistency is key.
It’s true — consistency is crucial to your success. Your website might look great, but what about the rest of your profiles (Instagram, Facebook, Google My Business, Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc.). Your profiles should project the same image and provide complete information. If there is conflicting information out there you will look less legitimate and could hurt your online reputation.
Take the time to claim important online profiles and complete them with information that is consistent. This will help boost your credibility and your practice’s online reputation.
Searching for a new chiropractor can be tough, so make it as easy as possible for potential patients to find and choose you as their provider. To learn more about building your best practice, click here to schedule a complimentary coaching call.