Let’s say you’re driving downtown and you notice that a new restaurant has opened up. You may be curious, but you don’t pull in for a quick bite right away, do you? No, like most people you pull out your phone and Google them to find out what other people are saying: is this place worth checking out, or should it be avoided like a 14th century plague? Reviews can be a boon to any business. Even dental practices can benefit from positive testimonials and thoughts posted online. But how do you encourage satisfied patients to leave reviews?
Ask and Ye Shall Receive
Sounds simple, right? It is! You can ask your patients, both online (in the form of social media posts) and in person (as they’re leaving the office one of your staff can remind them). Often, on being prompted, a happy patient will be more than willing to visit your Google page or Facebook to leave their thoughts on their experience. But remember, not all of them will be positive. If you encounter a negative review, don’t get petty and snarky, just respond politely, apologizing for their experience and inviting the person to contact you to resolve it. This way, you appear calm and professional.
Try a Fun Promotion
You can help encourage reviews by running a fun promotion. For example, our clients have had success in the past with our “Have a Cup of Coffee on Us” campaign. In exchange for leaving a review, a patient receives a $5 gift card to Starbucks. An immediate reward, as opposed to being entered in a contest or drawing, can often net better responses.
A Few Things to Avoid
First, no matter how tempting, you or your staff members should never leave reviews about your own practice using fake names. Google can spot it, and stuffing with fake reviews won’t have a positive impact on your search engine optimization (SEO). In addition, promising better care or discounts can also be frowned upon. If you have any questions about reviews, SEO, or anything else regarding your web presence, remember MDPM Consulting is always here to help!
Need a new and better website, or want to learn how you can become a noticeable online presence? Do you have questions about online marketing strategies or SEO? We can help! Send MDPM an email: info@mdpmconsulting.com, or give us a call at 972-781-8861. Talk to our team today!