Having a strong online presence is of high importance for any medical practice. Approximately 75% of patients now search online by speciality/surgeon when looking for a specialist, or before attending a consultation (Source: RACS Prep for Practice)
See our five recommendations for boosting your online presence.
Create a User-Friendly Website
Websites do not need to be highly complicated, it’s important for the site to be easy for patients and referrers to navigate. In our experience, what is most important is to ensure that your website has clear information about your services, location and how people can contact you. Make sure that your contact phone number is in a prominent and easy to find position – usually in the top-right hand corner.
Use Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
SEO helps your website show up when people search for your specific field of practice. Simple things, such as using the right keywords and relevant content, make a big difference in getting noticed by potential patients and referrers. We find that having plenty of relevant content helps you be found organically on search engines.
Utilise Google My Business & Online Listings
Take advantage of free online listing tools such as Google My Business. This helps your practice show up in search results when patients are looking for local medical services. Please note, listings sites such as Google My Business can open you up to public reviews and can be hard to remove, though they can be a great tool, be aware of this before proceeding.
Consider Social Media
Staying active and being consistent on social media helps you connect with your community and show a more personal side to the practice, which patients like to see. It’s not about having a huge following, but to have an educational focus and a presence for patients to find you. AHPRA guidelines are very str ict for doctors on social media, be aware of the protocols before commencing to avoid getting into hot water.
Write Regular Blog Posts
Blogging is a great way to share your expertise and provide valuable information to your patients and referrers. Writing about common questions/conditions can improve your SEO and help build trust with your audience.
Proceed with caution
While online presence tools can be an effective way to promote your practice, any online content published under your brand will be subject to strict AHPRA guidelines. For more information on what you can and cannot post, speak with the RWS marketing team who have been navigating this space for over 20 years.
The RWS website, branding and marketing teams are here to help new and established specialists create and boost their online presence. Call 1300 073 239 to speak with the team.