Six Pillars of Healthcare Digital Marketing

6 Pillars of Healthcare Marketing for Dentists and Physicians. Used by the Top Practices in USA and Canada.

Your patients start their journey to find your medical services in many ways. They may have immediate need for specific service, like a parent looking for a “pediatric urgent care near me”  and over 78 percentage of the time they will go to Google and search. And majority of the time, this is done on a mobile cell phone device.  You may have a client looking for specific MedSpa service like “Coolsculpting clinic near me” for non-invasive weight loss.  There are millions of ways patients search and look for your services, every day, however,  majority of the patients use online mediums like, Google, Facebook, Instagram, Yahoo, Bing etc to find a medical service provider.

The concept of “Six Pillars of Healthcare Digital Marketing” can vary slightly depending on the source, but here’s a breakdown of a common framework that covers essential elements for a successful digital marketing strategy in the healthcare industry:

Pillar 1: Medical Practice’s Foundation

This pillar focuses on the core aspects of your practice that directly impact your online presence and patient experience. It emphasizes the importance of:

• Providing Excellent Patient Care: Delivering high-quality medical services is the bedrock of any successful healthcare practice. Satisfied patients are more likely to leave positive reviews online and recommend your practice to others.
• Strong Online Reputation Management: Actively manage your online reputation by addressing negative reviews promptly and professionally, and encouraging satisfied patients to leave positive testimonials.

Pillar 2: Medical Practice’s Website

Your website is often the first point of contact for potential patients. This pillar highlights the importance of:

• User-Friendly Design: Ensure your website is easy to navigate and accessible on all devices (desktop, mobile, tablets).
• Clear Information: Provide clear and concise information about your practice, the services you offer, your team’s qualifications, and insurance accepted.
• Appointment Booking Functionality: Allow patients to schedule appointments online for added convenience.
• Mobile Optimization: With the increasing use of mobile devices, ensure your website is mobile-friendly for optimal user experience.

Pillar 3: Medical Practice’s Online SEO and Advertising

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and online advertising play a crucial role in increasing your website’s visibility in search engine results. This pillar emphasizes:

• SEO Optimization: Implement best practices to improve your website’s ranking for relevant search terms. This can involve keyword research, content optimization, and building backlinks from reputable websites.
• Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising: Consider utilizing PPC ads on search engines or social media platforms to target specific demographics and reach a wider audience seeking medical services.

Pillar 4: Medical Practice’s Social Media Strategy

Building a strong social media presence allows you to connect with patients, share valuable information, and establish your practice as a trusted healthcare resource. This pillar focuses on:

• Choosing the Right Platforms: Identify the social media platforms where your target audience is most active (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) and focus your efforts there.
• Creating Engaging Content: Develop informative and engaging content that educates patients about health topics, showcases your services, and humanizes your practice.
• Social Media Engagement: Actively participate in conversations, respond to comments and messages promptly, and address any patient concerns raised on social media.

Pillar 5: Medical Practice’s Patient Communication Strategy

Effective communication with patients is essential for building trust and loyalty. This pillar highlights the importance of:

• Multiple Communication Channels: Offer patients various ways to communicate with your practice, such as email, phone calls, a patient portal, or text messaging (depending on HIPAA regulations).
• Appointment Reminders: Reduce no-shows by sending automated appointment reminders through email, text messages, or phone calls.
• Post-Visit Communication: Following up with patients after appointments demonstrates that you care about their well-being and can encourage them to return for future visits.

Pillar 6: Analytics and Data-Driven Approach

Tracking your digital marketing efforts is crucial for measuring success and refining your strategy. This pillar emphasizes:

• Website Analytics: Utilize website analytics tools to track website traffic, user behavior, and identify areas for improvement.
• Social Media Insights: Monitor social media analytics to understand your audience engagement, content performance, and identify what resonates best with your followers.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Use the insights gained from website and social media analytics to adjust your digital marketing strategies and optimize your campaigns for better results.

By focusing on these six pillars, healthcare practices can establish a strong foundation for their digital marketing efforts, attract new patients, retain existing ones, and ultimately achieve their business goals.pen_sparktunesharemore_vert