Your future patients, clients and customers are going to find you one of two ways: referral from a family member or friend, or a local search using keywords containing a local component. And if they look online and you aren't there, or worse, you are there with negative reviews and an inconsistent brand, they will choose someone else to meet their needs. So in order to effectively compete in today's market, you need a high quality online presence that is consistent, controlled by you and helps your business or practice stand out from the rest.
Only 27% of adults between 35-44 use the Yellow Pages and newspapers as their primary source of business information (it’s even lower for 25-34 year-olds, with only 15% relying on print mediums)
Is your brand – name, logo, color scheme consistent and aligned with your personality?Is your website up to date and easy to navigate?Is your presence on social networks consistent and project your value?Set up Google Alerts for your name and your business name
These are the critical online strategies that will be effective for a dental practice.
Take control of your online presence: Register your own domainPurchase a hosting planResearch keywordsBuild your site in WordPressDetermine if you will blog or have some other content strategyOptimize your website using your keyword listAdd Google analytics and Webmaster tools to track progress
Make a prominent button on your website to encourage people to review you on Google
Create a system that works for you.
Remember:
Seek help but stay in controlOutsource when necessary to reputable resourcesAutomate when it makes senseStay aware of how you are perceived onlineRespond to incoming requests