Set your sights high on attracting new patients and growing your practice this year. Here are 5 marketing hacks for 2019 you won’t want to miss.
1. Optimize SEO for Voice Search
Thanks to Siri and Alexa, one-fifth of all search on Google is now through voice search – a device function that allows users to search Google through spoken voice commands rather than typing – and this number is predicted to rise to one-half of all searches by 2020.
The way we search by voice – conversationally – significantly impacts SEO. In other words, since we don’t normally type the way we speak, websites must be optimized contextually to match conversation, rather than by keyword. In 2019, it’s crucial your website’s SEO is optimized for voice search to ensure you land at the top of Google search.
2. Connect on Instagram
Over the years, Instagram has gained traction as a top social media platform, and it’s not going anywhere in 2019. What do we love most about it? More engagement! In fact, Instagram images get 23% more engagement than Facebook images and 58x more engagement per follower than Facebook.
For even higher engagement, make sure to include Instagram stories. Show a behind-the-scenes look at your practice with a fun photo or short video. Plus, don’t worry about editing your content – authentic, raw footage is what your followers crave.
3. Use Facebook Location Targeting
It’s no secret that targeting potential patients with the right information at the right time in the right context can be extremely lucrative. Facebook location targeting – one of the most effective social media tools for generating higher ROI with ease – allows you to deliver relevant Facebook ads to patients within close proximity to your practice.
An oral surgeon we, PBHS, work with recently added a second office, so we expanded his campaign’s geographical influence. His last Facebook/Instagram campaign reached 7,279 people, and accumulated 158 website conversions outside of his network of fans. Of those website leads, 105 were women and 52 were men. The ROI on click conversion was 5% – which equated to 8 new patients. Cost: $50. Not a bad return. Since those individuals funneled to his website were 66% women, we created a second dental implant campaign targeting women ages 50-70 within a larger geographical region. Analyze the data, refine your targets, evolve your campaigns. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
If your goal is to drive more local patients to your practice in 2019, location targeting with Facebook advertising is a no-brainer. It’s as simple as that.
4. Add Live Chat to Your Website
What if you could capture new patients even outside of office hours? That’s the beauty of live chat. Patients can have their questions answered within minutes via live chat even if your office is closed. This leads to more patient conversion as well as overall patient satisfaction.
Plus, only 9% of companies use live chat. Gain a competitive edge by being ahead of the curve as the practice that allows patients to speak with you in real time, anytime. Learn more about Launch Chat, the leading website chat for dental specialties.
5. Invest in Google Ads
Did you know 98% of searches choose a business that is on page one of the results they get? SEO and Google Ads help ensure you land on page one, so it’s important to use not one, but both strategies. Since Google owns the vast majority of the search market, with its main focus and priority on continually improving the Google Ads tool, it’s key that you have a Google Ad campaign for your practice.
A recent PBHS client wanted to get an edge above the competition and advertise their in-house, full arch dental implant system. With a reasonable budget, hyper-focused campaign and engaging landing page, the office has seen explosive return with Click Through Rates over 5% and ROI over 200% per month.
The Google Ads platform is complex and changes constantly so it’s best to leave your Google Ads campaign to the experts. Make sure your strategist is Google Ads Certified and has experience in dental-specific campaigns.
As you map out your plans for 2019, stay ahead of the game with these dental marketing tactics. Our team at PBHS is here to help you navigate these trends and implement the most effective tactics for your practice. From website marketing to social media, live chat, and waiting room TV, we’ve got you covered.