What Are The Top Digital Marketing Tools For Attracting New Dental Patients?
Are you looking to bring in more patients to your dental practice without breaking the bank? With the right digital marketing tools, it’s easy to put your business on the path toward sustainable growth. Let’s take a look at five of the best tools that you can use to attract new dental patients.
1. Live Chat and Chatbots
Live chat tools are a great way for patients to ask quick questions about your practice. For example, a patient could ask if you offer emergency dentistry services. During office hours, they can connect with a front desk team member and get an answer in just moments, creating an immediate and personalized experience that builds trust.
Outside of office hours, automated chatbots are an excellent option for answering common questions. There are tons of different companies offering AI-powered chatbots that can answer FAQs, such as your office hours, accepted insurance plans, and details about services offered. They can also direct patients to specific pages on your website or encourage them to book an appointment.
Live chat tools also provide valuable insights into patient inquiries. By analyzing the questions asked through these tools, you can identify trends, such as frequently requested services, and use that information to adjust your marketing strategy or expand your offerings. When patients feel heard and their needs are addressed, they’re more likely to choose your practice for their dental care.
2. Online Scheduling Tools
A growing number of patients dislike using phone calls to schedule appointments. One study shows that 67% of patients prefer online booking to phone calls, compared to only 22% of patients who still prefer traditional methods. This trend highlights the importance of meeting patients where they are most comfortable.
By adding an online booking feature to your website, you make it easier for patients to book appointments seamlessly – there’s no need for them to leave your website and pick up the phone. Many online scheduling tools integrate with your practice management software, ensuring a smooth process for both patients and your team.
Additionally, online scheduling tools often offer features like appointment reminders via email or text, which can help reduce no-shows. These tools can also allow patients to reschedule appointments on their own, offering greater convenience and flexibility. By providing a user-friendly and efficient way to book appointments, you’re more likely to convert potential patients who are browsing your site into loyal visitors.
3. Review and Directory Websites
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your practice’s presence on Google My Business, Yelp, Facebook, and other review websites. Most of these review and directory websites allow you to “claim” your business so that you can respond to reviews and manage your business info. This is a simple yet effective way to enhance your online presence.
Positive patient reviews are a powerful type of “social proof” that helps convince potential patients to visit your office. However, responding to both positive and negative reviews demonstrates that you care about patient feedback and are committed to improving your services. In fact, a study found that 88% of consumers would use a business that responds to both positive and negative reviews.
In addition to responding to reviews, keeping your practice’s information updated – such as your address, phone number, and hours of operation – ensures potential patients can easily find and contact you. Regularly engaging with these platforms and encouraging satisfied patients to leave reviews can boost your credibility and increase your visibility in local search results.
4. Patient Management Platforms
There are tons of patient management platforms out there, such as OpenDental, Dentrix, NexHealth, and more. Specific features vary based on each platform, but typically include things like:
Patient info management
Two-way texting
Email marketing
Automated appointment reminders
Online bill pay
These all-in-one tools make it much easier to manage patient information, communicate with patients about appointments and follow-ups, and stay in touch between visits. For example, automated appointment reminders can reduce no-show rates, while two-way texting allows for quick and convenient communication with patients about questions or rescheduling needs.
Additionally, many platforms offer analytics and reporting tools to help you understand patient behavior and identify areas for improvement. By leveraging patient management software, you’re not only improving efficiency but also creating a better overall experience for your patients, which can lead to increased satisfaction and loyalty.
5. Social Media
Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) can all help you bring in new patients. Being active on social media allows you to interact with current (and potential) patients and show off what makes your practice unique. Since about 70% of the total population uses social media, these platforms provide enormous opportunities to reach new patients in your area.
You can also use social media to run targeted ad campaigns that will help you reach potential patients in your area. For instance, Facebook Ads Manager allows you to create highly specific audience segments based on location, age, interests, and more. This ensures that your content is reaching people most likely to need dental services.
Consistently posting engaging content, such as dental care tips, promotions, and updates about your practice, can help build your brand and keep your practice top-of-mind for patients. Leveraging user-generated content, like photos or reviews from happy patients, is another great way to enhance your credibility and attract new patients through social proof.
6. Email Marketing Tools
Email marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to attract and retain dental patients. Using platforms like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or HubSpot, you can create personalized email campaigns to stay connected with your patients.
For example, you can send newsletters featuring oral hygiene tips, updates about your practice, or special promotions for services like teeth whitening or orthodontics. Automated email campaigns can also remind patients when it’s time for their next cleaning or follow-up appointment.
Segmenting your email list allows you to tailor your messages to different groups of patients, ensuring that your communications feel relevant and valuable. For instance, you might create a special campaign for new patients offering a discount on their first visit or a referral program to encourage existing patients to bring in friends and family.
By consistently providing valuable content and staying in touch, email marketing helps keep your practice top-of-mind and encourages patients to book appointments regularly. It’s a powerful way to nurture relationships and build long-term loyalty.
Ready To Bring In More Patients? Get In Touch With Incept Health!
At Incept Health, we use modern digital marketing strategies and the latest tools to help dentists bring in more patients. Need help expanding your practice’s reach in your local market? Contact one of our marketing experts for a 100% free consultation.