Why You Absolutely Need A Website!

December 5, 2009

Incredibly, almost 50% of all local business still do not own a website - a statistic which is virtually unchanged for more than 5 years. 

Despite all the compelling reasons to get online, many local businesses still risk their online representation to unchecked review sites, third-party aggregators and inaccurate databases. I speak with local business owners every day, and although their reasons are understandable (“no time”,  “don’t know where to start”, “I have a guy doing it”) this gamble costs them any hope of reaching new customers and generating additional leads. 

I think my most recent experience is typical  - this week I finally decided to see a Chiropractor – 18 months of neck pain is enough. Like many, I started by asking friends and sent out an email seeking advice. I received three solid recommendations, and then went online to check ratings, reputation, location, phone numbers and overall credibility. I searched for their ”names” + “city” and expected to find all three quickly. I didn’t, and this story is exactly what the research confirms; a Nielsen/NetRatings survey found that 85% of people agreed that a website is an important factor in earning a consumer’s trust.   

The first Chiropractor only came up through various third-party sites like Merchant Circle - limited information and no link to a website. The second candidate was partially visible (bottom of first page) via an Internet Yellow Pages, good listing information but again – no link to a website. Neither of these two firms were even in Google Maps! The third was at the top of the results page with their own website – here.

The site is nothing extraordinary – and there are certainly some elements which could be improved (the link to the site’s developer is even broken),  but the point is this: I felt more comfortable in literally ”risking my neck” with this local business. They appear to be more credible, up-to-date and qualified. They are also smart enough to realize that a businesses online representation is too important to leave up to other uncontrollable sources. Even the most basic of websites can properly position you reach new customers. 

What’s next? Making the site visible! After all, what good is this marketing tool if it cannot be found? Here are some tips for Chiropractors, and all businesses should consider the various optimization and pay-per-click options available.

1 Comment | All Local Search Posts, Health & Medicine, Websites | Permalink
Posted by Rich H

38% of Internet Users Searching for Hospital Information.

October 11, 2009

 

Some 38% of internet users, or 28% of adults, go online in search of information about hospitals or medical facilities.

Of those adults seeking hospital information online, 45% have consulted online rankings or reviews of hospitals or other medical facilities. About one-fifth (20%) of all internet users have looked at online rankings or reviews of medical facilities. Additionally, 9% of hospital information seekers (just 3% of internet users) actively posted their own review of a hospital or medical facility.

pew internet hospital research

Leave a Comment » | All Local Search Posts, Health & Medicine, Social Networking | Permalink
Posted by Rich H

Chiropractic Marketing Online.

August 29, 2009

From: Chiropractic Marketing Online

By Matthew Loop. Matthew J. Loop is a Chiropractor, Clinical Nutritionist and best-selling Author in Atlanta, GA.

Let’s start by asking what’s the most important goal when you initiate your chiropractic marketing online. Everyone should probably answer that the ultimate goal is to get new patients walking through the doors. Why else would you do it? When you follow a proven blueprint, then this goal should be readily attainable.

However, if you truly want to be successful with your chiropractic marketing online, then something much more important needs to happen. You need to become a reliable and visible chiropractic expert in your home town. This doesn’t mean haggling people on Facebook in your city.

You need to find new and better ways online to stand as a leader in the health field, empowering people to heal and reach their healthy potential. This means that your marketing isn’t about you, but about your future patients.

An important mentor of mine says that to have a booming business you must first move the free line. This doesn’t necessarily mean giving away a free consultation, it means getting into the habit of giving away a fortune in perceived value of your services to potential patients. When you give them information or insights that help them immediately in their life, you better believe that one day they’re going to pay you for more.

When you give them information and they use it and experience improvement, you have instant credibility in their eyes. An understanding of this concept is indispensable when you begin chiropractic marketing online. Even though it worked in the 80’s to get up in people’s faces and knock on their doors, this simply isn’t the case today. What you’re going for today is subtlety and naturalness.

All of us are geared toward instant gratification and want to see new patients this moment. You must keep in mind that not seeing new patients the very day that you start chiropractic marketing means nothing. Sometimes it takes a little time. When I went through this process it was subtle at first, a trickle that became a tidal wave of new patients coming through my doors thanks to social media marketing.

I consistently built a solid reputation online that was visible in all major search engines and social networks such as Google, Yahoo, MySpace, and Facebook. You name it, and people in my city found me everywhere online. When you’re consistent and knowledgeable of this method, you can literally be your own powerful PR person. There is truly a science to online chiropractic marketing success using Web 2.0.

It’s vital to remember that it’s ok to give away some of your best chiropractic information and health tips for free to potential patients. Don’t think that if you share your best strategies with these people that they’ll take the information and run. When the advice makes a difference in their lives, they’ll come knocking. The more you give, the more you get back.

Do yourself a big favor and make sure your online chiropractic marketing is a genuine extension of you, the person. Get to know the people that show interest in your practice and be natural. Direct people to your blogs and videos that have useful information to share with them. Don’t be surprised when they slowly begin to see how your knowledge can transform their life, and they come back to pay for further services.

2 Comments | All Local Search Posts, Health & Medicine, Professional Services, Social Networking | Permalink
Posted by Rich H

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