“Build it, and they will come”—you must have heard this quite a number of times, haven’t you? This, honestly, is the worst piece of advice in business. It was relevant in the past. Once upon a time, you could build a business, and people would come. But times have changed now.
Cutthroat competition exists in every sector, and healthcare is no exception. The United States has 10,728 active urgent care clinics, which means patients have many options when seeking healthcare services.
Opening a clinic is profitable, but only when a constant stream of patients trickles into it. With so many clinics, attracting patients to your clinic can be difficult. But worry not, for we’ll share a few tips that will help you increase foot traffic in your clinic.
#1 Design a Website
Over half of people in the U.S. used the internet to search for health or medical information between July and December 2022. Your potential customers are increasingly turning to the web to find information about clinics, services offered, and healthcare providers. Having a well-designed website is, therefore, essential.
You can hire a professional web designer to design your website from scratch, but that would cost you a lot. AI-powered website builders, on the other hand, help create websites within minutes without charging hundreds of dollars a web designer would. Why not save money and time by choosing the latter?
AI-powered website builders like Hocoos will take no more than five minutes to build a professional yet eye-catching website from scratch. From content to images, AI-powered websites feature everything. You can, however, add finishing touches by editing the font, color palette, and other elements.
While the content is mostly SEO-optimized, you can optimize it further for local searches. Make sure you include relevant keyword and location-based information. Your potential patients near you will be able to find your clinic when searching for healthcare services online.
#2 Get Listed on Google
A powerful tool to reach your potential customers is Google Business Profile. Get your clinic listed on it. This will increase the visibility of your clinic and attract local patients.
Recent data shows verified businesses on Google Business Profile receive 1,803 views monthly, predominantly from discovery searches. Hospitality leads in Google search views, followed by automotive and retail.
Take, for example, you are a dermatologist. Someone searches for “dermatologist clinics near me” without having a particular clinic in mind. In such a case, Google Business Profiles will display your profile, helping your business stand out and capture the attention of your potential customers.
When setting up your Google Business Profile, make sure all the information, such as the clinic name, phone number, address, and website, is accurate and up-to-date. Upload high-quality pictures of your clinic as well as staff to showcase what patients can expect.
You must also persuade your visitors to leave reviews. About 91% of people read reviews on Google Business Profile before they contact a local business, so it’s important your business receives them. Make sure you give your customers exceptional customer service. Positive reviews can boost the credibility of your clinic and help it rank high in local search results.
#3 Chronicle Your Expertise Through a Blog
Google receives over a billion queries about health. Unfortunately, a vast amount of information these people look up is inaccurate.
You’re a physician, and you’re an expert in your field. You know things that most blog writers, as well as patients, don’t. You can use your knowledge to your advantage and publish health-related content on your website.
Consider writing informative articles that address common health concerns, treatment options, and wellness tips relevant to your specialty. You can also share success stories and case studies to illustrate your clinic’s effectiveness and compassionate care.
However, make sure to optimize your blog posts with relevant keywords to improve search engine visibility and attract people. Don’t forget to cover common health concerns, local health events, or community activities to boost local SEO. This will establish you as a community expert, increasing foot traffic to your clinic.
#4 Use the Right Social Media Channel
Using social media channels to market your clinic might sound absurd, but believe us, it isn’t.
In 2023, a whopping 4.9 billion people were social media users. This number is expected to rise to 5.85 billion by 2027. Utilizing social media will help you spread the word about your services.
However, you’ll benefit only when you use the right social media channel. If your target demographic is primarily young adults, use platforms like Instagram and TikTok. About 78% of U.S. adults aged below 30 use Instagram.
You must, however, use Facebook if your clinic specializes in healthcare services for seniors. People up to 64 years of age are active users of the platform.
To sum things up, increasing foot traffic in your clinic might seem like a difficult task, but it isn’t. These tips will help you increase patient volume, so consider implementing them. You can also offer discounts, host educational events, and partner with local businesses to attract new patients.
Remember, increasing foot traffic is not a one-time effort. Instead, it’s an ongoing process. Hence, make sure to refine your strategy and adapt to the evolving needs of your patients and community. This will ensure long-term success for your clinic.