1. Are people even searching for clinics or doctors online? 
2. Why would people search for doctors online? 
3. I have my website up for a few years and hardly have any visits or inquires through it. 
4. Patients inquiring online are difficult to convert.

Let me answer these questions/concerns:

1. Today, millions of people are searching online for doctors. For eg: the word "Dentist" is searched more that 4 million times, and plastic surgeon close to a million times in a single month worldwide. And this is just one keyword; the number is much bigger when you add the searches for all the keywords (synonyms, specialties etc.) used to find a dentist or a plastic surgeon etc. This is not just restricted to dentists or cosmetic surgeons, but to all the fields in medicine. 
2. People search online for doctors so that then can learn more about them before the visit. The Internet is a great place to read reviews about the doctors or clinics. Patients will obviously tend to visit doctors with good reviews. It surely beats going to a doctor unaware of his or her reputation. 
3. Just having a website does not mean more visits to the site and inquiry online. There are hundreds of doctors (with the same specialty) with websites in your area, but only 10 slots in the major search results on the first page. As searchers don't tend to go beyond the first page of the search result, most probably you are invisible to you potential patients. 
4. Its not that patients online are difficult to convert, but instead, the strategy to convert an online patient is different from that of a walk in. Once doctors accept this, the process becomes simpler.

When you receive an inquiry online, be prompt to reply to it, if you take too long, the patient will go elsewhere. Follow it up with a phone conversation if number has been provided. Direct them to place where then their read reviews by patients about you.

So now that some of the concerns doctors might have are answered, what should the online strategy for doctors be? 
Well, first, realize the fact that doctors/clinics need to be online and that the Internet is an alternate source of new patients.

Things you should do:

1. Build a presence online by building a website. A website is the best way to showcase your self and your practice. But don't just stop there, hire an SEO (Search Engine Optimization) firm to optimize your website, so you appear on top of search results. Without optimizing your site, you will be invisible to patients. 
2. Start a blog. Blog is another way to connect with patients. Discuss cases, latest technology you are using, events and trainings you have attended. 
3. Social media – Stay in touch with your patients through Facebook and Twitter. Build a following and stay connected. This way, you can remind you patients and prospective patients that your practice is live and kicking and that you're always there when you need them. 
4. Take part in forums and answer patients concerns, this can be a great lead generator as well.

The whole point is to spread your reach. Don't just depend on your website, use other forums to promote yourself. The patients are out there; all you need to do is, make yourself visible to them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nikhil_Lamba

3 Highly Effective Ways to Market a Medical Practice

When it comes to marketing a medical practice, many physicians believe that a few newspaper ads or billboards will have customers flocking into their office. Although these methods of marketing may work to attract people in the short term, it's not enough to build a successful, thriving medical practice.

Market To Your Current Client Base

Marketing a health care practice starts with your current patients. These patients clients are already familiar with the type of care that you provide. One way you can provide value to your patients while marketing your medical practice is to send a monthly newsletter with health tips and advice. You can send this newsletter via direct mail or you can get email addresses from your patients and send the newsletter via email.

Market By Offering Excellent Patient Care

How you treat each and every one of your current patients is actually one of the main factors in having a successful medical practice that lasts for the long-term. The higher quality of care that you provide, the more likely they are to stay loyal to you.

A very successful doctor in San Diego, California holds an annual party for his patients and their guests. He rents space in a local park and has various activities set up like rock climbing, face painting and inflatable jumpers for the kids, plus he orders food for everyone.

People want to feel appreciated. Building relationships based on genuine care will keep people coming back whenever they need your help. When you go the extra mile for them, they'll go the extra mile for you. Sure, there may be other medical providers that offer care for less and have offices closer to your patients' homes, but when you offer great service, people are willing to drive a little farther to get that great service.

Market Your Medical Practice on the Internet

The internet has opened up so many avenues for you to market your medical practice. Nowadays most people do research the internet before deciding on a health care practitioner, so it's in your best interest to look into marketing on the internet.

One way you can market your medical practice on the internet is to build a website and hire an internet marketing firm to help you get clients searching the web for health care practitioners in your area.

Another way to market on the internet is to start a blog and write about your medical practice. You can also write blog posts on just about anything related to the medical services you offer or provide health tips for readers. Share this blog with your current patients and encourage them to share the blog with their friends and family.

A third way you can market your medical practice on the internet is to get involved with social networking marketing websites like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. Most social networking websites allow you to search for people in your area. If your patients are on these social networking sites, invite them to connect with you online.

Great patient care, providing value, and staying connected with your patients will ensure that you have a successful medical practice for many years to come.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maria_Palma