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The 12 Secrets That Will Transform Your Dental Practice in 2024!

In today’s digital world, standing out and attracting new patients to your dental clinic is like a race. But it’s not just about any patients; you want the ones who need your services the most. It’s a bit tricky!

Being good at digital marketing for dentists means having a smart plan, putting in time, and some effort. Most dental practices are pretty busy, so finding time for marketing can be tough.

And guess what? The digital marketing game is changing fast this year. TikTok is a big deal now, Local Service Ads made just for dentists are launching, and artificial intelligence is sneaking into marketing. So, how do you keep up?

The team member responsible for dental marketing should possess a solid understanding of online strategies and the ability to integrate them seamlessly. By following these 12 steps, we guarantee that your dental practice will thrive with a consistent influx of patients throughout 2024.

01. Optimise Your Website

Your online presence is as crucial as your physical location. Before venturing into online marketing for your dental clinic, ensure your website is optimised. Consider the following:

Pro Tip: A user-friendly website increases the likelihood of converting visitors into patients.

02. Install Effective Tracking and Analytics

Analytics is the unsung hero of marketing. Properly install Google and Facebook tracking pixels to understand visitor behaviour. Utilise UTM (Urchin Tracking Module) codes for ads to track conversions. This data-driven approach will refine your marketing strategy over time.

Here is how to setup UTM code

Use this free google tool to build this your UTM code.

Landing Page URL Web address where users arrive from a campaign link.
Campaign ID Unique identifier for tracking and organizing marketing efforts.
Campaign Source Origin of the campaign, like a platform or website.
Campaign Medium Marketing channel or type (e.g., email, social, CPC).
Campaign Name Descriptive label for the specific marketing initiative.
Campaign Term Keywords or terms associated with the marketing campaign.
Campaign Ad Content Specific content or variant used in advertising materials.

Pro Tip: Marketing without analytics is like navigating a dark room without a flashlight.

03. Local Awareness Facebook Ads

When promoting your dental practice, targeting a specific audience is crucial. You probably don’t want your ads reaching people far beyond a 20km radius; showing your ad to someone in Pakenham when your practice is in Richmond won’t be beneficial.

Utilise Local Awareness ads to effectively connect with your local audience. The new map card feature allows you to share pertinent details about your dental business, such as the address, distance, operating hours, and a “Get Directions” link. Enhance your Call-to-Action with a call button, providing an effortless way for potential patients to schedule appointments.

Here is a screenshot of how to do it in your Facebook Business Manager tool

Consider these when setting up the Local Awareness Campaigns:

Here are some Facebook Ad examples.

Example

” Your Trusted Local Dentist! Quality Dental Care in Melbourne. Book your appointment today and enjoy exclusive discounts for our neighbours! “

Pro Tip: Focus on local presence, services, and exclusive offers to entice nearby residents.

04. Click-to-Call Ads

Simplify the appointment booking process with click-to-call ads. Available on Facebook and Google Ads, these ads encourage users to call your clinic directly. Ideal for reaching patients on mobile devices, where most healthcare searches occur.

Facebook

Go to your Facebook Business Manager and click “Create new campaign”. it’ll ask you to choose a campaign objective. Select “Leads” and on the next screen select “Calls”  as the conversion location

or

Google

Pro Tip: Make it easy for potential patients to take the next step with direct call options.

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05. Facebook Engagement Ads

Facebook Engagement Ads are a type of Facebook ad campaign designed to foster interactions and engagement with your dental clinic’s content. These ads aim to increase user involvement, such as likes, comments, shares, and clicks on your posts. Here’s how they can be beneficial for a dental clinic:

Increased Visibility

Engagement on your ads signals to Facebook that your content is relevant and interesting. As a result, Facebook is more likely to show your ads to a wider audience, potentially reaching more potential patients.

Community Building

Engagement ads allow you to build a community around your dental practice. By sharing informative posts, patient testimonials, or behind-the-scenes content, you can create a sense of connection and trust with your audience.

Patient Education

Use engagement ads to share valuable information about oral health, dental care tips, and success stories. Educating your audience not only positions your clinic as an authority but also encourages ongoing engagement.

Social Proof

Positive engagement, such as likes and positive comments, serves as social proof. When potential patients see that others have had positive experiences with your clinic, they are more likely to trust and choose your services.

Call-to-Action

While the primary goal is engagement, you can still include a call-to-action in your engagement ads. Encourage users to visit your website, schedule an appointment, or contact your clinic for inquiries.

Cost-Effective

Engagement ads can be cost-effective compared to some other types of Facebook ads. Since you're not necessarily pushing for immediate conversions, the cost per engagement can be lower.

Pro Tip: Make it easy for potential patients to take the next step with direct call options.

06. Target Emergency Keywords

Targeting keywords such as “emergency” or “urgent” can be a highly effective strategy to attract clients with immediate needs and strong intent, ensuring a potentially high return on investment. However, it’s crucial to ensure that your dental practice is equipped to handle emergency cases and offers convenient contact options. Failure to do so may result in negative reviews on platforms like Google, underscoring the importance of aligning your marketing strategy with the actual capabilities and services of your practice.

For a dental clinic targeting emergency or urgent cases, relevant keywords might include:
These keywords focus on addressing immediate dental needs, and incorporating them into your marketing strategy can help attract individuals seeking urgent dental care.

07. Google Ads Income Targeting

Customise your ads based on income levels with Google Ads. Target different demographics for specific services. Adjust settings to focus on the income tiers that align with your offerings.

Navigate over to the settings tab and select “Advanced Location.” It will bring up this menu:
Select the “Location groups” tab and you’ll notice a list of three options. The one you want is called “Demographics.”
Now, choose the household income tier (or tiers) you’re interested in and click the big red “add” button!
This can be used to target higher income levels with ads for teeth whitening or veneers; lower income levels may be more interested in maintaining basic health.
Pro Tip: Tailored targeting improves the efficiency of your ad spend.

08. Remarketing Ads for Recall

Bring back potential patients who visited your website with remarketing ads. Leverage Customer Match on Google Ads and Facebook by using collected email addresses. Craft ads that encourage patients to return for services like cleanings or whitening.
Pro Tip: Remarketing is a powerful tool to re-engage interested individuals.

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09. Google Maps Ads for Visibility

Boost your clinic’s visibility with ads on Google Maps. When users search for a dentist, your ad can provide directions and a call to action. Optimise your Google Business Profile for a comprehensive online presence.

Pro Tip: Be where your potential patients search—on the map.

10. Google Business Reviews for Trust

In a study from 2022, it was found that 49% of people trust online reviews as much as recommendations from friends. Having positive Google Reviews is important. To make this happen, create a profile for your dental clinic on Google Business and ask your happy patients to leave reviews.

Usually, when someone has a bad experience, they are more likely to complain. But when they have a good experience, they might not leave a review unless you ask them to and make it easy for them. If you get a few bad reviews, don’t stress about them too much. Just respond politely. Instead, focus on getting more positive reviews. Good reviews will boost your dental clinic’s reputation. Google likes businesses with good reviews, and it can also help with other marketing efforts.
Pro Tip: Positive reviews enhance your online reputation and attract new patients.

11. Regular Social Media Posting

Build your clinic’s brand through consistent social media posting. Maintaining an active presence on social media is vital for dental clinics as it enhances brand visibility, fosters community engagement, and educates patients on oral health. Regular posts not only showcase the clinic’s expertise and success stories but also provide a platform for sharing valuable health tips. Social media serves as a powerful tool for attracting new patients through targeted advertising and promotions. Overall, social media plays a pivotal role in connecting with current and potential patients, ultimately contributing to the clinic’s growth and success.

Types of Social Media Posts for Dental Clinics:

Health Tips

Share tips on maintaining good oral health, preventing common issues, and promoting overall well-being.

Behind-the-scenes

Introduce your team, showcase your clinic's environment, and provide a glimpse of day-to-day activities to make your clinic more relatable.

Patient Testimonials

Feature positive feedback from satisfied patients. This builds trust and reassures potential patients about the quality of your services.

Promotions and Specials

Highlight any promotions, discounts, or special events at your clinic to attract both new and existing patients.

Interactive Content

Run polls, quizzes, or contests to engage your audience. This boosts interaction and helps in reaching a wider audience.

Procedure Explanations

Educate your audience about different dental procedures, what to expect, and their benefits.

Seasonal Content

Tie your posts to seasons or holidays. For example, share tips for maintaining oral health during Halloween or how to keep a bright smile during the holiday season.

Remember, consistency is key. Regular, varied, and engaging posts will help keep your clinic top of mind and foster a positive online presence. Even graphic posts can make a significant impact on your online presence

Pro Tip: Positive reviews enhance your online reputation and attract new patients.

12. Email Marketing for Direct Communication

Regular email marketing campaigns are a valuable tool for dental clinics to engage with their audience and foster a sense of connection. Moreover, these campaigns provide an ideal platform to encourage satisfied patients to leave positive Google reviews. By strategically placing a call-to-action in emails, clinics can actively request patients to share their experiences online. This proactive approach not only helps in building a strong online reputation but also enhances the clinic’s credibility, making it more appealing to potential patients. Positive reviews contribute to a positive cycle of patient engagement, satisfaction, and increased visibility, creating a significant impact on the clinic’s overall success.

Sample EDM for Google Reviews

https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/

199865/emails/109037202259838073


Pro Tip: Personalised emails create a connection and keep your clinic top of mind.


Incorporate these strategies for your dental practice and experience a significant increase in the number of patients.

If you’re curious, we’ve got something special for you. Ask for a complimentary sample report to evaluate your online presence and marketing efforts. Just fill out the form below, and we’ll reach out to you soon.

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