5 Steps to Manage Online Reputation for Dentists

by Zill Davis Civil Lawyer

Gone are the days when dentists relied solely on word of mouth to drive patients and increase brand awareness. Word of mouth is still relevant but it is no longer in the form of personal recommendations. Online reviews are the new word of mouth as over 80% of patients trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. If dentists don’t pay attention to reviews posted online, it will adversely affect the reputation of their dental practices. Monitoring reviews is a critical component of dental online reputation management.

Five Important Ways to Manage Digital Reputation

Here is a list of five steps that can help in dentist online reputation management. Following these steps will definitely boost your reputation in the digital sphere.

Review Brand Mentions

If you have been oblivious to reviews posted on online platforms all this while, you can start by reviewing all the brand mentions, ratings and comments on different platforms. This is absolutely essential since you need to know what people think of your dental practice. Google your practice name and see what kind of reviews pop up first.

While it may be difficult to check hundreds and thousands of reviews on various platforms, a dental marketing agency will make things easier for you by reviewing comments and brand mentions on your behalf.

Complete Your Business Profiles

Claim and verify your business profile on Google. If you don’t have one, create it. Create and optimize accounts on review sites such as Yelp. Business profiles must be updated and maintained well since patients must be able to access correct information pertaining to your practice like location, phone number, address, website etc.

Make sure that information is consistent across all platforms. Hire professional dental marketing services for online listing distribution.

Develop a Plan to Respond to Negative Feedback

You might also come across a few negative reviews online that must be handled with professionalism. It is recommended that you respond to reviews within 24 hours. Dentists can rely on an agency with specialization in dental review management to aptly respond to such reviews. Do not disclose patient information while responding since it is a HIPAA violation.

Gain New, Positive Reviews

The best way to gain reviews is to ask for it. Send a personalized email and ask patients to leave a review. Post the positive reviews on social media, include them as testimonials on the website and paint a positive image on online platforms. Take advantage of reputation management services of reputed agencies that can create a successful strategy to gather maximum positive reviews.

Publish Quality Content

Reputation management for dentists is not limited to monitoring and responding to reviews. Publishing quality content consistently is a sure shot way of solidifying your reputation online. When you showcase your expertise through well-written articles or other forms of content, it becomes easier for patients to trust you. This naturally boosts your brand image.

Also Read: What Are The Six Steps To Follow For Dental SEO Success?

Conclusion

Dental Marketo is one of the reputable dentist online reputation and review management companies that have helped dental practices attract a consistent stream of five star ratings. Book a consultation today to translate your online reputation into increased patient appointments and more local foot traffic.