Building an effective marketing strategy for your dental practice

Grow Community
Chaz Puett, National Sales Manager at Great Dental Websites
27 November 2024
8 minute read

For a new dental practice, having a solid marketing strategy is crucial to attract patients and grow your business. Chaz Puett, from Great Dental Websites, shares his insights into how dental practices can develop a strong online presence and bring patients through the door.

Start with the fundamentals

Before diving into social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram, Chaz recommends that new practice owners focus on the marketing essentials. This includes setting up a well-designed website, creating a Google Business Profile, and ensuring that your Google Analytics and Google Search Console are in place from day one.

These foundational elements will ensure your practice is visible online and allow you to track how potential patients are interacting with your digital presence. Having these tools set up properly early on will help you make informed marketing decisions as your practice grows.

Target the right patients with tailored content

Chaz emphasises the importance of understanding your patients’ needs and crafting a marketing strategy that offers solutions to their problems. For new practices, attracting general patients and running emergency campaigns are key strategies to focus on before moving into more complex or high-end services.

Content marketing plays a vital role in this approach. By answering common patient questions and providing helpful information, your website becomes a resource for potential patients, helping to build trust and credibility. Whether through blogs, FAQs, or service pages, creating patient-focused content that addresses their specific concerns will improve your visibility and attract the right audience.

SEO: A marathon, not a sprint

Search engine optimisation (SEO) is an important long-term strategy for growing your online presence. Chaz explains that SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time for search engines like Google to recognise and rank your website, so consistent effort is key.

While SEO builds slowly, paid advertising such as Google Ads can provide immediate results by driving traffic to your website. Chaz advises balancing SEO with paid ads, allowing you to generate patient leads quickly while your organic rankings gradually improve.

The role of reviews and patient referrals

Patient reviews are another critical aspect of building your practice’s reputation. Chaz stresses the importance of developing a review strategy early on, encouraging satisfied patients to leave positive reviews online. Not only do reviews boost your credibility, but they also contribute to your website’s ranking in local search results.

Additionally, word-of-mouth referrals from existing patients can bring new patients through your doors. Combining an excellent patient experience with an effective review strategy will naturally lead to more referrals, helping your practice grow without heavy marketing costs.

Marketing budget: how much should you spend?

For new practices, Chaz suggests spending a bit more on marketing in the early stages to quickly establish your presence. A portion of your revenue should be allocated to traditional marketing (like local canvassing) as well as digital marketing strategies such as SEO, paid ads, and social media.

As your practice grows, you’ll be able to track what’s working and what isn’t. Chaz recommends regularly reviewing the return on investment (ROI) of your marketing efforts, allowing you to adjust your budget and focus on the most effective channels.

In conclusion, Chaz Puett emphasizes that a clear roadmap for new dental practices looking to build a successful marketing strategy is key. By focusing on the fundamentals, creating patient-centred content, and balancing SEO with paid advertising, you can attract the right patients and grow your practice steadily over time.

Ready to start or grow your dream dental practice?

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We recently hosted a webinar with our partners, offering invaluable insights on starting your dream dental practice. Unlock your access to the webinar recording by clicking the link below. 

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