When you’re new to the digital landscape as a local business owner, it’s crucial to start with the right tools and resources. That means building a strong foundation for your dental practice with a bullet proof marketing plan and content strategy.
Here are some things to consider if you’re revamping your online presence or starting from the ground up.
Invest in Your Website
The internet is flooded with low-cost, pre-made templates to do the so-called “heavy lifting” for you. But nearly all of these web templates lack the flexibility and creativity you need to raise brand awareness. Are you more likely to get a new patient with the same cookie-cutter website as all of your competitors, or by investing the resources you need to stand out?
Leave it to the Professionals
You can’t just build a website and walk away; it needs to be maintained on a daily basis. That is why so many success practices are outsourcing their website needs to a designers and developers. Hiring an experienced professional will ensure everything is optimally set up, from the responsive web design to the engaging content on your landing pages. As a result, you will find that you’re bringing in new leads and increasing your conversion rate. You’ll also have someone in your corner if you experience any negative feedback or tech-related issues.
Having a Tracking System
Make sure you have clear goals in mind before you bring in an expert. Do you want to drive more traffic to your website? Are you experiencing a low conversion rate? A digital marketing professional will help you track and expand these goals over time. You can measure the success of your business by creating various “touch points” – milestones that prove your practice is on track for success. Whether you’re placing online ads, launching a new email campaign, or building your social media presence, you should always have a way to monitor how your platforms are performing.
Improve Your Site’s Ranking
Having an online presence is crucial for any business, but that is only a piece of the online marketing equation. Your site also needs to be developed in a way that search engines like Google approve of. Broken links, weak content, slow loading time – all of these can decrease your search engine optimization (SEO) ranking, which lower your overall visibility. Every aspect of your website should be carefully crafted, down to the very keywords you use on each page. Most people don’t go click past the first page of search results, so you’ll want to make sure your website is top-rated and seen by your target audience. Consider hiring a dedicated online marketer who will do the research and due diligence to make sure your site is performing effectively.
Have a Strong Content Strategy
Content can take many forms; from the icons you use in marketing brochures to the videos you upload to your YouTube channel. It’s the sum of written words, audio, pictures, and everything else that provides your leads with information. Each one of these elements is an opportunity to convey an important message to your audience about who you are, what you offer, and why you are different. A poor content strategy can diminish your brand reputation and reduce your chances of converting a lead. Work with someone who will keep you up-to-date on trends, best practices, and the most effective channels to reach your ideal patient.
Handling all of this can be overwhelming – from daily campaign tracking to navigating the best way to place your ads while staying within your advertising budget. Outsourcing your digital marketing needs to a seasoned professional can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. You will also save on long-term business costs, because you will have someone who knows how to avoid the common mistakes that local business owners make. Contact us today to learn how you can make the biggest impact possible as a new contender in the digital community.
