Lauren Parr is the cofounder and Product Marketing Manager at RepuGen, one of the leading healthcare reputation management SaaS platforms.
In the contemporary era of digital advancements, the significance of managing healthcare reputation cannot be emphasized enough. With the constant flow of information across social media platforms, good online reviews and a positive reputation have become synonymous with attracting and retaining patients and building their trust and credibility. As we look ahead to 2024, it becomes even more vital for healthcare providers and organizations to adopt proactive patient acquisition strategies to build and maintain their reputation and, ultimately, ensure the success of their practice.
Online Reputation In A Nutshell
Online reputation refers to the way your healthcare facility’s brand is recognized by patients according to the various aspects of details circulating over the internet from the quality of products or services provided to customer experiences and online interactions. Maintaining a positive online reputation is vital as it can significantly impact patients’ decision-making.
Significance Of Online Reviews
Online reviews hold immense value in shaping consumer behavior. The Brightlocal Local Consumer Survey of 2023 revealed that 98% of consumers rely on online reviews when making decisions about local businesses, including healthcare services. This highlights the critical role your online reputation plays in attracting new patients to your practice.
Besides, patients don’t just read one or two reviews. According to our company’s 2022 Patient Review Survey, around 60% of patients look for over 19 reviews before choosing a doctor. Furthermore, the age of a review remains even more important, as 87% of patients believe that the review’s dependability is influenced by its age. All these emphasize that online reputation and providing consistent healthcare services to ensure exceptional patient experiences go hand in hand.
What Role Do Online Reviews Play In Healthcare Decision-Making
Online reviews have become an integral part of the healthcare industry, significantly impacting the decisions patients make. According to our company’s Patient Review Survey conducted in 2021, 81% of patients take into account online reviews when selecting their healthcare provider. This highlights the fact that your online reputation holds immense influence over patient decisions, making it more than just a mere reflection of your brand’s image.
Key Elements Of A Good Online Review
Comprehending the essential components of an online review that make up its overall value and credibility is vital.
Here is what patients look for:
- Volume – More reviews increases trust and confidence.
- Star rating – High ratings indicate the quality of the services/products offered.
- Comments – Written comments help to better understand patient satisfaction and experience.
- Recency – Patients often rely on the latest feedback for decision-making.
- Engagement – Patients check whether a query/concern in a review is promptly addressed to assess your responsiveness.
Maintaining reliable and precise information is of utmost importance. According to the aforementioned Brightlocal Local Consumer Survey, 87% of people rely on Google reviews, establishing it as the leading platform. Following closely behind are Yelp and Facebook, with 48% and 46% of people, respectively.
Major Healthcare Review Platforms
Among various healthcare review platforms, three sites continue to dominate as reported by our company’s Patient Review Survey of 2022, which are:
- Google – 74% of patients look for Google reviews.
- WebMD – 55% of patients check WebMD reviews.
- Healthgrades – 31% of patients read Healthgrades reviews.
Patients often rely on these platforms as they hold reliable and detailed information. So maintaining positive reviews on any of these platforms can remarkably influence your practice’s success.
Six Effective Tactics For Establishing A Robust Online Reputation
With the following tactics, you can improve the online image of your practice:
1. Maintain Accurate Online Review Listings
- List your practice on all pertinent yet key review sites such as Google, Facebook and Yelp.
- Be sure your practice’s name, address, and phone number are spelled correctly and sound right on all platforms.
2. Oversee Your Online Reviews
- Enable notifications from all review platforms to get notified of a new review.
- Keep track of your online reviews every week.
- Scrutinize your patient reviews to extract key information from them. For example, look for repeated themes, whether positive or negative, as they can guide you to improve patient satisfaction.
3. Collect Authentic Feedback
- Educate staff to request reviews from happy patients.
- Simplify the review procedure.
For instance, distribute cards to patients containing links to review sites. Utilize QR codes in your practice, allowing patients to leave reviews by just scanning them with their smartphones. Alternatively, consider employing an automated reputation management platform that will seamlessly integrate with your practice’s operations, easing the task of handling and replying to reviews.
4. Gain Insights Into Patient Sentiment Through NPS Surveys
- By conducting Net Promoter Score (NPS) surveys, you can gauge patient satisfaction levels and pinpoint areas that require improvement. These surveys also help you identify loyal patients who can become advocates for your practice. With NPS surveys, you can gain valuable insights into patient sentiment and make informed decisions to enhance your practice’s performance.
5. Reply To All Reviews, Including Negative Ones
Replying to a review (whether positive or negative) can greatly influence the way your practice is viewed by others. With prompt responses, you can exhibit your dedication to ensuring patient satisfaction and maintaining professionalism. So, you must:
- Express gratitude to the reviewer, mentioning his/her name.
- Recognize the issue, express regret and demonstrate understanding.
- Continue the conversation offline for more in-depth discussions.
6. Highlight Your Testimonials
- Include a dedicated testimonials page on your website to enhance your reputation.
- Add customer reviews on your homepage to provide instant reassurance.
Final Thoughts
Your online reputation is indispensable in attracting patients and growing your practice. While maintaining a consistent online presence and actively monitoring it, keep an eye on factors such as star ratings, the number of reviews and the recency of those reviews. Engaging with all reviews, seeking authentic feedback and highlighting testimonials all contribute to building an outstanding online reputation.
By implementing these, you can enhance the online reputation and marketing endeavors of your healthcare practice in 2024 and beyond.
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