How to Increase Patient Walkins to Your Clinic?

Continuing to attract new patients to your hospital or clinic is just as important as retaining existing ones. More patients means more practice and revenue for clinics and hospitals. Furthermore, research on hospital brand equity shows a direct correlation between hospital reputation and patient volume. 

If you’re looking to improve total footfall in your clinic, stick to this blog till the end, in which we’ll share a few strategies to build more brand awareness and attract more patient walkins. 

In the age of the internet, where smartphones are in the hands of more people, 8 out of 10 patients begin their healthcare journey with a Google search before visiting a doctor. There are more than 70,000 health realated searches performed every minute, and they are still growing. What if you’re the one who keeps coming to the top of these search queries? That is where healthcare digital marketing services come into play, assisting clinics, doctors, beauty and wellness centres, fitness hubs, and hospitals.  

5 Practical Strategies to Increase Total Patient Walkins

As a healthcare digital marketing agency, we have worked with over 300 clients and generated Rs 4 crore in revenue each month. We are sharing strategies that we use for our clients, which you can adapt for your healthcare clinic. 

Here are specific digital marketing tactics for increasing total patient walk-ins:

Leverage Search Engine Optimisation (SEO):

Optimise your website and content for search engines so that prospective patients can easily find your healthcare services when searching online. Employ pertinent keywords, produce high-caliber material, and optimise meta tags. The clinic’s search engine ranking ensures that prospective patients can easily find and access your healthcare services online. 

In fact, 44% of internet users use Google to search for doctors, and 36% use the internet to search clinics and hospitals. So, here are some SEO best practices that you can use to achieve maximum positive results:

• Identify and integrate relevant keywords to match user search queries.
• For a flawless user experience, make sure your website is responsive to mobile devices.
• Produce informative, engaging content to meet user needs and improve rankings.
• Craft compelling meta titles and descriptions for each webpage based on targeted keywords.
• Optimise for local searches by updating your Google My Business listing.
• Create reputable, high-quality backlinks to increase the legitimacy of your website.
• Optimise website speed for a better user experience.
• Utilise analytics tools like Google Analytics to track performance and refine your SEO strategy.

Integrate the Online Appointment Booking System:

Integrate an efficient online appointment booking system on your website. Ensure it is user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and provides a seamless experience for patients looking to schedule appointments digitally. A survey discovered that 64% of patients who book appointments online save significantly more time than patients who book in person. 

Here are some features to look into an online appointment booking system –

1. Ensure a simple and intuitive design for easy navigation.
2. Optimise the system for seamless booking on various devices.
3. Place a prominent “Book Now” button for quick access.
4. Implement automated reminders via email or SMS to reduce no-shows.
5. Display current appointment slots to enhance scheduling accuracy.
6. Allow users to sync appointments with popular calendar applications.
7. Provide secure online payment options for paid services.
8. Send instant confirmation messages upon successful booking.

Social Media Marketing:

Use well-known social media sites to interact with your audience. Share informative content, health tips, and updates about your clinic. Showcase your expertise, humanise your brand, and encourage patient interaction. Social media marketing is a powerful tool for building trust, reaching a wider audience, and ultimately driving more patient walk-ins to your clinic.

The following are social media marketing best practices:

• Ensure that your brand identification is consistent on all social media channels.
• Create visually appealing and informative content to capture the audience’s attention.
• Incorporate relevant hashtags to expand the reach of your posts.
• Use interactive storytelling, polls, and quizzes to promote participation.
• Respond to comments and messages in a timely manner.
• Partner with influencers or collaborate with complementary brands for increased visibility.

Paid Advertising (PPC):

Use pay-per-click (PPC) advertising on search engines and social media to promote your healthcare services. Target specific keywords and demographics to reach potential patients actively seeking medical care. Healthcare digital ad spend will exceed $15 billion by 2023, demonstrating the power and importance of paid media for clinics and wellness centres.  

Tips for paid advertising for healthcare?

1. Clearly outline your advertising objectives, whether it’s increasing walk-ins, promoting specific services, or targeting a particular demographic.
2. Craft concise and compelling ad copy that highlights your healthcare center’s unique value propositions.
3. Choose relevant keywords to ensure your ads appear in searches made by users seeking healthcare services.
4. Implement geotargeting to reach users in your local area and drive foot traffic to your clinic.
5. Ensure your landing pages are optimised for conversions.
6. Conduct A/B testing on ad variations to identify the most effective messaging and visuals.
7. Optimise ads for mobile users, as many patients use smartphones to search for healthcare services.

Email Marketing:

Implement email marketing campaigns to stay connected with your existing patient base and nurture potential patients. Share newsletters, promotions, and health-related information to keep your audience engaged. 

Best practices for effective email marketing –

• Use responsive design to ensure emails are easily readable on various devices, prioritising mobile users.
• Address patients by name and tailor content based on their preferences for a more personalised experience.
• Divide your email list into segments for more targeted and relevant communication.
• Include clear CTAs to prompt patients to schedule appointments or explore healthcare resources.
• Maintain a consistent email schedule to keep patients engaged without overwhelming them.
• Encourage patient feedback to improve services and enhance patient satisfaction.
• Provide easy opt-out options to respect patient preferences and comply with regulations.

[Bonus] Start Telemarketing:

Use concise and persuasive scripts to communicate your healthcare services, appointment availability, and any exclusive promotions. Personalised phone calls can create a direct connection, addressing patient queries and encouraging walk-ins. Track campaign metrics to refine your approach and enhance effectiveness. Phone calls have resulted in 10-15x more revenue than web leads, making telemarketing a valuable addition to your healthcare digital marketing strategy.

Tips for Telemarketing –

1. Craft a concise and compelling script to guide your telemarketing calls.
2. Start with a friendly greeting, introducing yourself and your purpose briefly.
3. Listen attentively to prospects, understanding their needs, before presenting your pitch.
4. Frame your messages positively, focusing on solutions and benefits.
5. Develop a systematic approach for follow-ups to nurture leads.
6. Scrutinise and respect do-not-call lists to maintain compliance and avoid legal issues.

Conclusion:

As the competition in the medical industry becomes fierce, you should keep improving your healthcare digital marketing strategy. Patients who have benefited from the hospital’s treatment and consultation services are more likely to spend more on other treatments in the future as well. Focus on internet marketing and look for a healthcare digital marketing agency that understands your needs and makes them a reality on time. 

As the best digital marketing company for healthcare, Maximise Media understands what works and how to apply it to new beauty and wellness centres, hospitals, and clinics. If you’re also looking to enhance your online presence, generate leads, and attract more patients to your place, book an appointment at +91 92-0509-3242.