In many towns and cities, patients have a wide variety of dental practices to choose from, which means more competition for each practice. Being a “good dentist” isn’t exactly enough anymore, especially if you’re trying to prove that to a patient who has never been seen by you before. This is where standing out matters, and it requires a strategy focused on building your online presence, showcasing patient experience, and staying visible in a fast-paced community. If you are a dental practice looking to stand out among the rest, ProSites is here to offer ways you can compete with other dentists in your local market.
Understand Who Your Competitors Truly Are
When you think about the dental market and who your competitors are, it’s important to get specific with it instead of making every dentist your competitor. To identify which dental practices are truly your competition, look at distance so competitors are located within about 10 miles of your practice. You’ll also want to consider the type of practice and what they specialize in, because dental practices can focus on cosmetics, children’s dentistry, general dentistry, family dentistry, or orthodontics. Your direct competition would be practices that focus on the same area you do. Learning more about your competitors can give you an advantage, so check their online social media, website, and reviews to see what they offer and what they stand for.
Strengthen Your Own Online Presence
Staying present online is not negotiable today, especially since many potential customers will look online to learn what your office offers. Your Google Business Profile is one area you should optimize and fill out with accurate information, including your office hours, services, photos, and location. Your website should also accurately represent your dental office, showcasing your branding, dentists and staff, reviews, photos, and all your office information so searchers can easily find it. Staying up to date on local SEO can help you stay in search results when people search in your area. Keeping your online reviews up to date can also give people an accurate picture of what your patients think of your services, staff, options, and pricing before they decide. This keeps you reliable and trustworthy, and it keeps things transparent before you even meet your patient.
Different Services Isn’t Enough To Stand Out
Differentiating yourself from competitors will take more than offering different services or bonuses. Focusing on patient experience can help you stand out, while also making a bigger impact on a patient choosing your practice over another. You’ll want to showcase what makes your office feel different when a patient comes in, whether that is friendly staff, an inviting interior vibe, or even same-day appointment options. Offering conveniences can also set you apart, such as weekend hours, extended holiday hours, emergency appointment options, and online scheduling. Also, train your staff to communicate clearly and stay friendly throughout the entire interaction, since many patients decide whether to stay or leave a practice based on the service they receive.
Leveraging Social Media For Familiarity and Trust
Social media is the easiest way to build a presence and build trust and familiarity with our patients or potential patients. Some basic guidelines for building your social media presence include posting 2 to 3 times per week to stay top of mind and share a variety of content types. Using location tags and local hashtags can help residents find your posts. Another huge tip is to stay present in the community on social pages, groups, and business pages.
Offer New Patient Incentives
New patient incentives can be a great way to get people in the door so you can show them what you offer. A discounted rate for a first appointment can be a great, low-risk way to get people in the door. You can also highlight any financing options you offer, as well as accepted insurance, to help people choose your practice if they may benefit from these financial options. Also, make sure any offers you post for new patients are clearly outlined and detailed so they know exactly what to expect. Avoid discounting too heavily, as it can attract patients looking for a good deal instead of long-term patients who will keep coming back.
Local Partnerships and Referrals
Word of mouth and referrals can be a great way to get new patients and build trust and credibility in your community. A low-effort referral incentive is also a great way to encourage people to refer patients to your practice and expand your reach. It’s also a great idea to get involved in community events, groups, and other places where you can meet new businesses, patients, and referral partners. Sponsoring local events or networking with local business partners can help more than many people think.
Highlight Specialties or Unique Services
Highlighting certain services can help attract patients looking for that service. For example, if you offer clear aligners in your practice, you may want to advertise that often so interested people know you offer that option. Additionally, if you offer pediatric dentistry or have special technologies and training, you may want to include these on your website and Google Business Profile. Unique offerings can give patients an extra incentive to choose your practice, especially if they haven’t fully decided yet.
Implementing These Practices for Your Dental Office
If you are a dental practice looking to differentiate yourself from local competition, these tips can give you a place to start. Competing with local dental practices for patients can be difficult, especially in areas with many dental practices nearby. Starting with these practices can help you build connections and gain traction as organically and authentically as possible. If oyu still have questions, book a meeting with our team and you’re sure to see more traction through your doors!