Is your clinic or hospital facing the challenge of reduced patient inflow? This article discusses how to attract new patients and serve more people at your healthcare facility through digital marketing for hospitals.
People now use the internet to learn about health and find the best doctors. The healthcare industry needs to keep up with this change. In this article, you will also find the best strategies in digital marketing for hospitals to grow online and become industry leaders. These strategies include SEO, Google Ads, and Health Community Building among others.
Digital Landscape in Hospital Marketing
The internet has replaced all previous means of patient-physician interaction and choices. Currently, patients take their time to study their options on health care providers before arriving at a decision.
Nowadays patients often use Facebook or Instagram to interact with the hospital, read articles, and get to know the hospital’s team. Hospitals have to ensure they promote, competent, professionally designed user-centred websites and online appointment bookings.
Transition from Traditional to Digital Marketing in Healthcare
Traditionally, hospitals advertised to patients in newspapers, magazines, and TV. Though such means can still be effective, they are normally costly and in most cases, the target audience is not achieved.
As compared to traditional marketing, promoting a healthcare facility through the World Wide Web is more affordable. Digital marketing for hospitals also comes with higher chances of getting potential patients.
Here are some key advantages of digital marketing over traditional methods:
- Cost-Effective: Digital marketing campaigns also can be planned according to a definite amount of money and budget, which can make them cheaper than online advertising.
- Measurable Results: Other attributes revealed include the use of detailed analytics in marketing platforms that enable the hospitals to monitor the performance of their online advertising and marketing strategies to modify them, if necessary.
- Targeted Reach: Digital marketing allows for the target and specific areas with the intended demographic in the case of hospitals as it would reach the right people in a short span.
Importance of Digital Marketing in the Healthcare Industry
Increasing demand for patient flow has increased the relevance of digital marketing for healthcare. Hospitals can now:
- Reach more people: Digital marketing makes it possible for hospitals to speak to many people who may not come across printed or aired advertisements.
- Build a good reputation: They continue holding that effective utilization of the internet aids hospitals in establishing credibility.
- Educate patients: Facilities can use Web 2.0 technologies for the dissemination of useful health information.
- Make things easier for patients: Patients can also use digital tools implemented to schedule appointments and access services.
- Attract new patients: It means if the clinic and the doctors establish their marketing policies can attract more patients.
Top Proven Digital Marketing Strategies for Hospitals
The importance of digital marketing in healthcare must be clear to you by now. So, let’s start exploring some proven strategies for hospitals now:
1. Search Engine Optimization or SEO.
2. Local SEO.
5. Google Ads.
6. YouTube Marketing (Organic & Paid).
7. Online Reputation Management or ORM.
8. Local Influencer Marketing.
9. Email Marketing.
10. Health Community Building.
11. Podcast on Health Related Topics.
1. Search Engine Optimization or SEO
SEO can help more people find your hospital online. It helps your hospital website show up higher in search results when people look for health-related information.
Here are the benefits of SEO for Hospital Marketing:
- Increased website traffic
- Improved brand visibility
- Attracts qualified leads
- Builds trust and credibility
2. Local SEO
When consumers look for doctors and clinics in their neighbourhood, local SEO helps your hospital appear in search results.
Here are the benefits of Local SEO for hospital marketing:
- Higher ranking in local search results
- Increased patient appointments from your local community
- Improved visibility on Google Maps
- Builds trust and credibility among local patients
3. Content Marketing
Content marketing means publishing and promoting useful and engaging content such as blog entries, videos, and patient stories. This enables your hospital to create awareness and gain an understanding from the people hence establishing trust.
Here’s how Content Marketing can benefit hospitals:
- Establishes your hospital as a thought leader in healthcare
- Boosts website traffic and SEO ranking
- Builds trust with patients by providing valuable information
- Increases patient engagement and loyalty
4. Social Media Marketing
Social media platforms like Facebook, and Instagram, are popular tools used for the digital marketing of hospitals. They can help healthcare facilities connect with patients, share health tips, and build a strong online community.
Benefits of Social Media Marketing for Hospitals:
- Increased brand awareness
- Improved patient engagement
- Real-time communication with patients
- Increased website traffic
- Crisis management and reputation management
5. Google Ads
Google Ads enable hospitals to place adverts above the organic search result. It is much easier to get a hold of those in the audience who are very interested in health-related services.
Benefits of Google Ads for hospitals:
- Immediate visibility and traffic
- Targeted advertising to reach specific demographics
- Measurable results and ROI
- Flexibility to adjust campaigns in real-time
6. YouTube Marketing
You can share health-related videos on the well-known video-sharing website YouTube. You can reach a wider audience by employing paid advertisements and optimizing your videos.
Benefits of YouTube Marketing for Hospitals:
- Increased brand visibility
- Improved patient engagement
- Educational content to build trust
- Potential for viral content
- Targeted advertising to reach specific audiences
7. Online Reputation Management (ORM)
ORM refers to the process of tracking and controlling the reputation of your hospital on the internet. This entails replying to the reviews and managing negative comments as well as promoting positive comments.
Benefits of Online Reputation Management (ORM) for Hospital Marketing:
- Improved brand reputation
- Increased patient trust and credibility
- Higher search engine rankings
- Better patient satisfaction
8. Local Influencer Marketing
Hospitals can collaborate with local influencers since audiences trust them and it can help hospitals expand exposure. They can post about your hospital, recommend it, and share the positive experiences they have been through.
Here’s how Local Influencer Marketing can benefit hospitals:
- Increased brand awareness
- Authentic endorsement from trusted influencers
- Reach a younger demographic
- Generate buzz and excitement
9. Email Marketing
Email marketing is a fantastic way to advertise hospital services, educate patients about health, and maintain contact with them. You can communicate with them directly and maintain their interest by creating an email list.
Benefits of Email Marketing for Hospitals:
- Personalized communication with patients
- Effective for promoting special offers and events
- Increased patient engagement
- Improved patient retention
10. Health Community Building
Hospitals can foster a feeling of community, exchange health information, and establish connections with patients by establishing an online community.
Here’s how Health Community Building can benefit hospitals:
- Improved patient engagement and loyalty
- Valuable insights into patient needs and preferences
- Increased brand awareness and advocacy
- Stronger online presence
11. Podcast on Health-Related Topics
Starting a podcast based on themes of health care will allow hospitals to promote their programs and become industry influencers. Especially, to disseminate knowledge and experience, convey answers to patients’ questions and develop an audience base.
Here’s how podcasts on health-related topics can benefit hospitals:
- Increased brand awareness and visibility
- Improved patient engagement and trust
- Potential for long-term brand building
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q.1: How much money should be invested in digital marketing for hospitals?
Answer: The research shows the cost of web-based marketing defined by the size of the hospital, the type of campaign for the hospital and the tools needed for the campaign. Digital marketing of hospitals in India can cost between Rs 50000/-200000/– per month.
Q.2: I want to measure the effectiveness of the digital marketing campaigns of my hospital. Please advise.
Answer: When the effectiveness of the digital tactics will have to be assessed use of parameters, which can easily be quantified or targets such as the number of leads and hits a website page gets, rate of interaction with the social media posts, number of emails received and opened and garnered patients. It is also possible to make a few decisions, using several analytics and evaluate the accomplishment of campaigns, and received outcomes.
Q.3: Do you have a list of digital marketing specialists who could assist my healthcare facility in increasing the number of patient visits?
Answer: Many digital marketing specialists exist in India who can help you target the patients for your hospital. Bangalore-based digital marketing agency Razor Growth’s Founder, Rohit Bharadwaj, is one such expert who can help you build patient traffic to your hospital. In addition to over 20 years of work experience in the field of digital marketing, he has a high conversion rate of
