How To Attract New Patients To Your Practice For Free in 2021

Practice Tips:

Today, patients are using digital channels to research their condition, formulate their prognosis, and then seek out the best medical provider they can find to address their assumed issues. They of course will start by asking friends, family, and Facebook for recommendations, but with that recommendation comes more research from potential patients until they find the appropriate healthcare provider — someone who will understand their issues, speak their language, and direct them on a healing protocol that is aligned with how they maintain their health (allopathic, holistic, etc.).

There are a lot of things you can do to drive traffic, many of them paid, and many of them requiring a lot of your time, which you don’t have. Or perhaps you have someone internally that can do all these things, but really, you shouldn’t be doing something because other businesses are doing it. You should be doing something that is going to deliver results. Why not start with something free?

What is the best way to attract new patients and generate free traffic?

Establishing a presence using online business directories turns out to be one of the best ways to attract patients to your practice. Many healthcare providers often neglect the power of these directories and see them as a chore because using one starts with providing verified business information. It is important to know that local business directories, when used mindfully, can drive quality new patient acquisition leads consistently and without a lot of work after you set it up.

Claiming and optimizing existing listings on local business directories is a straightforward and effective way to enhance patient acquisition and grow your practice.

Get The List

What is an online business directory?

An online directory, or more specifically a business directory, is a listing of businesses that you can access online. The listings provide information about specific companies such as the name, address, contact information, associations, and the services and products offered. These businesses are usually categorized, by location, activity, or size. Some of them allow the business to post pictures, articles, case studies, certifications, etc. to support your expertise and to make it easier for potential patients to take action based on how they find you. Some of them are paid to post, but the majority are free — you just need to do the work.

Online Business directories expose your company to more traffic in more places, almost like a street billboard. The more billboards you have that show your name and correct information, the more awareness, trust and likelihood you will have at directing that traffic to your business.

What Online Business Directories Can Do For You?

Help establish a digital footprint

By listing your business on digital directories you are creating third-party verification for your business (provides a strong patient perspective because you are listed and verified) while establishing third-party links to your website (backlinks help with your digital presence and search ranking).

More places to find you

The more places you are listed, the more chances you have for potential patients to find you. It can help you dominate the search results when someone looks up your name, solidifying you as a top choice on an internet search.

Help you position yourself in a niche

There are many websites that specialize in listing wellness doctors, therapists, dentists, etc. By using these business directories you are easily able to position and confirm the specialty you provide. This also allows potential patients to see you among a list of similar specialists and helps them to “shop around.”

Builds trust and awareness

I’m sure you’ve heard the marketing stat that it takes a minimum of five views of an ad or brand before the viewer remembers or recalls that brand as something of interest or useful to them. The same psychology applies with finding and selecting a healthcare provider, especially when health is a very sensitive subject for many. The more accurate, congruent information you post on a wide range of directories, the more trust and awareness a potential patient will have subconsciously.

Search engines value local directories

Search engines like Google and Bing use accurate listing indicators from these directories to verify and therefore rate your practice info higher if you appear in multiple listings. Simply put, your chances of improving search engine visibility and ranking higher in the SERPs are HUGE if you pay attention to local business directories.

Help your potential patient find you before they land on your website

Local directories like Google My Business and Yelp tend to rank higher and are often seen by users before they get on your website. These directories are where you make the first impression. Claiming the existing listings and optimizing all the listings with accurate information is a MUST.

It is imperative that your business ensures that all of your company information is up to date on every directory listing. Failure to do so can cause confusion for potential patients, resulting in less trust and lost opportunities to serve.

What can online business directories do for your health care business?

It is important to understand that not all directories are created equal. Believe it or not, your practice or wellness provider profile might already be on a listing unbeknownst to you. It is important to search and review your profiles whether you created them or not. Because you are the rightful business owner and/or provider, it is your duty to ensure accuracy.

Although there are tons of business directories out there it is important to ensure that you prioritize adding your business to trusted authority sites rather than adding your business details to directories that are not up to date, or don’t deliver accurate information, or are not a good fit for your niche. Poorly managed and questionable directories may damage your business ranking, whereas properly managed directories will support your business as an SEO tactic with verified third-party backlinks.

According to a study, about 83% of participants used an online search to find a doctor or look up information about a healthcare facility. The more places you are listed online, the higher the chances of you getting found by new patients.

Best practice of using online business directories?

Now that you know how online business directories have the ability to make or break your healthcare practice, it is best to put in some thought and strategy in using them to your benefit.

While you work out the list of directories you want to start with, there are factors to consider that make a listing more effective. Make sure you add all of the given information while publishing a new listing or updating an existing one, especially name, address, and phone (NAP).

Business title and description
Correct address
Phone, email and fax numbers
Website
Business hours, holiday hours and opening schedule
Recent photographs, including your logo
Other: Licensing, Pricing, Services, etc

Almost all online business directories are FREE!

Yes! Without having to spend a single penny, you get the ability to update information, claim listings and publish new ones. Most, if not all, business directories are free to claim or list, which means the ROI, can be a profitable number if you pay attention to the right details. Exceptions are data aggregators – they charge for submitting listings to them.

When you go ahead with the directory listing spree, make sure to start with 5 to 10 sites at once and choose the ones with a higher When you go ahead with the directory listing spree, start with 10 to 15 sites at once and choose the ones with a higher domain authority, meaning they are organically ranked high and have consistently high traffic, as they tend to perform better on the search engine results.

By using business directories we have helped our clients increase patient lead flow by more than 200% on average. This is a tried and true, and most importantly, free and effective way to drive qualified prospective patients month after month. If you need help, we’re here to lend a hand.