The Power of Reviews in Healthcare
The healthcare field is packed with doctors’ offices, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other types of providers. In such a crowded marketplace, healthcare organizations need to stand out in every way they can. That’s where online reviews come into play. The number of positive reviews and the organization’s average rating can heavily influence prospective patients, who are deciding where to receive healthcare. Learn more about the importance of reviews in healthcare from MassLive Media Group, a trusted provider of tailored marketing solutions.
What Are Online Reviews?
Reviews are simply quotes and direct feedback from customers about a company’s goods or services, which are typically published online or in print publications. Testimonials may also appear on radio and television ads, although these can be perceived to be not completely authentic, as they are part of the company’s advertising plan.
Today, search engine optimization (SEO) should be the top priority when it comes to collecting reviews. This is because online reviews about a company can impact its search engine results page (SERP) ranking. Reviews can appear across several websites and platforms, such as:
- Google Maps and other search engines
- Job posting websites, such as Indeed or Zip Recruiter
- LinkedIn and Meta company profiles
- Better Business Bureau
Reviews are also a great addition to a company’s physical website – not just its search engine image. For example, reviews collected via email can be published however the healthcare provider sees fit, as long as they have the patient’s approval.
Considerations for the Healthcare Industry
Encouraging patients to leave reviews could seem like a daunting and unforgiving task for many healthcare providers. But take it from MassLive Media Group– it won’t be long before your organization is reaping the benefits and attracting new patients. Here are some top considerations about online reviews in the healthcare space:
Get Valuable Insights About Your Business
Whether patients have a terrific experience or a poor one, be ready for a wide range of feedback to come up in your reviews. Take each comment in stride – instead of taking offense to negative reviews, treat them as a roadmap of key improvement areas to focus on. Additionally, reviews can give a glimpse into how patients perceive the healthcare organization and whether current marketing tactics are being reflected in their feedback.
Thoughtfully Respond to Negative Reviews
While some companies choose to ignore negative reviews, responding to them can have a positive impact on your online reputation management. If someone expresses frustration about a particular experience, healthcare providers should publicly write back to offer further assistance in remedying the manner, as well as reach out to the individual privately to offer an apology and support.
Prioritize Honesty and Integrity
There’s nothing wrong with asking patients to leave a review on Google or social media. However, gathering honest feedback should be top of mind. For example, don’t ask patients to give you a minimum rating of four or above in exchange for rewards. It’s also crucial that real patients are leaving the reviews – not paid actors or internal employees posing as past patients.
Strive for Consistent New Reviews
The more positive reviews a healthcare provider has, the more likely a prospective patient is to schedule an appointment there. Though having hundreds or thousands of reviews could be largely helpful, setting realistic goals for the size of your organization is the key. If you’re just starting to collect reviews, try to collect five per month. When it comes to building trust with new patients, it’s just as important to see new reviews being consistently added over time. This is because only seeing older reviews can leave the wrong impression.
Form Tactics to Collect Positive Reviews with MassLive Media Group
Most healthcare administrators are too busy to add even more marketing tasks to their plate, but the right partner can help. At MassLive Media Group, our experienced team works with healthcare providers to improve their search engine visibility and improve organic traffic. Part of this includes focusing on collecting positive reviews from prior or current patients. To learn more about our tailored marketing plans for healthcare providers and other industries, contact us today.
References
https://www.patientpop.com/blog/local-search-importance-online-reviews/
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/importance-of-online-reviews