Dental Practice Marketing - Internet Technologies

A new medium

Familiarity with the internet is growing at a geometric rate. Uses and applications of the internet are also growing. Dentistry is a popular topic for research. People are using the internet for researching dental topics and procedures. More importantly, these "netizens" are now seeking information that traditionally is provided during face to face consultations which potentially will outstrip the utility of traditional Yellow Page advertising.

Knowing how and where to position important dental information regarding favorite procedures, technologies used and before/after photos is critical. Inappropriate combinations of photos, important text or special effects can result in web pages that are not found in search engines.

Different

The use and pervasiveness of internet technologies now permits dental practitioners the opportunity to market their practice and favorite procedures and even personalities with varying degrees of creativity. Still photos, audio, multimedia, on-line brochures, interactive web designs and email resources that anticipate patient questions and concerns can be utilized in any combination needed to deliver feelings of expertise, confidence and the personality of a practice. Static advertising messages will probably be a thing of the past or at best the domain of print publishing.

Dynamic and interactive websites involve the use of specialized coding that can interfere with the basic coding practices that are used for achieving beneficial rankings in the search engines. Improper usage of multimedia technologies will render a site "non-indexable."

This accounts for why most multimedia enabled dental websites are difficult to find on the internet. Access to these types of sites usually requires the viewer to know the actual URL or involves the use of a dental directory that has links to the site. Prospective patients find the directory first... then find the website. A front page (index.html/default.html/index.asp) that is loaded with multimedia coding usually produces disastrous results for search engine purposes.

Knowing how, where and when to utilize these cutting edge technologies is vital for marketing on the internet.

Provide the "right" information

You have heard the popular saying: "build it and they will come.." Many website owners (not just Dental practitioners) have discovered this does not hold true. In Dental Marketing the key to success is rather: "provide the access and information (in that order) and they will come."

The next task is the hard part. Internet users want more than just location information and telephone numbers. They want information about who you are, what you do and how good you are at it. Knowing how to "communicate" from within a website is essential if you want your website to generate the activity you are looking for. Do it "right" and you'll have people drive across the state to see you. Obtain help if you need it... otherwise you won't attract people in your own town.

If you currently have a website that IS easily found, but not generating traffic.. then contact us. We can help.