How the Digital Front Door Improves New Patient Acquisition

How the Digital Front Door Improves New Patient Acquisition

With more patients searching for and choosing healthcare providers online, a digital presence is critical for healthcare practices. A digital front door represents a digital strategy that brings in new patients while improving the patient experience to help them connect with the care they need.

SEO, online reviews, social media, and user-friendly digital tools like the HelloHealth app can be used to attract new patients and retain existing patients.

The Digital Front Door in Healthcare

The digital front door is a strategy that combines multiple digital touchpoints to transform how patients experience healthcare services. This approach ensures that patients can find and use a healthcare provider’s services online from the initial search to appointment booking.

It’s a patient-centric digital strategy that aims to improve patient convenience and accessibility. The digital front door approach is particularly effective for new patient acquisition. It removes barriers to finding and engaging with healthcare practices and provides a single pathway for potential patients to connect with practices.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Enhancing Online Visibility

For any company, ranking at the top of search engine results is crucial for new clients – and healthcare is no different. SEO is optimizing a site for a higher rank in search engine results to help potential patients find a practice. By using SEO best practices, healthcare providers can rank higher with patients looking for healthcare in their area.

Effective healthcare SEO focuses on:

Local SEO:

This strategy focuses on users in a geographic area, and localized keywords (for example, “family doctor in Seattle”) help practices appear in “near me” searches. Adding your practice to a Google Business Profile and providing accurate contact details, hours and location information improves visibility in local search results.

Relevant Keywords

: Researching and implementing commonly searched terms such as “pediatrician near me” or “urgent care nearby” ensures a practice’s website shows up in relevant patient searches.

Content Optimization:

SEO-friendly blog articles, service pages, and informative resources that match patient searches help healthcare practices rank well in search results while educating patients and building trust.

By enhancing their online visibility through SEO, healthcare practices can reach many potential patients who would not have found them otherwise.

Online Reviews: Building Trust and Social Proof

Reviews have become helpful for healthcare practices, acting as modern word-of-mouth recommendations. Surveys show more than three out of four patients consider online reviews when choosing a provider. Positive reviews increase credibility and make new patients comfortable with their provider choice.

To use online reviews effectively:

Encourage Patient Reviews: Practices that have positive interactions with patients may encourage them to leave reviews on Google, Yelp, Healthgrades and other healthcare-specific review sites.

Respond to Reviews: Responding to patient reviews in a HIPAA-compliant manner indicates that the practice values patient feedback and is committed to quality care.

Showcase Reviews on the Website: By embedding patient testimonials and reviews on the practice’s website, providers provide social proof for new visitors to see social proof and be reassured to make an appointment.

Social Media: Connecting with a Broader Audience

Social networks like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram allow healthcare providers to interact with patients casually, establishing relationships and brand exposure. With numerous active users, social media provides an excellent way to reach potential clients and make healthcare more approachable.

Best practices for healthcare social media include:

Educational Content: Post informational posts about health tips, preventive care, or standard conditions that reflect the practice’s expertise.

Testimonials: Patient success stories can build confidence and give prospective patients an idea of what to expect.

Interactive Engagement: Practices can respond to comments, answer questions, and encourage direct messaging for inquiries, fostering a sense of community and openness.

An active and informative social media presence can position healthcare practices as accessible and patient-focused, appealing to prospective patients seeking individualized care.

Online Scheduling and Patient Portals

Digital accessibility goes beyond social media and reviews. Many patients would like to schedule appointments online without a phone call. Offering this option through a user-friendly app like HelloHealth improves patient satisfaction and attracts new patients who prefer digital interactions.

HelloHealth also offers secure access to medical records, communications with providers, and prescription refills, among other services. These features improve the patient experience and differentiate practices by providing self-service options accommodating busy schedules.

For healthcare practices, adopting online scheduling and patient portals may be a way to attract new patients, especially those looking for a tech-friendly, convenient healthcare experience.

Content Marketing: Establishing Authority and Providing Value

Another method of attracting patients to a healthcare practice would be creating and sharing helpful content via blogs, videos, and other resources. Content that answers common health questions or describes treatment options drives organic traffic from search engines and establishes the practice as a knowledgeable and trustworthy resource.

For example, a family practice might post about seasonal health tips, and a specialist might post about the latest developments in their field. This content supports SEO efforts and potentially engages potential patients with answers to their healthcare questions and concerns.