How to Reshape the Healthcare Sector with Digital Marketing in 2022?

• By Shamsher Singh Bhullar

• 21st October 2021

58% of smartphone owners download and use mobile health apps. If you are among them, this blog is for you!

With the advancements in technology, the healthcare industry is literary at everyone’s fingertips!  The health sector is constantly looking for new technological advancements to keep up with the digital pulse of branding.

If you are not living under a rock, you would be aware of the steady decrease in the effectiveness of the tried and tested marketing efforts. Radio, TV, and Yellow Pages are all the things of the past. The healthcare industry uses digital marketing tactics to create awareness for its services.

Role of Internet Marketing in the Healthcare Industry

Did you know most healthcare consumers start their journey by finding and comparing providers online, through search? After completing the search, there are high chances of them converting. Here are some statistics that show the importance of online marketing in healthcare.

– 5% of all Google searches are health-related

– Google search drives more visitors to hospitals than non-search

– 94% of healthcare patients use online reviews before purchasing products

– 84% of consumers trust reviews like personal recommendations

– 1-6 online reviews are sufficient for patients to form an opinion about your practice

– The global advertising expenditure for healthcare companies  has increased by 4.3% in 2021

Why is Digital Marketing the Need of the Hour for Healthcare?

Improve Audience Reach and Service Awareness

With the increase in competition in the healthcare industry, you need to get the word around to retain customers. According to a study conducted by Google, 44% of visitors make an appointment online or call after taking a number from the website. This shows the importance of the healthcare industry to be online.  By using digital marketing,  your healthcare service will get a wider audience reach and get good branding.

Create a Customized Marketing Strategy

If you think marketing is only about making promotional videos and posting flashy ads, it’s time to think again. Through digital marketing, you can customize marketing efforts as per your needs. Create a strong online presence and keep the audience well-informed about your service through content marketing.

On the other hand, if your product demands PPC advertising, focus on it.  You can’t follow a “one glove fits all approach.” Be unique and different.

 Easy-to-Access Patients

Through digital platforms, you can access patients quickly and easily and vice versa. Online marketing improves patients’ experience, which plays a key role in retaining customers. Positive reviews are only possible because of a smooth and favorable experience.  New digital tools allow doctors to track patients, send checkup reminders, and reach out to them on important days.

Create a Positive Online Presence

Use the latest ORM tools to manage your online presence actively. Determine how your practice is perceived and provide a quick response to any customer complaints.  Also, use an online presence to push back negative reviews or misleading information and correct all the wrongs to build a good healthy brand image that draws more customers.

Increase Influence of Social Media in Healthcare

More than 40% of consumers accept that information and social media data affect how they deal with their health. Healthcare marketers must adapt to this statistic to stay relevant and create awareness about themselves and their services.

Build Patient Loyalty and a Positive Referral Base

Digital marketing in healthcare is no longer an option but a necessity. If customers love your services, ask them to generate positive reviews as it will attract new customers. It’s not just about creating a social media page; it’s all about creating a space for patients to promote your services online. However, ask for reviews without nudging their privacy.

SEO in Healthcare

Maximize your online presence and brand through SEO. Through SEO, patients can easily find you online, and the best part is SEO is not only for large hospitals. The more searches for local practices online, the more leads. According to Google, 28% of searches for something online result in a gain or purchase.

Easy Tracking with Accurate Monitoring

Through digital marketing, brands can track their profits, enhance ROI and increase customer satisfaction. The biggest advantage of digital marketing is the availability of tools and matrices to analyze results and improve performance.

Healthcare Digital Marketing Trends to Know in 2021-2022

– Reviews are a top ranking factor- According to SearchEngineLand, 85% of consumers trust online reviews.

– Video is the preferred way to interact with customers-

– Local SEO can be a game-changer for the healthcare sector

– The healthcare sector can collaborate with micro-influencers

– Telehealth will rise in 2022

– Personalization will be the gold standard

– CRO will help the healthcare sector to make more ROI

– Marketing tech will be more important than ever

– Patients will need more help across the funnel

– Use of social proof to drive more customers

With the advancements in technology, it’s high time for the healthcare sector to collaborate with a reputable digital marketing agency like Deftsoft. We will use innovative strategies to boost your brand awareness and build online brand visibility.