This article highlights the importance of digital marketing and as well as provides some of the best practices for healthcare providers.

1. Why is digital marketing becoming increasingly important for the healthcare sector?

Overview on the use of internet

Worldwide internet use has only increased over the past few years and the propulsion is far from stopping. In 2019 more than 86% of the European population, including both young and old people, used the internet at least once a month for various reasons. Additionally, it was found that 77% of the population uses the internet at least once a day, and that 85% have a smartphone. This once again underlines the wide extent of internet usage. 

What does digital marketing mean for the healthcare industry?

A scientific paper reported that internet is the most used means by consumers to search information about healthcare providers. That is to say information about general practitioners, clinics, pharmacies and so on. It is therefore clear that the online presence and building an online brand through digital marketing has become more than important for healthcare providers. However, digital marketing is not just limited to online presence, it is also an art that allows healthcare providers to increase their online visibility. Furthermore, healthcare providers can promote their services, reach quickly customers, build trust with patients and as well as gain reputation.

Digital marketing is becoming even more important with the shifting healthcare industry is experiencing. There is an evolution towards digital health, telemedicine, online pharmacy offerings and others.

2. Top basic tips to implement a good online marketing strategy

Google My Business

One of the crucial step for local service and product providers is to create a Google My Business account. This allows to appear on Google Maps, to provide customers with essential information, such as phone number and opening hours. Being present on Google My Business presents a competitive advantage. It allows to be visible among competitors and also to attract customers thanks to google reviews.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Healthcare businesses can significantly increase their website visibility with search engine optimization. Thus, investment in search engine optimization is key for their online marketing strategy. Having a good SEO improves the website’s position on the search engine results, whether it is on Google or Yahoo. In other words, it allows the business to rank its website better than competition, to attract more customers and have a higher market share.

Google Ads Search

Google Ads Search is a crucial pay-per-click (PPC) technique for promoting its services. Thanks to its functionality, healthcare providers can list their website in the first search results when customers search for healthcare services on Google. A well-planned Google Ads Search helps to acquire the objectives of the business more quickly. For instance increasing the number of visits to the website and the number of sales. If the objective is to increase sales, to maximize the return on investment (ROI), a good google ads search must be implemented.