Newsletter
With people making increasing use of digital technologies, the Internet is changing the way we conduct business and attract new customers. Smart technology has moved beyond traditional methods of accessing the Internet, and our dependence on mobile technology has become second nature. Keeping up with the changes will make all the difference in staying ahead of the competition. Hans-Peter Steffen, CEO and founder of HubSpider, has recognised these changes and explains how dentists could benefit from this development.
Amanda Baxter-Jones: Why is it so important for dental practices to be online?
Hans-Peter Steffen: The megatrend of mobile digital marketing is here. With more than three billion people accessing the Internet from their mobile phones, smart technology is a real game changer. If dentists do not have a mobile-friendly presence on the Internet, they will miss out on a large percentage of the market and leave it open to their competitors.
The Internet is worldwide; how can this help a local dentist?
By using the latest search engine optimisation algorithms and most recent techniques in building websites, dental practices can create a local presence on the Internet, enabling them to attract not only local clients to their practice, but also patients who are looking for the treatments the practice specialises in. This is a powerful tool and is extremely cost-effective: it allows a dental practice to attract only the patients it wants―no more wasting time on patients not suited to the practice’s focus.
So the Internet is a new medium for marketing?
The Internet is a valuable tool for marketing, but this is not its only useful feature. The Internet provides dentists with the tools to maximise the efficiency of front office, such as appointment bookings, as well as meet and greet, and back office operations, including patient records and laboratory reports. For example, by using an online booking system, patients are able to book and change appointments from their phones. This is much more convenient for patients and they are more likely to notify the dentist of any cancellations, saving the practice money and time.
What is the future for dentists who do not have an online presence?
A dental practice that does not have a mobile-friendly and optimised presence on the Internet will lose business. Potential patients will always opt for the most convenient way to book appointments. It is important that a dental practice has an online channel that explains the treatment offering, has good references and provides a user-friendly booking system. People do not want to pick up the phone when they can use a simple online booking system instead.
Is it expensive to maintain a good online marketing strategy?
Online marketing is much more cost-effective than conventional advertising. It also saves the practice time and money through virtual online assistance, such as FAQs and providing customer service through an online messaging service. It is important that updates be done regularly; however, over time this will become easier as the practice builds its network of patients and followers online.
Hans-Peter Steffen made some very important points regarding the relevance of an online presence for dentists in today’s digital world. It is no longer enough to just have a website: it needs to respond to today’s megatrends in mobile Internet usage and be optimised, so that it can easily be found by the right type of patients. He also highlighted the additional benefits of streamlining a dental practice’s front office operations by using an online booking system and social media to maintain customer loyalty and attract new patients.
HubSpider’s partnership with Curaden was a valuable part of Steffen’s vision. With over 60 years’ experience in the dental profession, Curaden has a number of brands that embody its slogan “Better oral health for all”, supplying leading-edge dental products, including toothbrushes, interdental brushes and toothpaste. They also develop revolutionary dental practice management software and dental marketing solutions.
Curaden’s dental experience combined with innovative online digital technologies offers the ideal means for developing a group of experts who can assist dentists in utilising the Internet to their best advantage to both conduct their business and attract new customers.
From http://www.dental-tribune.com
