It has been a challenging year, to say the least, but luckily the aesthetic industry has seen strong demand throughout most of the year! The biggest takeaway we have from this year is that being adaptive is critical to sustaining and growing a medical practice. Seeing where and when to pivot enabled us to help our client’s practices maximize crucial opportunities in 2020. While our primary mission at MD Internet Marketing is to increase communication and productivity between vendors and practices in order to deliver maximum results for everyone, providing support for our aesthetic practices during this complicated year has been both challenging and gratifying.
As 2020 comes to an end, now is the time to make important adjustments to succeed next year. From virtual consultations to safety, here are the top 6 trends your practice needs to start taking advantage of now:
1. Creating an Online Store
Do you sell products at your practice like skincare? There are skincare lines that only a medical facility has the ability to sell, making your products high in demand. Not only is there a higher demand for these products, but online shopping has played a major role in people’s lives during this unprecedented time. More than half of all U.S. consumers with Internet access now shop online at least once a month. It has become easier than ever to start an online store, with tools like Shopify to add to your website. Even Instagram has created a whole new online storefront that lets your business build your brand story and drive product discovery.
2. Proving the Option of Online Consultations
During the height of the pandemic when everyone had to stay at home, online consultations made practices accessible to their patients. 84% of patients say video visits improved their relationship with their doctor. Online consultations are also a good first step for someone to see if they are interested in plastic surgery. It saves time, reduces exposure, and is convenient and private. Patient privacy and safety are the top priority for our clients. Using platforms like Klara with a simple link to the consultation makes it easy for your patients and you to use.
3. Giving Clients a Live Chat Option
Your website is one of the first places prospective patients see when researching for an aesthetic procedure. Having a Live Chat product on your website gives you 24/7 support even when your office is closed, giving your online visitors the convenience to engage on the go and on their own time. 64% of consumers think positively of companies that offer a texting tool. If you do not have Live Chat you are missing out on quality leads. The trend toward convivence and instant messaging is not going away, so integrating texting into your marketing and lead generation strategies have proven to deliver great results.
4. Promoting Safety
Conveying your safety protocols is a necessity. Showing your proactive response to situations like the pandemic through your website and social media promotes a sense of trust. It is important to quickly adapt to change. Your practice should be consistently following CDC guidelines and those of other reputable health organizations. COVID-19 has definitely raised questions and concerns about how sterile and clean your office is. Making sure you offer different options like online consultations and making your patients’ health a priority will help your practice in the long run.
5. Provide Membership Opportunities
Memberships are often overlooked in your customer experience, but they can help build relationships and loyalty with your customers. More than 90% of companies have some sort of loyalty program and your practice should really consider implementing one in 2021. Having a membership program can make your patients feel appreciated and special, which has proven to increase loyalty, as you want your patients to come back time and time again to receive treatment. It is much easier to bring in a patient you have already seen than a whole new patient with no prior relations. If you are running any type of specials or promotions, we highly recommend you consider replacing them with a membership program to increase patient loyalty and returning patients.
6. Having Everyone Use Online Paperwork
80% of patients choose providers based on convenience factors alone. And with the emergence of COVID-19, practices that do not have their paperwork online are adding an extra burden on their patients and staff. Digitizing your forms so that patients can complete them using their own devices not only saves time but streamlines the whole process for everyone. You can also increase your booking rate when you have online forms, increase your overall patient satisfaction and reduce wait times . Creating a smooth, safe and convenient patient experience is a win for everyone. Click here to see one of our client’s online booking forms.
At MD Internet Marketing we help plastic surgery practices maximize their potential by helping you and your team implement the latest trends that will improve your business. For over 10 years, we have had the opportunity to work exclusively in aesthetics, and we have the experience, resources and track record to deliver real results. If you have any questions please contact us at (954) 993-5154 or fill out our online Contact Us form.