Why Attracting New Patients is Critical for Practice Success

Attracting new patients is more challenging than ever. With increased competition and patients researching everything online before booking appointments, healthcare practices need strategic approaches to thrive.

Quick strategies for attracting new patients:

• Optimize your digital presence - mobile-friendly website, Google Business Profile, online scheduling
• Build trust through reviews - actively collect and respond to patient feedback
• Leverage targeted advertising - Google Ads and social media campaigns for specific demographics
• Re-engage past patients - email campaigns and SMS reminders for follow-ups
• Offer convenience - online booking, patient portals, and telehealth options
• Focus on referrals - both from other physicians and satisfied patients

The numbers tell the story clearly. Nearly 60% of patients use Google or another search engine to find new doctors, while 62% consider positive reviews extremely important in their decision-making process. Even more striking - 91% of patients expect responses in their patient portal within 4 to 24 hours.

But here's what many practices miss: attracting new patients isn't just about marketing tactics. It's about creating an entire patient experience that makes people want to choose you, stay with you, and recommend you to others.

The landscape has shifted. Patients move, change insurance, or have bad experiences. When they leave one practice, another has an opportunity. Practices that adapt to this reality are the ones that grow.

I'm Ashley Gay, a branding expert who helped my husband's independent medical practice bill $239K in the first 90 days and reach nearly $1 million in year one while navigating a non-compete agreement. My experience in attracting new patients through strategic branding and marketing has shown me what works in today's competitive healthcare environment.

Build Your Digital Front Door: Website, SEO, and Listings

Your practice's online presence is your "digital front door" and the first impression you make. A strong online presence invites prospective patients to learn more and choose your practice.

This is crucial because nearly 60% of people in the U.S. use a search engine when looking for a new doctor. If you're not easily found online, you're invisible to a huge number of potential patients. With the top search result on Google getting 27.6% of all clicks, if you're not at the top, you're missing a significant opportunity.

At Digital Ash Agency, we understand that building this strong digital foundation is paramount. We focus on optimizing your online footprint so that when patients search for care, your practice isn't just found – it stands out.

Optimize Your Practice Website for Conversions

Your website is more than a brochure; it's a powerful tool for attracting new patients and guiding them to book an appointment. It's often their first contact with your practice. So, what makes a practice website effective?

Clear contact information is a must. A prominent, clickable phone number and easy-to-find contact forms are essential, yet many practices accidentally hide this information.

Online scheduling is a game-changer. Patients expect 24/7 convenience. With 60% of American consumers preferring it, and 63% of new patients booking their first appointment online when available, not offering it means losing patients.

Patient testimonials, especially video, are powerful social proof that boosts credibility. We encourage practices to feature them prominently.

Physician bios are also key. Patients want to know their doctor. Detailed bios highlighting experience, specialties, and personality build trust before the first visit.

Mobile responsiveness is non-negotiable. With over 63% of all web traffic now coming from mobile devices, your site must work perfectly on phones and tablets, or frustrated patients will leave. A mobile-first website is essential.

Finally, fast loading speed is key. A slow website will cause visitors to click away. We ensure your site loads quickly for a seamless experience.

Your website's goal isn't just to inform; it's to convert visitors into patients. If you're struggling with conversions, we can help identify why your website isn't ranking on Google and what common landing page mistakes might be killing your conversions.

Dominate Local Search with SEO and Business Listings

A great website is useless if patients can't find it. This is where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and online listings are crucial, especially for local search. Google handles over 87% of U.S. search inquiries, making it the king of online visibility.

Local SEO helps you with attracting new patients from your immediate geographic area. Key components include:

First, we help practices target local keywords (e.g., "pediatrician in New York") to appear in relevant searches.

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the most important online listing for a local business. We help practices claim and fully optimize their GBP with accurate information, services, photos, and Google Posts. Individual listings for each physician are also beneficial. Surprisingly, 81% of doctors lack a GBP listing, despite 39% agreeing it's the most influential online presence. You'll want to make sure you've claimed your listing!

Beyond Google, we also list your practice on other high-authority physician directories like Healthgrades and WebMD. NAP Consistency (Name, Address, Phone number) is key; it must be identical across all platforms to avoid confusing search engines and hurting your local rank.

The impact of local search is undeniable: 72% of consumers who did a local search visited a store within five miles. By optimizing your local presence, we help you connect with patients who are actively looking for care in your community. If you're ready to see how well your current online presence is performing, we offer a website audit to help you get started.

Cultivate Trust Through Reviews, Content, and Social Media

Once prospective patients find you, the next step is earning their trust. In a competitive landscape, trust is gold. Patients seek a reliable, caring partner for their health journey. This is where patient reviews, helpful content, and smart social media use become vital for attracting new patients.

Leverage Patient Reviews to Build Credibility

Online reviews are the new word-of-mouth, providing crucial social proof. With 62% of people calling positive reviews extremely important and 71% of patients using them as the first step to finding a new doctor, your reputation is on the line. Patients read an average of six online reviews before trusting a provider, and 48% of consumers only look at reviews from the last two weeks, so a steady stream of recent, positive feedback is essential.

To get more reviews, proactively ask for them! A U.S. consumer survey found that 77% of customers will leave a review if asked. Use automated emails, SMS messages (with up to 98% open rates), or an in-office tablet to request feedback.

Getting reviews is only half the battle; you must respond to all feedback while following HIPAA rules. A professional response shows you care and are committed to improvement. A stunning 64% of patients who left a negative review would return if the practice responded. Yet, many doctors miss this opportunity, with 27% never replying to reviews. Don't be one of them.

Handle negative feedback well. We help practices acknowledge concerns, offer private discussion, and show a real effort to resolve issues. This can turn a negative experience into a positive story about your practice's patient-first approach.

We help practices monitor and manage their online presence across top healthcare review sites, including:

• Google
• Healthgrades
• WebMD

Ensuring your reputation reflects the excellent care you provide is key to attracting new patients.

Educate and Engage with Content Marketing

Content marketing, through blogs, videos, or social media, lets you showcase expertise, build authority, and connect with patients by providing value upfront.

A blog with helpful articles on your specialty can make your practice a trusted resource and boost your SEO with fresh, useful content.

Video is incredibly powerful. With people spending an average of 40 minutes on YouTube per session, video content is key. Adding a video to a landing page can increase conversions by up to 86%, while other U.S.-based studies show website videos can increase time on site by 25% and boost overall conversions by 23%. Short, educational videos are highly engaging.

Patients actively search for health information online, with 80% of internet users looking on social media. Offering clear, accurate educational content like articles, guides, or infographics can attract patients researching their symptoms or treatments.

Your patients are on social media. With 70% of the U.S. population active and 41% of patients using it to decide on providers, platforms like Facebook and Instagram are vital. We help practices create content plans to share tips and engage their community, building relationships that lead to attracting new patients. For more tips, check out our guides on digital marketing for doctors and branding for doctors.

Proactive Strategies for Attracting New Patients

Sometimes you need to make the first move. While building trust organically is essential, attracting new patients often requires proactive strategies that put your practice directly in front of people who need your services. This is where strategic paid advertising and smart re-engagement campaigns become your secret weapons, helping you cast a wider, measurable net.

Reach Your Ideal Patients with Paid Advertising

Paid advertising lets you target specific demographics, locations, and interests, ensuring your message reaches the right people at the right time. Healthcare's digital ad spend lags behind other industries, creating a significant opportunity for practices that invest strategically.

Google Ads are a great starting point for attracting new patients. When patients search for local care, your practice can appear at the top of the results. Since 28.5% of users click the first result, this visibility is crucial. We help develop targeted bidding strategies to maximize ROI.

Don't overlook Bing Ads. With about 7% of the U.S. search market and often cheaper clicks than Google, it's a smart complement to your campaigns. Consider creating a Bing search ad campaign to capture this often-overlooked audience.

Social media advertising on Facebook and Instagram offers precise targeting by age, location, interests, and life events. You can also create "lookalike audiences" from your existing patient data to find similar new patients.

Remarketing is powerful because it targets people who already visited your website, gently reminding them to complete their patient journey with you.

The key is measuring your return on investment. We help practices set realistic budgets and track campaign effectiveness. One spine practice found that 70% of their office visits and surgeries came from self-referring patients acquired through digital marketing. That's the kind of impact that makes advertising worthwhile. For more inspiration, check out our healthcare advertising ideas.

Re-engage Past Patients and Cold Leads

A key strategy many practices miss is re-engaging people who already know you. This includes past patients, those who inquired but never booked, or even those who had a poor experience and might return.

Email nurturing is effective for re-engagement. Automated sequences with educational content, service updates, or check-up reminders work well. With only 3% of doctors considering email marketing important, there's a huge opportunity for practices that use it.

SMS marketing is even more powerful, with open rates as high as 98%. We help practices use SMS for reminders, confirmations, and targeted re-engagement campaigns for interested leads.

Patient reactivation campaigns can win back patients who left negative reviews. Since 64% of these patients would return if a practice responded to their complaint, reaching out to address concerns and invite them back is a powerful strategy.

Re-engagement touchpoints we recommend include check-up reminders through automated texts or emails, regular newsletters with health tips and practice news, personalized birthday greetings that strengthen relationships, and targeted outreach for cold leads who inquired but never booked.

For cold leads, persistence pays off. A thoughtful approach with multiple touches over two weeks can yield surprising results. The key is being helpful, focusing on the value you can provide.

Improve the In-Practice and Community Experience

Beyond the digital world, your practice's in-person feel and community connection are huge for attracting new patients and fostering word-of-mouth referrals. It’s about the entire experience, from staff training to referral programs. If you're building a new practice, you might find our guide on Creating a Healthcare Business Plan helpful.

How technology and convenience are key for attracting new patients

Today's patients expect healthcare to be as convenient as online shopping. Practices that use technology to simplify the patient experience will find it easier when attracting new patients.

Online scheduling is a must-have. A remarkable 60% of American consumers prefer booking health appointments online, so not offering it means losing patients who want to book outside of office hours.

Patient portals are also crucial. These secure hubs let patients access records, see lab results, and message your team. With 91% of patients expecting a response within 4 to 24 hours, a responsive portal is key. Telehealth services and digital intake forms also add significant convenience, making care more accessible and streamlining the first visit.

We help new practices set up these modern conveniences. It’s not just about efficiency; it’s about meeting patients where they are and showing you value their time. If you're a new practice looking for support, check out our Services for New Practices.

How to start attracting new patients through referrals and community outreach

Despite digital tools, personal connections remain powerful. Word-of-mouth referrals and community involvement are highly effective for attracting new patients, building trust in ways ads cannot.

Physician referrals are a classic strategy. Building strong relationships with other doctors is key. However, since only about one-third of patients follow through on specialist referrals, the process must be seamless for both the referring doctor and the patient. We help practices streamline this process.

Happy patients are your best advocates. Yet only 38% of practices have a formal patient referral program—a huge missed opportunity for attracting new patients! We help practices create smart programs that reward existing patients for spreading the word, which 42% of doctors agree is the most important way to get new patients.

Active community involvement also builds trust and natural visibility. This can include:

• Local Events: Sponsoring or participating in health fairs, fun runs, or local festivals to connect directly with potential patients.
• Health Fairs: Setting up a booth lets you chat with community members, share health tips, and provide information about your services.
• Sponsorships: Sponsoring local sports teams or events boosts your practice's visibility and shows you care about the community.

These strategies, along with excellent staff and a welcoming office, are vital for attracting new patients and building lasting relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions about Attracting Patients

What is the most effective way to attract new patients?

There's no single magic bullet. The most effective approach to attracting new patients is a comprehensive strategy covering the entire patient journey, from their first Google search to their in-office experience. Practices that consistently grow master multiple channels working together.

Your digital foundation is the start: a mobile-friendly, high-ranking website with an optimized Google Business Profile and consistent directory listings.

Next, build trust by managing your online reputation, responding to reviews, and creating educational content. With 62% of patients relying on positive reviews, this is essential.

Proactive outreach via targeted ads on Google and social media helps you reach new audiences. Meanwhile, convenient technology like online scheduling meets the modern expectations of the 60% of American consumers who now prefer it.

Strong referral networks from physicians and satisfied patients remain powerful, as 42% of doctors say word-of-mouth is most important for growth. Finally, active community involvement builds a local reputation that money can't buy.

The magic happens when these elements work together to fuel continued growth.

How much should a medical practice budget for marketing?

There's no simple answer. The common benchmark is 5-10% of revenue, but this varies based on growth goals, competition, and practice maturity. A new practice will likely invest more than an established one.

A November 2023 survey of U.S. private practices shows about one-third spend less than $2,500 monthly, another third spend $2,500-$10,000, and 29% spend over $10,000.

Different strategies have different costs. PPC advertising typically requires at least $1,000 monthly. Initial SEO investments can be $5,000-$15,000, with ongoing maintenance from $2,500-$10,000 per month. Reputation management alone can exceed $1,000 monthly.

What matters more than the dollar amount is return on investment. We work with practices to develop budgets that align with their goals, ensuring every dollar is tracked, measured, and optimized. It's not about spending more—it's about spending smarter.

How can I attract patients if I have a non-compete agreement?

This is a challenge we know well. We helped my husband's practice bill $239K in its first 90 days despite a non-compete. Thriving is possible with the right strategy.

Building a strong personal brand is your most powerful asset. Your unique expertise and care philosophy can attract patients who will seek you out specifically, regardless of location.

An exceptional patient experience is critical. Outstanding care creates advocates who spread word-of-mouth referrals that overcome geographical barriers.

Specializing in niche services can be a game-changer. If you offer treatments not widely available in your restricted area, patients will travel for your expertise.

Digital marketing outside restricted zones opens up new patient populations. Target your SEO and paid ads to zones just outside your non-compete boundaries.

Leveraging existing relationships ethically can provide a foundation for growth. Past patients, colleagues, and professional networks are all valuable resources.

The key is to build a practice that patients actively seek out. We specialize in helping practices turn these limitations into competitive advantages.

Conclusion

Attracting new patients today isn't about choosing digital or traditional methods; it's about weaving them together to serve your community. Successful practices know it's about building genuine relationships that extend far beyond the exam room.

When a patient finds you on Google, reads great reviews, schedules online, has a wonderful visit, and then refers a friend—that's the goal. Every touchpoint matters, from your website's speed to your staff's phone manner to your presence at local health fairs.

The most successful practices we work with view attracting new patients as an ongoing conversation with their community. They consistently share valuable health information, respond to reviews, stay visible locally, and make care incredibly convenient.

This patient-centered approach is powerful. When you provide real value—through educational content, seamless scheduling, or community presence—patients notice. They don't just become patients; they become advocates.

The healthcare landscape will keep evolving, but practices that commit to this holistic approach of combining digital excellence with authentic community engagement will always have an edge.

For practices ready to start actively building the thriving practice they envision, Digital Ash Agency provides the specialized marketing and networking strategies that make the difference. We understand the unique challenges healthcare practices face, from non-compete agreements to competitive markets, and we're here to help you not just survive, but flourish.

Your community needs the exceptional care you provide. Let's make sure they can find you.