11 Ways to Attract New Patients Into Your Medical Practice: Get More Patients This Year
What’s the hardest part of being a practice owner? The schooling? Dealing with insurance companies? Staying up-to-date with the latest research?
None of the above (though the insurance companies can be merciless).
No matter how long you’ve owned your medical practice, attracting new patients is one of the most difficult and elusive parts of being independent. Or, it was, until you found this article!
11 Simple Ways to Get More Patients
People sometimes think we have a sort of “special sauce” that we use to lure leads out of the dark and into your office chair. That sounds nice, but it’s really more simple (and less creepy) than that.
Having an optometrist on our team helps us apply what we know about consumer research and marketing strategies unique to healthcare settings. We take the basics, put in the work, and translate results into new patients.
Without further ado, here’s Number 1, SEO!
1. Attract New Patients With Your Website
Google Search is THE place people go for answers. In 2025, 78% of all online searches will be performed on Google’s platform. This includes people searching for a new doctor, optometrist, dietician, etc.
Websites have been described as today’s billboards and flyers. The truth is, they’re so much more than that. Marketing strategies of the past worked in the past; now you have to prove that you are the best of many options.
A properly set up website does exactly that. For example, a prospective patient might be searching “dry eye causes” to see if that’s what they’ve got and if an eye doctor could help. If you show up on the first page of their search above other optometrists, using relevant keywords to their query and intent, that person will land on your site.
Once there, you can prove to them that you really are the expert. You don’t have to put down the competition, but once the searcher is on your site you can determine how they view you. You want to be the expert, who understands their problems and has all of the answers. Plus, the searcher can easily become a patient with a simple click that leads them to schedule appointments online.
Using SEO to Get More Potential Patients In Your Clinic
SEO (search engine optimization) is the set of techniques that get Google to rank your website high–preferably at the top–for a search with a given keyword.
Done well, SEO gets your website to jump out at a prospective patient saying “Hey! We have what you need!” SEO includes:
Technical SEO
This is the stuff of niche podcasts and coding ninjas. Technical SEO involves things like backlinking, site architecture/schemas, title tags, and meta descriptions. These cater more to the Google robots searching the web for the best answers to questions.
With quality technical SEO, you’ll roll out the red carpet for these Google robots and they won’t be able to resist crawling your site!
On-Page SEO and Content
These are the more “user-facing” parts of SEO. Google’s search engine has learned a lot over the years and pages that are set up to benefit the user tend to get more time on-site and be clicked/shared/linked to more often.
By optimizing your on-page user experience with SEO best practices, you’ll get potential patients to stay on your site longer–which means they’ll have a greater likelihood of converting into a scheduled patient.
2. Show Up On Google Maps with Google My Business
When’s the last time you didn’t use Google Maps to find the way to get where you’re going? It’s become a widely used tool from Google, and often people will begin their local searches on Maps instead of Google Search.
So, have you built your Google My Business profile? That’s how you show up on Maps, receive reviews, and connect with people looking for you. Also called a local listing, these red pins serve to show people the best (and closest) options for a certain search.
Setting up a Google My Business (also “GMB”) is fairly simple. Just make sure the information is displayed exactly the same as it is on your website, Facebook page, or anywhere else your business is represented online.
Patients searching on Google Maps are often higher “intent” customers, meaning that they already plan on going somewhere and procuring a service. It is absolutely essential to have and optimize a GMB profile for your healthcare practice.
3. Getting New Patients Using Social Media
Social media marketing can be a powerful channel for growing your practice. Start by strengthening your online presence—ensure your profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are updated and engaging. Share valuable content such as eye health tips, behind-the-scenes looks, and patient success stories. Encourage your existing patients to engage with your posts by asking them to leave reviews, comment, and share their positive experiences.
Create content specifically designed for patients to share, helping your message reach a wider audience. Finally, supplement your organic efforts with targeted social media ads that include clear calls to action, guiding potential patients to book an appointment or learn more about your services.
If this all sounds like a lot of work (it is), you can hire us to help you out. Another option is to buy a software tool that streamlines things. We include a quick comparison and explanation of two well-known social media tools, Buffer and Hootsuite, in our article called 6 Optometry Marketing Tools For Your Practice.
Do Social Media Ads Work for Medical Practices?
Using PPC (Pay-Per-Click) ads on social media can be a cost-effective way for clinic owners to expand their marketing reach and patient base.
SEO is the gold standard for digital marketing, but it takes a long time to perfect. PPC ads can bridge the space and get new patients in your office while your website SEO is developing. PPC can also be a way to get in front of and attract patients who are already searching for your service in your area.
The only thing you need to have to run PPC ads are a budget, an actionable landing page (the site they go to after clicking the ad), and a clear call to action. Enticing visuals or interesting videos can both be effective social media marketing methods.
4. Promote Your Clinic In-Person at Schools and Other Healthcare Offices
While social media’s influence on what people do with their money and time is inarguably increasing, your physical presence carries value.
Use your time wisely! Find opportunities to multiply your reach. For example, consider visiting an elementary school and handing out promotional gifts for the kids and informational material for the students’ parents.
Or you could go to a family practice that often refers to you and offer to provide lunch in return for their lunch hour so you can educate them on the importance of regular exams for patients. Don’t forget to give them something with your name/logo that they’ll use every single day so you’re the first optometrist on their mind when they do remember to refer a patient to an eye doctor.
5. Utilize Local Coupon Books
Coupon books can be super effective marketing tools if they’re combined with an offer that’s worthwhile to people. Local publications not only have the benefit of displaying your investment in the community, they can–if done correctly–inform prospective patients of an offer you’re running and attract new patients to your medical practice.
These coupon books–or similar publications–might be placed in cafés, libraries, post offices, grocery stores, or any other local establishment where people with eyes go. Valpak, as one example, also offers online access to local deals and discounts.
6. Run Ads in Google Search and Maps
Maximize your practice’s visibility by investing in Google Search and Maps ads. These ads are specifically designed to reach your target audience at the exact moment they’re searching for healthcare services nearby.
By leveraging detailed geo-targeting and keyword strategies, you can effectively convert searchers into patients for your clinic. Your ads will appear when prospective patients are ready to make a decision, driving more qualified traffic and ultimately increasing appointment bookings.
7. Add a Chatbot to Your Site
Chatbots are a simple way to offer real-time answers and guide visitors through booking appointments. This friendly tool works around the clock, turning curious clicks into potential new patients. It’s like having a helpful team member on standby 24/7, ensuring no question goes unanswered and every visitor feels welcomed.
8. Take Advantage of Online Directories
Want to get more patients to your practice? Make sure you’re listed on top online directories. These sites act like digital business cards, showcasing essential info, reviews, and contact details that build your online reputation. Keep your profiles updated and invite satisfied patients to share their positive experiences—it’s an easy way to boost credibility and attract more referrals.
9. Local Billboards and Signs
Local billboards and signs still pack a punch in today’s tech-focused market. These eye-catching displays guide new patients to your practice while reinforcing your overall message. They work hand in hand with your digital efforts, playing a key role in your patient acquisition strategy by keeping your name top-of-mind when people are deciding on their healthcare options.
These include but are not limited to:
- Billboards
- Bus stop signs
- City buses
- Public benches
- Building sides
- Digital billboards
10. Employee Appreciation as a Patient Acquisition Strategy
Never underestimate the power of a happy team. When your staff feels valued, it shines through in every interaction, enhancing the overall patient experience. A positive work environment not only leads to better care but also feeds directly into your patient acquisition strategy by encouraging word-of-mouth referrals. Celebrating your team’s efforts creates a ripple effect of genuine care and lasting trust!
11. Post Blogs on Your Website
Sharing blog posts is a simple yet effective way to boost your online presence. Every post offers fresh ways to attract more patients by allowing people searching for that specific topic to stumble upon your practice website.
It’s also a smart move to promote your practice—regular updates on your help keep your community informed and engaged. Over time, these insights establish your practice as a trusted resource in your field!
Grow your Practice with Specialized Marketing
Still have questions? Need help getting started with your optometry marketing?
We love working with optometry practices on their digital marketing! Get in touch with us for a Private Strategy Session. We’ll listen to where you’re at now and help you make a plan to get where you want to be.