By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    mosquito misting spray to fight malaria
    Avoid Malaria with Mosquito Misting Systems
    June 12, 2023
    Medical Surveys
    Beyond the Clinic: Medical Surveys Are a Roadmap to Passive Income for Doctors
    September 23, 2023
    Glutathione
    What Are The Benefits of Glutathione?
    January 22, 2024
    Latest News
    6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
    September 10, 2025
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Tips for Older Travelers
    April 14, 2012
    Anti-RUC Suit Challenges Process for Setting Doc Pay Scales
    October 25, 2011
    Math Matters: Dosing Errors Can Be Deadly
    May 1, 2012
    Latest News
    Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
    September 9, 2025
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Why Physicians Shouldn’t Do SEO Themselves
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Social Media > Why Physicians Shouldn’t Do SEO Themselves
eHealthSocial Media

Why Physicians Shouldn’t Do SEO Themselves

Jonathan Catley
Jonathan Catley
Share
5 Min Read
Marketing strategy
SHARE

Marketing strategy

Contents
  • A Changing Landscape
  • Why SEO Matters for Physicians

As consumers increasingly turn to the internet for health-related answers, establishing a highly-visible online presence is now a non-negotiable requirement for physicians.

Marketing strategy

As consumers increasingly turn to the internet for health-related answers, establishing a highly-visible online presence is now a non-negotiable requirement for physicians.

More Read

Dramatic Early Clinical Trial Success for New Cancer Treatment
Electronic Health Record Solutions Don’t Make Errors: People Do
Getting Personal: My Patient Experience
Balancing Technology and The Art of Medicine
Physician Leadership-What should We Expect?

No sector of the American business world has been left unaffected by the digital push — not even healthcare. While companies and providers have been slow to adopt digital trends, sites like WebMD and Yelp are changing the way that consumers seek out information and treatments for their maladies.

To prevent customers from relying solely on diagnostic websites for advice until symptoms become serious, healthcare professionals need a strong online marketing presence and a comprehensive understanding of the digital sphere. Solid digital strategies demand a great deal of expertise, ranging from community engagement on social media to utilizing big data analytics and targeted paid advertising campaigns.

But for physicians, busy schedules and steep learning curves often make the mastery of such techniques an elusive pursuit, which is why many choose to outsource their online campaigns to experienced, digital marketing experts.

A Changing Landscape

A phone

Because of the massive amount of information now available to the general public — and the unprecedented accessibility of said data — consumers are searching for primary care physicians and specialists very differently than they were even just ten years ago, according to Forbes. User-generated review sites, such as Yelp or Healthgrades.com, which let patients grade physicians and talk about their experiences, are becoming a standard starting point for people in search of care.

Indeed, recent data suggests that more and more healthcare consumers are placing more weight on their internet searches than word-of-mouth referrals or the proximity of a practice.

The same can be said of people who, when they get sick or injured, sites like WebMD and Mayo Clinic have replaced the doctor’s office as the first stop for people who suspect they’re coming down with something.

This is one of the most important reasons for developing a digital healthcare marketing strategy: about one-third of patients use mobile phones or tablets daily for research or to book appointments, and those who do book appointments conduct more than three times as many searches as those who don’t. Another 51% of patients say they feel more valued when doctors use social media to connect with them.

Why SEO Matters for Physicians

keyboard

Such significant numbers highlight the importance of patient engagement via online channels, and the value of a robust digital medical marketing plan. Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is a fundamental part of any digital marketing strategy, as it boosts the overall visibility and ranking on major search engine platforms like Google, Yahoo, and Bing.

This should be of particular interest to physicians, especially considering that one in 20 of all Google searches involve medical and health-related topics, according to SEO Hermit. In other words, adhering to SEO best practices will help ensure that your web content reaches your target audience, instead of getting lost in the shuffle.

But it’s not just about maximizing the ROI on your marketing spend and generating new leads — there’s a moral component to the argument for SEO as well. Potentially harmful misinformation and improper self-diagnosis is an unfortunate, yet pervasive issue in the internet age, and qualified physicians and experts need to remain visible in order to set the record straight and provide consumers with credible, helpful information in their time of need.

Today, SEO and online marketing campaigns are the key to grabbing the attention of prospective patients and ensuring they get the attention and care they need. But just as diagnoses and care should always be administered by physicians and other medical specialists, digital strategy is best left to the experts — the stakes are simply too high.

(Image credits: Pexels; Pexels; GotCredit/flickr)

Targeted Medical Marketing, Digital Marketing

TAGGED:digital marketinghealthcare marketingonline physician directorySEO
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

branding in healthcare
BusinessMarketingSocial Media

Should Healthcare Care About Branding?

August 3, 2018

iPad App Makes Dermatology Offices More Efficient

June 6, 2013
eHealthTechnology

Benefits of Smartphones in Managing Health Care

August 23, 2018

Hospital CEO Sees the Impact of Telestroke Firsthand

December 6, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?