The dental industry is more competitive than ever before. With so many options to choose from, how do you make your dental practice stand out and attract new patients? The answer lies in digital marketing for dentistry.
Implementing a robust digital marketing strategy is crucial for any dentistry hoping to acquire and retain patients in today’s digital age. An effective digital marketing plan can help you:
- Reach prospective patients searching for dentists online
- Promote your dental services to specific demographics and locations
- Build your reputation and establish trust through online reviews
- Keep existing patients engaged through email, social media and more
Simply having a website is no longer enough. You need to actively promote it and optimize it for visibility across various channels. This guide will explore the key digital marketing strategies for dentists to deploy in order to grow their practice.
- Why Digital Marketing is Essential for Dentists
- Top 10 Digital Marketing Agencies for Dentists
- Finding the Right Regional Agency for Your Practice
- Key Digital Marketing Channels for Dentists
- Optimizing Your Dental Website
- Local SEO for Dentists
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Ads for Dental Practices
- Managing Online Reviews for Dentists
- Email Marketing Tips for Dentists
- Creating Valuable Dental Content
- Conclusion
- Digital Marketing for Dentistry Related FAQ
Why Digital Marketing is Essential for Dentists
More than 82% of people search online to find a new dentist. Often, they will check out a dentist’s website and read online reviews before deciding to become a patient.
With increasing competition, simply relying on word-of-mouth or existing patients for referrals is not enough anymore. You need a digital presence and marketing strategy that meets patients where they are already searching online.
Here are some key reasons digital marketing is vital for modern dental practices:
- Increased Competition: More dentists than ever before + more big dental chains. You need to stand out digitally.
- New Patient Acquisition: Most people search online for dentists. Digital marketing helps attract them.
- Targeted Promotions: Precision advertising to specific locations and demographics.
- Brand Awareness: Build expertise and trust through online presence.
- Cost-Effective: Digital marketing provides higher ROI than conventional methods.
- Patient Engagement: Keep patients coming back through email, social media, etc.
Top 10 Digital Marketing Agencies for Dentists
Beyond the largest national dental marketing agencies, there are many mid-sized yet highly capable firms that deliver results for dentists through customized digital strategies.
These agencies cater to local markets across the U.S. while offering a full suite of services from website design to search engine optimization to paid social ads and more.
We’ve compiled reviews of 10 leading regional dental marketing agencies that provide high-touch support and are producing real returns on ad spend and investment for clients.
1. Power Digital Marketing
Power Digital Marketing is an award winning, full-service digital agency with locations across North America. Their dedicated Healthcare Marketing team serves dentists specifically.
Services
- Custom Dental Website Design
- Search Engine Optimization
- Paid Media Management
- Social Media Marketing
- Content Creation
- CRM Integration
Power Digital delivers customized strategies tailored to each client’s goals – whether building awareness or acquiring new patients in a certain demographic. Their data-driven approach means tracking KPIs and optimizing efforts for maximum ROI.
For a pediatric dentistry client, Power Digital’s integrated strategy combining SEO, paid social ads and mailers resulted in a 39% increase in new patients year-over-year.
2. Straight North
Straight North is a full-service digital marketing agency with a specialized Healthcare Vertical serving dentists and medical practices.
Services
- Website Design & Development
- Search Engine Optimization
- PPC & Retargeting Ads
- Social Media Marketing
- Local SEO Marketing
- Email Marketing
This agency is extremely responsive and hands-on with clients. They offer complete transparency into their efforts and provide detailed analytics around campaign performance each month.
For a general dentistry practice looking to boost new patient acquisition in 2023, Straight North combines SEO, community management and paid digital ads customized to their target patient demographics.
3. Comrade Digital Marketing
Comrade Digital Marketing is a boutique, female-owned agency providing digital marketing services to dentists and other healthcare niches.
Services
- Website Design & Development
- Search Engine Optimization
- Google Ads Management
- Social Media Marketing
- Email Marketing
- SMS Marketing
This agency stands out through their focus on analytics and optimization – tracking detailed metrics on digital campaigns to refine efforts over time for maximum ROI based on what works.
For an orthodontics practice looking to attract patients in a new market, Comrade Digital combined SEO, community management and paid social ads to increase website traffic by 427% year-over-year.
4. WebFX
WebFX is a full-service digital marketing agency with over 25 years experience serving dentists specifically.
Services
- Custom Dental Website Design
- Search Engine Optimization
- Paid Advertising
- Social Media Marketing
- Reputation Management
- Direct Mail Services
This agency stands out through offering both digital and traditional direct mail marketing services under one roof. This integrated approach leads to greater awareness and conversions.
For a cosmetic dental practice looking to launch a new brand and attract high-value patients in 2023, WebFX combines modern web design, targeted paid ads and direct mailers.
5. Disruptive Advertising
Disruptive Advertising is an award-winning digital marketing agency with a dedicated Healthcare Division serving dentists and medical practices.
Services
- Website Design & Development
- Search Engine Optimization
- Paid Search & Display Advertising
- Social Media Marketing
- Local SEO Marketing
- SMS/Email Marketing
This agency is extremely data-driven, tracking detailed metrics around digital campaigns to optimize efforts over time for maximum ROI. Their proprietary reporting dashboard allows complete transparency.
For a family dentistry practice looking to redesign their website and boost new patient acquisition, Disruptive Advertising combines conversion-optimized web design with targeted paid advertising.
6. JumpFly
JumpFly is a digital marketing agency focused on driving leads and sales through search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising and other digital tactics.
Services
- Search Engine Optimization
- PPC Advertising
- Shopping Campaigns
- Retargeting Ads
- Local SEO
- Analytics & Reporting
Jumpfly stands out through their proprietary Martech platform which makes it easy to track ROI across digital efforts in one dashboard. This allows for optimization and transparency.
For a dental implants practice looking to penetrate a new market, Jumpfly created targeted paid search and display ads optimized specifically for the new location zip codes, city and metro area.
7. SociallyIn
SociallyIn is a digital marketing agency focused exclusively on healthcare providers including dentists and dental practices.
Services
- Website Design & Development
- Search Engine Optimization
- Paid Search Advertising
- Social Media Marketing
- Reputation Management
- Email Marketing
This agency stands out with their healthcare focus and emphasis on both digital marketing techniques plus customer experience optimization. They take a high-touch, white glove approach to guiding clients.
For a new pediatric dentistry office looking to drive awareness SociallyIn designed a modern, conversion-optimized website integrated with targeted paid advertising.
8. SmartSites
SmartSites is an award-winning digital agency catering to dentists through services like website design, search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) ads, social media marketing, online reputation management and more.
Their customized strategies are tailored to the specific needs and goals of each dental practice. SmartSites stands out through their focus on performance – they utilize detailed analytics to optimize and refine marketing efforts over time for maximum ROI.
Additionally, their in-house team of dentists help create content that speaks directly to patients in an authentic and engaging way.
For a general dentistry practice looking to redesign their outdated website and boost new patient leads, SmartSites combines a modern, conversion-focused website with targeted paid advertising.
9. Major Tom
Major Tom is a digital marketing agency with a dedicated Healthcare division serving dentists through services like:
- Website Design & Development
- Search Engine Optimization
- Paid Search Advertising
- Social Media Marketing
- Reputation Management
- Direct Mail Marketing
This agency stands out through offering both traditional direct mail and digital marketing services under one roof. This integrated approach leads to greater awareness and conversions.
For a new cosmetic dentistry practice looking to drive new patients and establish their brand, Major Tom designed a premium website supported by targeted paid ads and direct mail campaigns.
10. Ignite Visibility
Ignite Visibility is an award-winning digital marketing agency with over 300 employees serving healthcare clients like dentists through services such as:
- Website Design & Development
- Search Engine Optimization
- PPC Advertising
- Social Media Marketing
- Content Marketing
- Chatbots & Automation
This agency stands out through their passion for technology – leveraging chatbots, voice search optimization and other emerging digital tactics to help dentists stay ahead of competitors.
For a dental implants clinic looking to attract high-value patients amid increasing competition, Ignite Visibility redesigned their website for maximum conversions combined with targeted paid advertising.
Finding the Right Regional Agency for Your Practice
As we’ve seen, there are many capable regional digital agencies that offer customized services to help dentists get more patients. They combine website design, search engine optimization, paid advertising, social media marketing and other solutions.
The key is identifying factors that align with your practice’s unique needs and priorities. Consider your budget, target patient demographics, competition, business goals timeline and more.
Vet agencies thoroughly and consult them with any questions before moving forward. The right digital marketing partner will make all the difference in successfully growing your dental practice.
Key Digital Marketing Channels for Dentists
As a dentist, you need to focus your marketing efforts on the channels that your target patients are most active on. Here are the top digital venues you should have a presence on:
Dental Website
Your website is the foundation of your digital marketing. It allows you to:
- Attract prospective patients searching online for dentists in your area
- Showcase your dental services and areas of expertise
- Share educational resources about oral health
- Highlight your staff, office, and patient experience
- Capture leads through contact forms and calls-to-action
Make sure your site has an modern design, is mobile-friendly, focused on user experience, and optimized for SEO… We highly recommend using Divi AI in building modern websites.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO helps your dental website appear higher in Google and other search engines for relevant keyword searches like “cosmetic dentist Seattle” or “dental implants Tacoma.
This increases visibility and website traffic from prospective patients searching for those dental services.
Effective SEO requires optimizing website content, backlinks, citations, reviews and more…
Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Ads
PPC ads, like Google Ads, allow dentists to advertise directly to people searching for specific dental treatments or issues in your target locations.
For example, you can show your ads to people searching “emergency dentist Portland” and get direct leads of patients needing urgent dental care.
The key is precise targeting, effective copywriting and tracking conversions…
Social Media Marketing
Promoting your dental practice on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram can help:
- Increase awareness and visibility of your brand
- Highlight your services and expertise
- Share educational and interesting content
- Interact directly with prospective patients
- Run targeted ads to specific demographics
Focus on the platforms where your target patients are active on. Post a mix of content like:
- Before/after photos of dental treatments
- Patient testimonials/reviews
- Dental health tips and advice
- Promotions and offers
- Events and webinars
- Humanizing content about your staff
The key is to post consistently, monitor engagement, and focus on building relationships.
Review Sites
Review platforms like Google My Business, RateMDs, and Yelp allow patients to share feedback about their experience at your dental office.
Positive reviews build trust and credibility for prospective patients assessing which dentist to visit.
Make sure to claim and optimize all your dental practice listings. Respond professionally to reviews and encourage patients to leave additional feedback.
Email Marketing
Collecting patient emails allows you to:
- Send appointment reminders and recall notifications
- Share dental health tips and special offers
- Survey patients for feedback
- Promote new services or events
- Drive referrals and repeat visits
Email nurturing helps keep patients engaged and coming back to your practice. Just ensure your emails are personalized, valuable and not overly promotional. Click here to start your email marketing project.
Optimizing Your Dental Website
Your website is the hub that supports all your other dental marketing efforts. An effective website has:
- A Responsive Design: Adapts seamlessly to mobile devices where majority of searches occur.
- Intuitive Navigation: Easy for visitors to find information quickly.
- Compelling Copy: Concise, patient-focused copywriting. Use SEO Writing for creating your Seo-Optimized content.
- Striking Images: High-quality photos presenting your office, staff and patients.
- Clear Call-To-Actions: Standout buttons to contact, book appointments or request information.
- ADA Compliance: Accommodates visitors with disabilities.
In terms of functionality, your site should have:
- New Patient Forms: Reduce paperwork and gather info upfront digitally.
- Appointment Scheduling: Allow online self-service booking.
- Patient Portal: Provide access to dental records, billing and more.
Make sure your website content clearly communicates:
- Your services, treatments and areas of specialty
- Dentist and staff background/credentials
- Office location, hours, parking, accessibility
- Accepted dental insurance plans
- An overview of the patient experience
Optimizing the above elements increases conversions from site visitors to leads and patients.
Local SEO for Dentists
Local SEO helps your dental practice appear prominently in Google My Business and map listings when prospective patients search for dentists in your area.
Here are some key optimization tips:
- Complete Your GMB Listing: Fill out all details like photos, description, services, booking links.
- Earn Patient Reviews: Ask happy patients to leave Google reviews to build credibility.
- Update Listing Citations: Ensure practice NAP is consistent on sites like Yelp.
- Add FAQ Schema: Answer common patient questions to improve snippet chances.
- Optimize Website Meta Data: Include schema markup for address, contacts and opening hours.
- Publish Location-Based Content: Blog about treating patients in your community. Embed location mentions and geo-tags.
- Run Local PPC Ads: Geo-target nearby patients searching for dentists.
Appearing prominently for local searches helps drive foot traffic and phone calls directly to your dental office.
Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Ads for Dental Practices
PPC ads allow dentists to get their services and offers in front of people actively searching for specific dental treatments or issues in your area.
For example, you can display your ads to local searchers querying:
- “sedation dentistry San Diego”
- “dental veneers without insurance Austin”
- “pediatric dentist accepting Medicaid in Chicago”
When targeted precisely to relevant searches, PPC delivers highly qualified visitors to your site. You only pay when searchers click your ads.
The most popular PPC platform is Google Ads. Some best practices for success include:
- Laser-Focused Targeting: Only show your ads to searchers with explicit intent and ability to use your services. Avoid irrelevant traffic.
- Engaging Ads: Use emotional headlines and copywriting focused on patient pain points and desires.
- Mobile Optimization: Over 60% of Google searches are on mobile. Design responsive ads.
- Call Tracking: Measure phone calls generated by clicks on call extensions in ads.
- Retargeting Ads: Win back website visitors who left without booking by targeting them again.
- CRM Integration: Sync PPC leads with patient database to track conversions.
When layered on top of SEO, paid search delivers a powerful 1-2 punch to drive qualified patients to your practice.
Managing Online Reviews for Dentists
Positive online reviews are crucial for establishing credibility and trust with new patients searching for a dentist.
Here are some tips for managing your reviews:
- Respond Professionally: Thank happy patients and address constructive feedback. Never argue.
- Invite Patients to Review: Place review prompts in thank you emails and waiting room.
- Resolve Negative Reviews: Apologize for their experience and try to make amends. Offer to continue the conversation offline.
- Monitor Review Sites: Set up alerts to get notified when reviewed. Check frequently.
- Display Reviews on Website: Embed positive excerpts from Google and Facebook to showcase social proof.
- Analyze Feedback: Look for common complaints to improve patient experience.
- Train Staff: Educate team on importance of reviews and how to obtain them.
By actively managing online reviews, you can showcase a stellar patient experience at your dental office.
Email Marketing Tips for Dentists
Email marketing allows dentists to remain top-of-mind with existing patients through value-driven communications.
Here are some types of emails dental practices can send:
- Appointment Reminders: Confirm upcoming visits while reducing no-shows.
- Recall Notifications: Alert patients when it’s time for annual exams.
- Patient Education: Share dental health tips, new treatment options.
- Surveys: Solicit patient feedback and reviews.
- Promotions: Offer discounts on select services or products.
- Practice Updates: Announce new dentist/staff, office renovations etc.
- Referral Incentives: Encourage patients to recommend your practice.
Some best practices for dental email marketing include:
- Personalization: Use first names, customize content.
- Mobile Optimization: Over 50% of emails are opened on mobile.
- Clear CTA Buttons: Drive specific actions – call, book, shop online.
- Timing Optimization: Test best days/times to send based on open/click rates.
- Easy Unsubscribe: Maintain deliverability and sender reputation.
- Automation: Schedule pre-written emails to go out automatically.
- Metrics Tracking: Review email analytics to refine strategies over time.
Creating Valuable Dental Content
Educational content allows dentists to attract and engage more prospective patients by establishing expertise.
You can create content like:
- Blogs & Articles: Write about dental health, treatments, oral care tips, answering patient questions. You can use this SEO Writing website to create highly optimized content.
- Videos: Create YouTube tutorials educating patients on procedures or at-home care.
- Podcasts: Host recorded audio conversations interviewing other dentists and professionals.
- Infographics: Design visual guides on specific topics like pediatric dental care.
- Quizzes: Interactive content that tests dental health knowledge while capturing leads.
- Case Studies: Share patient transformation stories and treatment success.
When creating content, focus on topics your ideal patients have questions about. Answer their concerns directly while showcasing your services as a solution.
Some best practices include:
- Optimizing Content for SEO: Include relevant keywords to rank highly and attract searchers.
- Promoting Content: Share and repurpose content across website, social media and other channels.
- Calls-to-Action: Lead visitors to book consults, subscribe or contact your office.
By consistently publishing helpful dental content, you build brand awareness and establish expertise in patients’ minds over time.
Conclusion
Implementing a robust digital marketing strategy is crucial for dental practices looking to compete and thrive in the modern landscape. Dentists need an effective online presence to meet patients where they already search for providers, build credibility through reviews and content, and stay top-of-mind through email and social media nurturing.
This guide outlined the key digital marketing channels for dentists including an optimized website, search engine optimization, pay-per-click ads, social media, managing reviews, email marketing, and content creation. By focusing efforts on the tactics that deliver the highest return on investment, dentists can drive more qualified patients to their practice in a scalable way.
The key is to have a sound digital strategy that integrates and supports traditional word-of-mouth and referral marketing. Track online conversions to leads and patients as well as the procedures booked. Continue refining your digital marketing approach over time for maximum growth of your dental practice.
I hope this guide served as a comprehensive overview of best practices across the major channels of digital marketing for dentistry.
Digital Marketing for Dentistry Related FAQ
What services do dental marketing agencies provide?
Typical services include website design and development, search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising, social media marketing, reputation management, and direct mail campaigns.
How do I choose the right dental agency?
Vet multiple agencies’ industry experience, services, results, customer service, costs, and ability to customize strategy for your specific practice’s needs and goals.
What results can I expect from a dental agency?
Quality agencies consistently generate 20+ new patient calls/month for clients through digital marketing efforts as well as increased online visibility and credibility.
What does dental SEO involve?
Optimizing website content for keywords patients search when looking for dentists, earning high-quality backlinks, building online citations and reviews, and publishing location-based blogs and videos to improve local rankings.
How can PPC help my practice?
Pay-per-click ads allow your website to appear at the top of Google when prospective patients search for specific dental treatments or issues in your target locations. This provides direct leads.
What should a good dental website include?
Compelling copy explaining your services/treatments, credentials of dentists/staff, office location and hours, accepted insurance plans, new patient forms, appointment scheduling, patient portal access, and more.
How can social media attract patients?
Posting educational dental content, before/after treatment photos and patient testimonials helps establish expertise. Paid ads can also help you reach prospective patients in your area.
Why are reviews important?
Positive online reviews build trust and credibility with prospective patients assessing which dentist to visit. Actively encourage satisfied patients to leave reviews on Google, Facebook and other sites.
How can direct mail aid my practice?
Professionally designed postcards with compelling offers mailed to households in your area can drive phone calls and website traffic from nearby prospective patients.
What does a dental marketing budget include?
Expect around a minimum of $1,500/month for basic digital services from a quality agency, up to $10,000 for comprehensive plans including website, SEO, PPC ads, mailers, etc.