In 2020, more people are researching and pursuing healthcare alternatives online. According to HubSpot Blogs research, 40% of consumers have researched a healthcare provider online and 29% have made a purchase decision based on online reviews. Additionally, the most popular review sites, such as Google and Yelp, allow users to write reviews and express opinions freely, which could potentially influence the decisions of millions of potential patients worldwide.

Top 5 Healthcare Marketing Platforms for 2020

To stay relevant in a constantly changing world, businesses need to keep adapting and evolving to meet the needs of consumers. With this in mind, here are five of the most prominent platforms that specialize in online healthcare marketing:

• HIMSS (The Healthcare Information Management Systems Society)
• Healthcare Marketing Platform ((HIMS) from Allscripts)
• HCPconnect ((Healthcare Management Software) from Medidata Solutions)
• Odyssey Demonstrations ((EHR) from Epic)
• Practice Fusion ((EHR) from Blackwood Software)

Why Are Consumers Researching Health Care Providers Online?

The rise of the digital nomad lifestyle has lead to an increase in the number of healthcare marketers finding and working remotely. According to Fit Small Business, 89% of businesses owners report that their business is considered online-only due to remote working. Additionally, the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns have lead to a rise in demand for remote healthcare services as well. This trend combined with the changing digital nomad lifestyle makes online market research and online reviews very prominent in the consumer’s research process.

In light of the above, it’s no surprise that consumers have turned to online resources for healthcare information in the first place. According to Fit Small Business, 60% of internet users report using search engines to look for health information, and 42% rely on social media platforms for the same. Reviews from previous patients provide instant insight into the quality of care at a given medical practice. With the information explosion online, consumers have access to more sources of healthcare data than ever before.

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to loom over the world, more and more consumers will turn to online resources for healthcare information. The imperative for businesses to remain relevant in this ever-changing world is to put in place an effective and efficient online marketing strategy.

How Is Online Marketing Relevant For Healthcare Businesses?

The healthcare industry is always evolving, keeping up with the latest treatments and technologies is an essential part of running a successful practice. Due to this, many healthcare businesses have shifted to online marketing, where they can keep up to date with all the new information and gain valuable insights into their patient’s journeys.

This being said, not all healthcare businesses can or will shift to online marketing successfully. Those who do will see a huge increase in patient flow, attracting new patients and increasing their retention rates. Additionally, by understanding the stages patients go through before consulting a healthcare provider, businesses can craft better marketing strategies and offer more convenient options to their patients.

For example, when a patient enters the phase of “being curious” about a healthcare provider, an ad on a social media platform or a blog post about the latest treatments and advances could trigger a desire to learn more. If a healthcare business takes the time to respond to this desire and develop a relationship with the patient, they could potentially convert this “curiosity” phase into an active stage of seeking care. This creates potential for a much wider reach and engagement with a much larger audience.

Top 5 Examples of Successful Digital Nomad Health Care Marketing

To prove the effectiveness of their platform, we’ve curated a list of some of the most notable and popular healthcare businesses that specialized in digital nomad health care marketing.

• Optimum Wellness (healthcare Marketing Platform)
• Healthcare Marketing Platform ((HIMS) from Allscripts)
• Wellness Friday ((healthcare) Marketing Platform)
• Healthcare Marketing Platform ((HIMS) from Allscripts)
• Health Management Platform ((HIMS) from Allscripts)

How Did These Companies Become Popular?

The healthcare industry is always evolving, putting in place an effective and efficient online marketing strategy is necessary for any business to remain popular and successful. These healthcare businesses that specialized in digital nomad health care marketing have stood the test of time because of their effective strategies and their ability to adapt to changing consumer needs and behaviors.

As mentioned by Fit Small Business, the healthcare industry is always changing, keeping up with the latest treatments and technologies is essential for running a successful practice. Due to this, many healthcare businesses have shifted to online marketing, where they can keep up to date with all the new information and gain valuable insights into their patient’s journeys.

Furthermore, understanding the stages patients go through before consulting a healthcare provider, businesses can craft better marketing strategies and offer more convenient options to their patients. For example, when a patient enters the phase of “being curious” about a healthcare provider, an ad on a social media platform or a blog post about the latest treatments and advances could trigger a desire to learn more. If a healthcare business takes the time to respond to this desire and develop a relationship with the patient, they could potentially convert this “curiosity” phase into an active stage of seeking care.

These healthcare businesses that specialized in digital nomad health care marketing rose to popularity because they mastered the art of responding effectively to and engaging with their audience. Additionally, by becoming popular on social media platforms such as Twitter, blogs, and Pinterest where their target audience is located, businesses can expose their audience to news articles, special offers, and other valuable content.

What Marketing Channels Should Healthcare Businesses Use?

To stay relevant in a constantly changing world, businesses need to keep adapting and evolving to meet the needs of consumers. With this in mind, here are some of the prominent marketing channels that medical businesses can and should be using:

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can increase the likelihood of a consumer finding and clicking on a business’s website
• Email Marketing: Email marketing is a simple and cost-effective way to stay in touch with past, present, and potential future customers
• Social Media Marketing: With more and more people turning to online resources for healthcare information, social media marketing is a must for any healthcare business, especially one that wants to grow their popularity and engage with their audience
• Pay-Per-Click Advertising: Pay-Per-Click Advertising is one of the most effective and affordable ways to gain exposure and grow a business’s popularity quickly and efficiently

Top Tips for Successful Healthcare Marketing

Put in place a strategic marketing plan: In order to put in place an effective and efficient online marketing strategy, businesses need to first develop a plan. This plan should include the various platforms and channels that the business will use to reach the target audience. It should also include the content that will be produced and how it will be distributed. Additionally, once the plan is in place, businesses can determine the best time to post and the ideal frequency of content so as not to come off too frequently or infrequently.

The most effective way to gain trust and create credibility with future patients is through social proof. To get some credibility yourself, try using established websites such as MDShop and Google when seeking healthcare information. Additionally, by demonstrating that you are a reliable and trustworthy source of information, you can significantly increase your odds of being chosen for the next treatment.

Even though the Covid-19 pandemic has provided some benefits to healthcare providers and consumers, it has not been without its downsides. For instance, the demand for online medical resources and live chats has skyrocketed, as has the usage of social media platforms and review sites. Additionally, many people have become reliant on these platforms for their health information, potentially furthering the risk of misinformation and fake reviews.