In this episode of the Dental Flow Podcast, host Benjamin Suggs discusses the importance of online reviews for dental practices. He shares data from Bright Local and the Spiegel Research Center that highlights the impact of reviews on consumer decision-making. Suggs emphasizes the need for dental practices to actively solicit and respond to reviews, as well as the importance of having reviews displayed on their website. He also addresses the question of whether a perfect five-star rating is too good to be true and provides strategies for responding to negative reviews.

Takeaways

Online reviews are incredibly important for dental practices and can significantly impact conversion rates and search engine optimization.
91% of people read online reviews before making a decision, and 88% of consumers would use a business that responds to its reviews.
Displaying reviews on a website can increase conversion rates by 270%.
The higher the price of a product or service, the more impact reviews have.
A perfect five-star rating may be viewed as too good to be true, and a rating in the 4.7 range may be more authentic.
It is important to respond to negative reviews, either by addressing the issue and offering a resolution or by politely questioning the validity of the review.
HIPAA compliance should be maintained when responding to reviews.
Engaging in a back-and-forth with reviewers is not necessary, as most reviewers do not respond to responses.

Sound Bites

"91% of people read online reviews before making a decision."
"88% of consumers would use a business that responds to its reviews."
"Displaying reviews on your website can increase conversion by 270%."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview
05:15 The Importance of Online Reviews
10:27 Data on the Impact of Online Reviews
20:27 Strategies for Responding to Negative Reviews
29:33 Conclusion

For 12+ years, Flow New Patient Marketing has had a simple mission… to bring you as many quality new patients as possible. We believe in ensuring that when a potential patient needs a provider, you are the one they find, choose, and set an appointment with. We Get You More *Profitable* New Patients!

• No long-term contracts.
• We are a family-owned, husband-and-wife team.
• Our clients average an 8X return on investment.
• 5-star reviewed.

Follow us on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Google Business Profile

As a dentist nearing retirement, figuring out how to maximize the value of your dental practice can be quite daunting. It's natural to worry about potentially leaving money on the table or making costly mistakes during the transition. The process involves many critical decisions, from evaluating the worth of your practice to planning for a smooth handover. These concerns can make the transition period feel overwhelming as you strive to secure your financial future.

In this episode, guest Ryan LaPrad, an experienced dental practice broker from DDS Match South, explores the important but often intimidating process of dental practice transitions and shares key insights every dentist should consider whether buying or selling a practice. He details the complexities of negotiating with corporate groups and how working with a specialist can significantly impact the financial outcome. Learn how Ryan got an additional $5MM in value for one seller in his practice sale!

Ryan also offers a glimpse into market trends and strategies for matching buyers and sellers.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
3:53 What Should You Know About Non-Compete Agreements in Dental Practice Sales?
8:24 What Are the Differences Between Individual and Corporate Buyers in Dental Practice Transitions?
13:46 The Risks and Benefits of Selling Dental Practices to DSOs
18:26 Why Is Preparation Important When Selling Dental Practices?
23:10 Matching young dentists with practices for sale in the southeast
28:11 What Should You Consider When Buying or Selling Dental Practices, Especially in Rural Areas?

RESOURCES/LINKS MENTIONED
Website: https://ddsmatchsouth.com/
Google: https://g.co/kgs/S1XSejQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ddsmatch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ddsmatch.south/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/ddsmatchsouth/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ddsmatchsouth/

CONNECT WITH US
Learn more about improving dental practice marketing on Flow.
Benjamin Suggs on LinkedIn

For 12+ years, Flow New Patient Marketing has had a simple mission… to bring you as many quality new patients as possible. We believe in ensuring that when a potential patient needs a provider, you are the one they find, choose, and set an appointment with. We Get You More *Profitable* New Patients!

• No long-term contracts.
• We are a family-owned, husband-and-wife team.
• Our clients average an 8X return on investment.
• 5-star reviewed.

Follow us on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Google Business Profile

It's common to experience challenges when starting a new dental practice, especially in attracting new patients. The initial frustration with slow marketing results can be disheartening, but it's important to remember that building a patient base often takes time. You might find that refining your approach and exploring different marketing avenues can gradually improve your situation. Patience and persistence are crucial as you continue to develop your practice and connect with potential patients.

In this episode, Benjamin Suggs addresses common problems faced by startup dentists. He shares the story of a dentist in Maryland who is experiencing a lack of online traffic and patient bookings despite spending $12,000 on a website and SEO package from a well-known marketing company. However, the company failed to implement critical tactics like running Google ads that could have driven immediate results. Benjamin asks - how can you expect to succeed in those crucial first months without a strategy to get patients in the door right away?

He also highlights the importance of paid digital advertising over solely relying on organic search engine optimization for new practices.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
0:46 Are SEO and ads both needed for dental startups?
1:16 Importance of running Google ads specifically for dental startups
1:37Common issues with dental marketing
3:09 What are the differences between SEO and paid ads?
06:01 Differences between organic SEO and PPC ads
10:03 Should other platforms beyond Google also be used to advertise?

RESOURCES/LINKS MENTIONED

CONNECT WITH US

Learn more about improving dental practice marketing on Flow.

Benjamin Suggs on LinkedIn

Client Spotlight: Dentistry in Redfern Website and Google Business Profile

For 12+ years, Flow New Patient Marketing has had a simple mission… to bring you as many quality new patients as possible. We believe in ensuring that when a potential patient needs a provider, you are the one they find, choose, and set an appointment with. We Get You More *Profitable* New Patients!

• No long-term contracts.
• We are a family-owned, husband-and-wife team.
• Our clients average an 8X return on investment.
• 5-star reviewed.

Follow us on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Google Business Profile