Are Google Ads A Good Option For Your Dental Practice?

Determining where to invest your limited marketing budget can be challenging. You want more new patients, but they need to be quality new patients. Should you invest in SEO for the long-game strategy, would direct mail help you stand out more in a cluttered digital world, or should you get into the Google Ads game and compete alongside everyone else?

How do you know if Google Ads would work for your practice? There are a few key questions that will help you answer that question.

Are patients searching for your services?

The simple answer is yes. The search term “dentist near me” is a money-maker. It’s the most widely used search for dentistry – but you do want to complete comprehensive research on the terms that are relevant to your practice and your audience before implementing. But guaranteed, patients are searching for dental services around your practice and you could be catching their eye.

If the answer here is a resounding yes for you – schedule a consultation to discuss Google Ads for dentists today.

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Are competitors taking patients?

Have patients come in and had teeth whitening or another service with a different practitioner? Have people mentioned that other dental offices are more prominent in your community? Has your new patient flow declined? Go ahead and search for dentist near me and see who you’re up against and the search terms they’re using. If those are services that you want to be known for, they’re demonstrating that there is opportunity.

Do the numbers make sense?

On average, a single new dental patient contributes close to $2,000 in first-year production. If you invest $2,000 in Google Ads, achieve a cost per click around $10, and convert three percent, you add six new patients. That equals an added production value of $12,000. The numbers make sense. But do temper your expectations. Dollars spent this month mean patients booked next month and case acceptance beyond that. It also takes time to warm up a campaign and drive a steady flow, so you will want to plan on a consistent long-term campaign.

Do you have the capacity to take on more new patients?

That may seem like a crazy question, but to be successful at Google Ads you need to have available new patient appointments within a week or so. To be successful at adding new patients, in general, means you need to have appointment availability. Also, check your online scheduler. When is the first new patient appointment showing today? I just went into one of our clients who is struggling to generate new patients, and even though they want more new patients, the first new patient appointment available is a month from now, at 3:00 pm. Ugh. New patients aren’t that patient!

Would you have advertised in the Yellow Pages?

LOL – I know, it’s a crazy question! But dentists used to advertise heavily in the Yellow Pages. They were one of our biggest competitors for the marketing dollar when we started out—and even up to a dozen years ago. Today, Google is today’s Yellow Pages. It’s where people go to find the services they want in their area. So, if you “probably would have” used YP in the “old days”, then you should be on Google. 😊

Can you invest dollars to test the waters?

It goes back to your numbers. To be successful and grow, a dental office needs a steady flow of quality new patients. Successful dental practices can and should invest in new patient marketing. Google Ads really don’t take a huge financial commitment. You can even jump into your own Google Ads account and use their process, but it’s easier to use an expert to manage your campaigns, bids and budgets, optimizations, troubleshooting, and all the daily and monthly tasks to ensure you achieve the results you want.

Do we have lots of positive five star Google reviews?

Having a good amount of 4.8 – 4.9 star Google reviews makes a difference. And if you’re getting a steady flow of new reviews at a pace of two to three each week, you’re set up for significantly improved success with a Google Ads campaign.

Would Google Ads PLUS target direct mail work better?

A complete, multi-channel campaign always works to build more awareness and attract new patients to your practice. It makes sure your practice is visible everywhere your patients are. Precisely targeted neighborhood newsletters set you apart, and they also get to patients before search. That means you proactively reach your audience when they’re not even thinking about dentistry. Google Ads catch people at search – direct mail will trigger more people to be interested over just waiting for search patients.

Need help?

Let us take you step by step through the development of a targeted marketing strategy that will ensure you get the quality new patients you want. Get in touch now!