Q: What's your opinion of websites that claim to be able to help attract new patients through online advertising? What are the pros and cons of signing up with these ad campaigns?
A: There are many reliable companies that can help advertise your practice. Unfortunately, there are many unreliable companies also. So what is the first thing to look for?
Does the website look professional and provide contact information. If it doesn't, you might want to think twice about the company delivering on what they promise.
Are the claims being made realistic? I have yet to find a system that will increase patient volume while claiming to lower overhead and not increase the workload of the office.
Google the company and see what is being said about them. Due diligence is necessary. Check Yelp and sites such as ripoffreport.com and complaintsboard.com.
If you decide to contact the company, be sure to ask for references. Then go online and see if the company has been discussed on dental online forums. Post a question if you need clarification.
Read the fine print in the contract. Look for items such as "WE OFFER NO GUARANTEES or REFUNDS or IMPLICATION that you will receive any new patients."
Money-back guarantees may be difficult to obtain, as they are written to protect the company.
These are just some of the things you need to do to protect yourself. Educating yourself, using good judgment, and being skeptical early on are the best ways to prevent being ripped off.
Martin Jablow, D.M.D., is a practicing dentist and a self-professed technophile who lectures and blogs on a variety of technologies used in dentistry (dentechblog.blogspot.com). If you have a technology question for Dr. Jablow, e-mail it to us at [email protected].
The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.
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