10 biggest online reputation mistakes that every provider do

Reputation is one of the biggest things that humans earn or aim for in their lives. Whether one is from the academics sector, an IT professional, a CEO of a construction firm, or a person from a healthcare background, everyone has a keen insight into their reputation. The reputation is even more of a thing to preserve for companies, whose business totally depends on it, which brings in credibility and customers.

Though the reputation in the physical world and the preservation of the same is extremely important, it is the online reputation that has largely come into prominence today. Ever since the emergence of the internet and the digital presence of the companies came into being, the focus on the online presence of the companies, much like that of the individuals, increased. Now, the reputation of the companies is tied intricately tied to their growth and success so much so that even taking a subtle risk of the online reputation is a thing of huge debates and discussions internally for them. Also, this is the sole reason why all that ruckus occurs when a company starts getting smeared on social media and how the company's lead management and risk management entities rush in to defend the company against them and their likes.

The same thing occurs in the healthcare department too, where everyone, primarily the. medical providers and the dental providers needs to stay aware of their online reputation and boost it all along the time. However, at the same time, they also need to avoid running into online reputation mistakes too for their good.

Why is preserving the online reputation of medical and dental providers so important?

As per the Journal of Healthcare Management, 90% of the people or patients confirmed that the reputation of the healthcare providers is one of the top factors that influenced the selection of the medical or dental providers.

The online reputation mistakes now can cost the providers much in terms of sustenance, revenue, and growth. Though repairing the online reputation mistakes might sound tough, they can also be repaired, but they require a significant amount of time and money. However, it is always important to note that there are some such missteps in terms of online reputation that are almost irreparable if the providers step that way. Nonetheless, if the medical and dental providers that are in business today, are aware of the most prominent mistakes that their predecessors have committed, their peers or rivals or they are likely to commit, which might have a significant effect on their business and reputation, then they can certainly rest assured.

Modern survey results indicate that more than 74% of the patients find online reviews really important when deciding to go with a particular medical or dental provider. Also, Software Advice noted that 71% of the patients start searching for doctors by reading online reviews about them.

The online reviews have certainly been much of a deciding factor lately for the patients and their relations before they decide to go for a particular provider. On top of that, it is the selection process of the patients and others that have also changed quite a bit. The emergence of online reviews and ratings online has largely emboldened the choice-making virtue of the patients. This can be justified by the latest survey reports that mentioned that nearly 69% of the patients are not ready to go for a dental or a medical provider that has a lower than 4.0 rating out of 5 stars.

All of these choices would, therefore, be heavily influenced by the ratings that the medical and dental providers earn for themselves with the help of good and quality services at affordable prices and not committing any basic online reputation mistakes. So, here's the section about the healthcare provider mistakes.

Top 10 Biggest Online Reputation Mistakes that all of the Medical and Dental Providers do and How to Avoid Them!

If you are now wondering about the online reputation of your medical/dental practice or provider and you want that your provider stays clear of any major mistakes reputation-wise, then here we bring you some of the most common mistakes that are seen on behalf of most of the medical and dental providers. Check them out:

Failed profiles with incomplete information

Whether it is for social media or review websites and apps, profiles take the central stage for everyone. For the online reviews and to make them organized, we now have online feedback and review websites and portals, which keep online reviews of companies and individuals with them for future reference. Here, it is important for the companies to be listed, where they need to have their profiles so that they can receive and reviews the feedback and reviews they receive. Though such profiles and websites are like a double-edged sword for the providers, they need to embrace them anyway and look to improve the reviews they receive.

Here, an incomplete profile means a massacre really because even if you are on the site, people might mistake you for some other company, or simply ignore you just like any other spammer. Therefore, you always need to complete your profile on the reviews websites/apps and try to improve your profile as well as the reviews you receive.

Not being aware of the review sites

Review websites, online portals, or review apps are some of the primary places where patients quickly hop in to look for a particular medical/dental provider today. However, if you are not aware of any such sites, then you are simply a step backward them your rivals and the top players in the industry. So, it is evident to be alert about your online reputation and aware of all of the online review portals and sites that can gain you both good and bad reviews and influence your online reputation. You can also contact GrowPractice to benefit your online reputation with the fast online patient and review services that it brings for medical and dental service providers along with a range of other medical office software and systems.

Failing to ask the patient for reviews

Not asking the patients for their reviews is something that you should not follow in today's times. Where advertising is the way to keep on the focus on the brands and products, and promotion and reputation hold the key to successful businesses, the patients should always be asked for their kind reviews. These reviews when gathered from the patients are efficient both for the patients and the providers. Asking for patient reviews is not always convenient or the thing that you love to do. If you feel similarly, then rather than upsetting your customers, you can simply reach the patients via GrowPractice's improved patient feedback and review facilities online.

Ignoring irate patients' complaints

Customers/patients are central to healthcare providers. However, they do not always remain as smiling as we might expect them to be. Services not received at proper times, poor services, bad behavior, increased wait times, or the reducing quality of service can make patients tremendously irate. Now, you need to deal with these patients and their complaints dearly because if you step into any wrongs here, things can take ugly turns.

Not staying active and not replying

Staying active on social media and review sites is mandatory today for every other provider, including both medical and dental providers. The review sites and portals and the social media is the base of the online presence and online reputation of the businesses of the present era, and if they are not attended to, then the businesses or providers would soon be toppled over.

Ignoring the social media

Out of 97% of the providers who used electronic devices, 87.9% mentioned that they used social media. This social media is not only an efficient tool for communication but a powerful tool indeed for the companies and/or providers to help them stay digitally strong. Social media popularity surely counts a lot these days, and this is why medical and dental providers should not avoid social media.

Using automatic responses

Using digital devices and software systems in the medical industry has been a norm today, but automatic responses are something that the providers strictly need to stay clear of. While looking at the pouring online reviews, many providers often get intimidated, which also leads them to automate their responses to the comments and reviews. Having a humane touch here is more than significant while dealing with the patient reviews because:

• The patient reviews come from their hearts.

• The patients eagerly look forward to the replies

• The patients also wait for the changes that the providers are bringing after negative reviews

Opting for automated reviews, on the other hand, can disappoint the patients, make them feel devalued, lose the credibility of the providers, and in the worst cases, can even let them switch to other providers.

Indulging in faking reviews

One more thing that many providers and companies are trying to do to save their dying reputation or boost their reputation is faking reviews. Though fake reviews and comments might seem to be encouraging, and thrilling in the initial phases, such things are better not carried forward. Most of the review sites, portals, and social media platforms are taking strict action against those who are faking reviews, which can even lead to deactivating their accounts or legal actions pressed against them.

Not bringing up the action taken

Bad reviews are a part and parcel of the profession now regardless of whatever industry you belong from. However, it is the action taken after receiving a bad review that matters greatly. Yes, the patients necessarily wait for the actions taken in response to their bad reviews and if they are good, then he/she might even come back to the same provider the next time. Furthermore, necessary probes and actions that are taken after receiving negative reviews also help the providers in several ways, thereby furthering their growth.

Not reaching up to experts to deal with negative reviews

Contacting the experts of the trade is urgent when it comes to anything including patient feedback and reviews, and the proper handling of them. Not reaching the professionals at the right time might slacken the growth or wreak havoc on the online reputation of the providers. Contacting GrowPractice should serve as an immediate remedy if you are associated with a dental or medical provider, and you want to capitalize on the online feedback and reviews.

How is GrowPractice Helping Improve Online Reputation for Medical and Dental Providers?

GrowPractice is one of the most trusted medical office software solution providers that brings an array of medical office, patient, and practice management software solutions to help medical and dental providers, including practices stay at the top of their game. Along with the digital software that GrowPractice brings them to ease patient and practice management and minimize errors and hassles, it also offers convenient facilities for receiving patient feedback and online reviews. Some of the major highlights of the GrowPractice online patient feedback and reviews for the medical and dental practices are:

• It offers fast and efficient online patient reviews

• Helps increase patient retention

• Helps attract new patients

• Helps monitor patients' negative reviews

• Maximizes patient engagement

• Helps value the patients

• Enhance the patient experience

With this being said, it is also important to note that GrowPractice has reduced 85% of the negative reviews of the practices and has helped medical and dental providers increase their positive reviews by 65%. So, why don't you give it a try to up your game?