Get your patients talking about your practice!

Rave reviews, recommendations, 5-star ratings... today’s best promotions for products and services are happening online.

In the UK, merchants and service providers have long since embraced the importance of positive online reviews as drivers for their business. Consumers have graduated from the ‘passive audience’ they used to be, to become ‘active researchers’ who go online to search for, locate and study the products and services that they need.

With 83% of households connected to the internet and 73% of adults going online every day in the UK,[i] it’s no surprise that we have caught up to and in some cases surpassed the US with our virtual consumer activity.

This can be clearly seen in two surveys conducted by Lightspeed Research in March 2011.[ii] The studies showed that 61% and 62% of respondents read online reviews for products and services in the US and the UK respectively. When it comes to comparing prices online, the UK leads with 75% compared to just 49% for the US.

In another study conducted by Beyond & Lexis that involved 1,500 UK consumers, 40% of respondents have interacted with a brand on Facebook, 47% have shared a product review in various online channels, and 43% have been prompted to purchase a product after an online interaction.[iii]

The same survey revealed that the UK consumers’ top five influential channels when looking for products and services are search results, talking to friends, product websites, review websites and magazine articles.³

The Lightspeed study also shares some interesting facts about online consumer behaviour in the country. 64% trust reviews from other consumers and 58% trust reviews from professional reviewers, while only 51% trust reviews from friends, family and colleagues,[iv] and only 17% trust reviews from a company web page.⁵

With professional and impartial ratings making more of an impact on the UK consumer, you may need to step your networking up beyond relying on your patients to tell their family and friends about your service. And if you want to post positive reviews of your practice online, you may also need to think of channels other than your own website.

One way to effectively promote customer reviews for your practice outside of your own website is to sign up for a service such as Zesty.

Zesty is an online booking system that connects patients with practices in the Central London area. Aside from online booking, the site also offers a clear 5-star review system that can help prospective patients decide which dentist to go to when presented with a list of options from their search.

The site also has an easy to use system that encourages patients to review their experience online after visiting your practice, giving you the opportunity to promote your business in a way that UK online consumers trust the most.

Zesty offers a free two-month trial when you sign up, so you can see for yourself how online booking and good reviews can help bring in more revenue.

A good review can mean the world to your business. If you haven’t done so yet, it’s time to get your patients talking about your practice today.

Simply email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.zesty.co.uk or call 0203 287 5416 for more details of our Free Trial