How To Attract Patients With Online Reviews

Having positive online reviews for your eye care practice is not only key to attracting new patients, it is also an important ranking factor for optimizing your practice’s digital real estate. 

The 2024 Local Consumer Review Survey found that 75% of consumers always or regularly read online reviews when browsing for local businesses. Additionally, 81% of consumers evaluate local businesses via Google reviews, over other sites with reviews. Given these astounding metrics, the evidence supporting the power of positive reviews for your optometry practice is overwhelming. Do not let this golden opportunity pass you by!

A very important point to note: Google’s policy does not allow merchants to, “offer incentives – such as payment, discounts, free goods and/or services - in exchange for posting any review or revision or removal of a negative review.” Going against Google’s rules could result in your Google Business Profile being suspended or terminated. 

5 Ways To Garner Reviews For Your Eye Care Practice

Online reviews are clearly important, however, they rarely occur organically. So, the key question is: how can you encourage your patients to leave reviews? 

The answer: by taking the guesswork out of the process and providing direct links to leave reviews! Below are four top methods you can implement to prompt your patients to write reviews sharing their story about the outstanding service you and your team provide.

The Local Consumer Review Survey found these methods are most likely to prompt a review:

• 32% Using Email To Request 
  Autoresponder Emails: Thanking patients after their appointment or purchase is an important step —and you can accomplish two things in one email by also asking them for feedback about their experience! Include a direct link to leave a review to make it as convenient as possible, increasing the likelihood of response. There are many EHR-integrated companies who offer this service — it’s easy to set up, with little to no maintenance required. 
   
• 28% Request In Person
  Display a QR code in office: To capture the patient experience while it is fresh, create a sign with a QR code (or a tap sign) that takes the user to your Google Business Profile. Signs should be placed where the patient will naturally sit or stand during their visit — at the reception desk, in a waiting room, in an exam room, or on a table in the dispensary. The sign can be a simple short message: ‘Love your experience at XYZ Eyecare? We would appreciate your Google review to help our business grow!”. 
   
• 26% Request In An SMS Text Message
  After-appointment SMS message: Many CRM services that offer auto-emails for appointment confirmations, recall notifications and product notifications also offer SMS text messaging for patients who have provided you with a cell phone number. Like ‘Thank You’ emails after an appointment, the text message provides a link to tap that takes them to your Google Business Profile where they may leave a review. This is a very effective method for receiving reviews, as 95% of text messages are read and responded to within 3 minutes of being received.
   
• 25% Request On A Receipt Or Invoice
  Add a link on digital receipts and a QR Code on printed: Use the same QR Code and message you utilize for the in-office sign and insert them on the invoice template in your EHR — every invoice printed will be one snap away from your reviews.
  
  If your practice takes POS payments that offer digital receipts sent by email or text message, modify your digital receipt template to include a short message and link to your Google Business Profile.

Last But Not Least: Directly Ask The Patient
There is something to be said about striking while the iron is hot. While that patient in the chair is raving about how great your staff is, simply let them know that you appreciate the feedback, and it would mean a lot if they would express their sentiments in an online review. You can then tell/show them how easy it is with the QR Code you have available to scan and explain that their review can have a real impact on helping the practice grow.

The easier you make it, the more likely your patients are to complete an online review. Keep in mind that the likelihood of them leaving a review only decreases with time, so make sure to present the ask during or immediately after their appointment or purchase.

The above ideas are a few of many ways to encourage patients to leave reviews for your practice. For the best possible results, we recommend partnering with an optometry marketing expert that can help you develop a robust, thorough and creative plan to garner reviews. PECAA’s Marketing Business Advisor, Shelby Wade, can help provide advice for PECAA Max members at no additional cost! Already a member? Book a meeting with Shelby here to get started. Not a PECAA Max Member? Contact us to learn how PECAA can help your practice thrive.