If you own or help manage a medical office, chances are you’re constantly searching for ideas to help you attract and retain patients. You’re probably dealing with competition from neighboring offices, which can exacerbate the problem. If you market your location well, there may be other reasons why prospective clients aren’t scheduling appointments with your office. To help boost your clientele, try the ideas on this list to help bring more customers to your business.

Consider Upgrading Your Answering Service

When you upgrade to a virtual answering service, you can make huge strides in maintaining good report with current patients while also attracting new ones. An answering service ensures that customers receive the attention they desire by providing either an automated or live response 24 hours a day. It also cuts back on frustrating wait times while allowing people to schedule appointments, ask questions and request prescription refills any time that is convenient for them. In addition, it can save on personnel costs by eliminating the need to hire additional receptionists as your office grows.

Give Your Office a Makeover

First impressions make a huge difference, especially in the medical field. If your waiting room or patient rooms are old and outdated, a quick refresh can help attract new patients. A fresh coat of paint, updated furniture, tasteful artwork and live plants can help make your office feel inviting without blowing your budget. Post pictures of your newly-renovated space online so people can have a sense of what to expect when they walk through the door for the first time.

Use Technology to Reach Out to Patients

In today’s society, almost everyone wants to connect instantly. There are many ways you can reach out to your patients to help them feel important while encouraging them to prioritize their health. Text message systems can confirm appointments and send out reminders to pick up a prescription, schedule a follow-up visit or check on test results.

Using email or online portals to access medical records is another way to communicate with patients while giving them the opportunity to stay connected with you. Consider equipping your website with the tools to allow patients to schedule a new appointment, fill out important forms and send messages to a doctor or nurse on staff.

These simple investments can be powerful upgrades that can help attract new patients to your medical office. By making it easy to get in touch and creating a welcoming environment, you can help your office stand out among the competition and grow your clientele.