In the digital age, many people are turning to the internet to find the help they need. From researching a therapist and reading reviews to setting up online appointments.
Whether you provide online therapy services or not, it’s crucial for therapists to create a trusting online presence to ensure their patients feel comfortable and secure.
In this blog, we’ll explore the various ways therapists can build trust online, from utilizing social media to creating a professional website. We hope you find the information helpful in building trust online.
#1. Build a professional, secure website
Your therapist website is often the first impression potential patients will have of you and your practice. As such, it’s important to create the right first impression with a great website that builds trust with your visitors.
Here are a few ways to build trust with your website:
- Choose a simple design – Your website should be easy to navigate and understand. Avoid clutter and complex designs that can be confusing for visitors. A simple design will help build trust and show that you’re professional and organized.
- Include testimonials – Including testimonials from past patients is a great way to build trust with potential patients. Be sure to only use testimonials that are positive and relevant to your practice.
- Make sure your website is secure – Your website should have a secure https:// address and include security features like an SSL certificate. This will help build trust with visitors and show that you take their privacy and security seriously.
#2. Use social media wisely
Social media can be a great way to connect with potential patients and build trust with your online presence. When used wisely, social media can help you build a positive reputation and establish yourself as an expert in your field.
Here are a few ways to use social media to build trust:
- Be active and engaging – Post regularly and interact with your followers to show that you’re active on social media. This will help build trust and show that you’re invested in your online presence.
- Be transparent – Be open and honest with your followers. Don’t try to hide anything or make things up. Transparency will help build trust with your followers.
- Be professional – Avoid posting anything that could be seen as unprofessional. This includes things like profanity, political posts, and personal photos.
#3. Get more online reviews
Online reviews are a great way to build trust with potential patients. When potential patients see that you have positive reviews, they’ll be more likely to trust you and your therapy practice.
Here are a few ways to get more online reviews:
- Ask your patients – The best way to get more reviews is to simply ask your patients. After their appointment, send them an email or text message asking them to leave a review.
- Embed a reviews widget on your website – You can also embed a reviews widget on your website. This will show potential patients that you have positive reviews and help build trust.
- Claim your listings on review sites – Make sure you claim your listings on popular review sites like Google, Top Rated Local® and Healthgrades. This will help you control your online reputation and ensure that potential patients see positive reviews.
#4. Invest in content marketing
Content marketing is a great way to build trust with potential patients. By creating blog posts, infographics, videos and other types of content, you can establish yourself as an expert in your field and build trust with potential patients.
Here are a few ways to use content marketing to build trust:
- Create high-quality content – When creating content, it’s important to focus on quality over quantity. Write blog posts that are well-researched and informative. Create videos that are professional and engaging.
- Share your content – Once you create great content, be sure to share it on your social media channels and website. This will help potential patients find your content and start to build trust with you.
- Use relevant keywords – When creating content, be sure to use relevant keywords. This will help your content rank higher in search engines and make it more likely to be seen by potential patients.
#5. Manage your local listings
Local listings are important for both local therapist SEO and building trust with potential patients. When potential patients search for therapists in their area, your practice should appear in the search results, whether that’s on Google or a local directory, like Top Rated Local.
Here are a few ways to manage your local listings:
- Claim your listings – The first step is to claim your listings on popular local directories, sites and apps. This will help you control your online reputation and ensure that potential patients see accurate information about your practice.
- Update your listings – Once you claim your listings, be sure to keep them up-to-date. This includes things like your hours of operation, address and contact information.
- Encourage reviews – As we mentioned before, online reviews are a great way to build trust with potential patients. Be sure to encourage your patients to leave reviews on your local listings.
#6. Stay connected with email and text
Email and text are great ways to stay connected with potential patients and build trust with your online presence. By sending regular updates and reminders, you can show potential patients that you’re invested in their care and build trust in your therapy practice.
Here are a few ways to use email and text to build trust:
- Send appointment reminders – Appointment reminders are a great way to stay connected with patients and ensure that they don’t forget their appointment. This will help build trust and show that you care about your patients.
- Send follow-up messages – After an appointment, send your patients a follow-up message. This can be a simple message to check in and see how they’re doing.
- Send out mental health tips and other helpful information – Sharing mental health tips and other helpful information is a great way to build trust with potential patients. By sending out regular updates, you can establish yourself as an expert in your field.
Building trust with potential patients is essential for any therapist. By utilizing the tips and strategies above, you can build trust with your online presence and ensure that potential patients feel comfortable and secure.
The Marketing 360® all-in-one therapist marketing platform gives you everything you need to build a trusted presence for your practice online. Plus, you can build a convertible website, master SEO and content marketing, connect with your community on social media and so much more — all from one place.
