Digital platforms have become an essential tool in veterinary marketing. Pet owners increasingly use social media, search engines, and online reviews to choose their veterinary care providers, so clinics must maintain an online presence to attract and engage clients.
For most veterinary teams, the day-to-day chaos leaves little time for creating and executing marketing campaigns. Fortunately, modern veterinary software platforms such as Provet Cloud can simplify and automate marketing processes so teams reap maximum benefits with minimum effort. Here’s a look at how cloud-based software can help your team.
Key software features for marketing success
Veterinary digital marketing requires teams to cast a broad net, including social media, web channels, direct-to-client digital communications, and client feedback channels. Managing these tasks is a full-time job, but small and independent teams may not have the staffing or finances to hire a dedicated marketing manager.
Feature-rich practice management software can reduce the marketing workload on your busy team. Here are the most helpful elements of cloud-based systems:
1. Online scheduling
Online appointment scheduling allows pet owners to book during off-hours, offering the same convenience they expect from human healthcare providers. Providing this feature sets you apart from other hospitals and may be why a busy pet owner chooses your practice over another. Online booking can also drastically reduce your team's phone time. One clinic featured in an AVMA article noted a 30% reduction in call volume after implementing online scheduling, with 35% of clients booking after hours.
2. Reviews and feedback
Cloud-based software with integrated review management platforms can aggregate online reviews from multiple websites and platforms. These reports allow your team to clearly evaluate trends and respond to reviews consistently, demonstrating to readers a commitment to excellent client care. You can also set up post-visit emails with simple client surveys to obtain valuable feedback in a way that’s more comfortable for many veterinary clients.
3. Automation
Automation, which is a central feature in cloud-based systems, can be used in various marketing capacities. Teams can create educational or marketing content, such as newsletters or blog posts, and then publish them on the practice website, deliver them directly to client inboxes, or push them to a client portal. Rather than struggling to keep up with regular posts and campaigns, practices can schedule content in advance, ensuring consistent outreach without added stress.
4. Integration
Many companies develop communication, marketing, and technology platforms to solve veterinary hospital problems. However, toggling back and forth between multiple software systems and screens leaves room for error. Cloud-based software allows third-party application integration so you can use your favorite industry tools without leaving the main screen. Send out mass client marketing materials, such as newsletters, updates, and promotions, with only a few clicks.
Marketing and client relationships
Digital marketing increases your hospital’s ability to attract new clients and can also help you cultivate stronger, longer-lasting connections with current clients. Digital communications, whether automated or personalized, keep clients in close contact with the veterinary team so they become engaged partners in their pet’s health.
Soliciting feedback from new and long-standing clients also contributes to relationship-building. When you use feedback to make meaningful changes, clients feel valued and heard and are likely to share more in the future.
The right veterinary software can help veterinary hospital leadership understand how marketing impacts client relationships and behavior. Metrics and reports generated by your PIMS or secondary integrated apps can help you estimate ROI on digital marketing and refine your strategy accordingly.
Pet-owner relationships can also drive organic word-of-mouth marketing. Clients who consistently have good clinic experiences are more likely to recommend your services. Modern PIMS systems contribute to positive veterinary visits by streamlining care, offering remote telehealth options, and allowing team members to focus on the person in front of them.
Digital marketing for a competitive edge
In the age of corporate consolidation, independent practices must compete with larger companies for talent and clients. However, smaller entities with fewer administrative layers are often more nimble and more creative in marketing efforts, and can produce unique online content relatively quickly. Embracing digital marketing strategies can give teams a leg up on the competition and help practices ensure financial sustainability.
Key takeaways
- Modern veterinary software simplifies marketing and allows teams to maintain an effective digital presence with minimal time and effort.
- Cloud-based platforms improve the client experience, helping teams forge resilient and trusting client relationships, which can lead to organic word-of-mouth marketing.
- Digital marketing helps level the playing field by giving smaller veterinary clinics and companies a competitive edge, attracting new clients, and ensuring financial sustainability.
Simplify marketing with Provet Cloud
Digital marketing is a valuable tool that helps veterinary hospitals stay relevant and maintain a solid client base, but your practice may not have time to manage a marketing calendar or create campaigns. Provet Cloud’s built-in features and available integrations reduce the time and energy needed to successfully market your clinic.
To learn more about the cloud-based revolution, set up a demo with our team.
