How to Get Quality Testimonials For Your Website

When building a website, there are a lot of things to consider. Obviously it needs to be visually appealing and informative, but there's something else that can significantly boost the power of your website: patient test
imonials.

Having testimonials on your website is an important piece to any businesses' success - especially medical professionals. Potential patients need to hear why they should go to you and not one of the other dentists in their town.

Getting testimonials can be tricky... and getting powerful testimonials can be even more difficult. Here are some basic guidelines for garnering great testimonials.

Getting Testimonials

This doesn't need to be tricky: simply ask your patients for testimonials. But when and how? It all depends on what you find works for you. You could try asking patients to give their testimonials at the end of the procedure while still at the office. You could send a questionnaire in the mail or email. You could offer an incentive for completing the questionnaire such as a $15 Visa gift card. You may have to try a couple of methods to find the one that works best for you.

Important questions to ask

Phrasing your testimonial request is key - clients will answer exactly what you ask for, so set yourself up for success by using these key points:

• What was it like before they used your services?
• What specific results did they see from your work?
• How was it working with Dr. Smith
• How would you describe your overall experience at XYZ Practice?

It is important to set the stage for an easy transformation from answering a few short questions to publishing a powerful testimonial on your website.

Choose good success stories

As a dentist, it doesn't hurt to have testimonials on your site from clients that simply say, "Dr. Smith is my favorite dentist ever - I'll never go anywhere else!" But stories carry more weight if they focus on how your practice helped someone. "I have an intense fear of dental work, and Dr. Smith made me immediately feel comfortable and relaxed." Or "I've had bad teeth my entire life... but Dr. Smith's signature XYZ Procedure fixed all my problems, at an affordable price!" are more influential.

Ask for permission

Before you publish testimonials on your site, ask for the client's permission. Some clients may be comfortable publishing their name and contact information; some may wish to remain anonymous. Make sure that before you publish valuable information on your site, you have cleared it with the client. If your client filled out an informational postcard and sent it back to the office, email or call them to notify them of the exact wording you plan to publish on your website before doing so - someone thinking you twisted their words can end very badly.

Thank them!

Your clients are doing you a favor by giving you great feedback to publish - sure, it may help some of them if you publish their information on your webpage, but chances are this was just a kind gesture. Send everyone who gives you a testimonial a coupon off their next visit, personally call them to thank them for their kind words, or send them a nice thank you card in the mail. A written note goes a long way in our digital world - they will appreciate the time you take to write them, rather than send a canned email.

Testimonials are important to the life of your business - social proof is a proven marketing tactic, and potential clients will want to hear from people who have used your services before them. Be tactful, ask the right questions to the right people, and you're sure to have tons of great stories published on your site before long!

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