Implementing OnlineAppointments is an excellent way to reach new patients, but unless you inform patients that the ability to book appointments online is available, then uptake may be slow. Luckily there are a few simple and easy to implement methods for driving patients to book online, freeing up front desk staff to concentrate on more important matters than answering phones, and ensuring that the bookings flow smoothly.
Book Appointment Button Placement
Every page that a patient is likely to look at - services or treatment types, locations, specialties and the like should feature a MyHealth1st BookNow button. If your website features your practice details and phone number prominently on each page, Placing a BookNow button in a prominent position above the phone number is likely to drive patients to book digitally rather than call.
Placing the button at the top of the page rather than at the bottom also means that a patient is more likely to see the button and click, as not everyone is likely to scroll all the way down to the bottom of a page. That said, having a BookNow button at the top and bottom of a page maximises exposure.
Note that the MyHealth1st team can provide you with assistance in adding these buttons to your website. This service is typically provided at no cost. Alternatively, we can provide the details on installing a MyHealth1st BookNow button to your website developer.
Change Your Voice Messages
Around 60% of healthcare bookings are made after hours, so if patients don’t know that you have online bookings available, they may call your practice. Changing your voicemail message to drive patients to your website and online booking is one of the key ways to let patients, both new and existing, to start booking online.
Changing your hold message may also be an effective method of driving patients to book online. Nobody likes to be kept on hold, and many people also get frustrated being told that their call matters. Having a hold message telling patients that rather than having to wait on the phone they can go to your website to book an appointment online will not only direct them to a faster, less frustrating method of booking an appointment, it will also free up the phones for the patients determined to book via phone.
Sample voice messages and example voice message scripts can be downloaded by clicking here .
SMS and Email Reminders
Another effective method of getting the message about online bookings out is to use SMS or Email campaigns. MyHealth1st has systems that make creating bulk communications a breeze. EasyRecalls enables your practice to inform all existing patients of online booking availability in a few easy steps, and even include a direct link to your booking page to further streamline the process.
