When someone in your community is looking for a chiropractor, they might perform an online search, ask a friend for a recommendation, or browse a professional directory. From there, they typically want to learn a little about the practice and find out how to schedule an appointment.
But what happens when the information they find is outdated? Maybe your office moved last year, your hours have changed, or an old phone number is still floating around online. These details can make it harder for prospective patients to connect with your practice, even when they’re interested in the care you provide.
Keeping your online presence up to date is a relatively simple way to help people find and contact your office. Here are five places worth checking.
1. Google Search and Maps: What Comes Up When Someone Searches for Your Practice?
For many people looking for a local chiropractor, Google is a natural starting point. Someone might search for “chiropractor near me” or “chiropractor in Tacoma” and review the businesses that appear in Google Search and Maps.
Your Google Business Profile helps determine what people see when they come across your office. It can display your location, hours, website, phone number, photos, and other information about your services.
Start by searching for your practice on Google and reviewing the information displayed. Pay particular attention to your business category, contact details, and office hours, including any upcoming holiday closures. If you’ve recently moved or changed your website, make sure those updates are reflected in your profile.
Photos are worth reviewing, too. Current images of your office exterior can help first-time visitors recognize the building, while interior photos give them a sense of the space before they arrive.
According to Google’s guidance on local search rankings, businesses with complete and accurate information are more likely to appear in relevant local search results. If you haven’t claimed or verified your Business Profile, that’s another worthwhile step.
2. WSCA’s Find a Chiropractor Directory: Is Your Listing Current?
The WSCA offers a Find a Chiropractor directory that helps people looking for chiropractic care connect with professionals across the state. A directory listing is also one of the benefits of becoming a WSCA member.
If you are a member already, when was the last time you checked your listing?
It’s worth searching for yourself in the directory to see how your information appears to prospective patients. Confirm that your practice location and contact details are correct, and review any other information included in your profile. Keep in mind, the address in your WSCA listing is the default address the WSCA has on file for you. Make sure your default address is your office and not your home.
This is especially worthwhile if you’ve changed offices, joined a different practice, or updated your business information since becoming a member. Even a small change, such as a new website address, can affect someone’s ability to reach you.
WSCA members can log in to their member account to review and make any necessary updates to their directory listing. Taking a few minutes to maintain your profile helps ensure that people using this resource can find accurate information about your practice.
3. Your Practice Website: Does It Make Taking the Next Step Easy?
Your website is often where prospective patients go to learn more about your office before making an appointment. Once they arrive, they should be able to find the information they need without searching through multiple pages.
Try opening your website on your phone and approaching it as someone who has never visited your practice. Is your phone number easy to find and tap to call? Can visitors quickly locate your office or request an appointment? Does your website explain the services you offer in language someone outside the chiropractic profession can understand? Are bios accurate and up to date?
Think about the questions new patients commonly ask your front desk. They may want to know whether you accept their insurance, what to expect during an initial appointment, or whether your office treats the type of concern they’re experiencing. Addressing these questions on your website can help people decide whether to contact you.
Your website should also identify the communities you serve. Including your city and service area naturally in your page content helps search engines understand where your business operates.
4. Other Online Directories: Is Your Practice Information Consistent?
Your WSCA listing and Google Business Profile are good starting points, but patients may also encounter your information elsewhere online.
For example, someone looking for a chiropractor who accepts their insurance might begin with their health plan’s provider directory. Others may use Apple Maps, Bing Places, or healthcare-specific websites to compare nearby offices.
Search for your name and your practice’s name to see which listings appear. Look for incorrect information, duplicate profiles, and listings associated with previous locations. If you participate in insurance networks, periodically check that their provider directories reflect your current office information and participation status.
5. Online Reviews: What Do Patients See Before Contacting You?
Online reviews can play a role in how prospective patients evaluate local chiropractic practices. Someone who finds your office through an online search may read a few reviews before deciding whether to visit your website or call.
Make a habit of checking reviews on Google and other platforms where your practice appears. Pay attention to recurring feedback about the patient experience and consider whether there are opportunities to improve how your office communicates or operates.
You can also make it easier for patients who wish to share their experiences to leave honest reviews. Google allows businesses to share a review link or QR code, although its review policies prohibit offering incentives in exchange for reviews.
For chiropractors, responding to reviews requires particular care because of patient privacy obligations. Even when someone discusses their treatment publicly, your response should avoid confirming their patient status or disclosing information about their care. A brief, professional response that invites the reviewer to contact your office privately can acknowledge feedback while protecting patient information.
Make It a Habit to Check Your Practice’s Online Information
Consider adding a quarterly reminder to search for your practice as a prospective patient would. Review the results, look for outdated information or broken links, and make sure people can easily find and contact your office. A few minutes of regular upkeep can help prevent small oversights from becoming missed opportunities to connect with new patients.
Help Patients Find You Through the WSCA
Your WSCA membership includes a listing in the Find a Chiropractor directory, giving people across Washington another way to connect with your practice. Log in to your WSCA member account to review your directory listing and update any information that has changed.