How Doctors and Clinics Can Build a Strong Online Reputation

How Doctors and Clinics Can Build a Strong Online Reputation

Doctors used to be able to rely on word-of-mouth referrals or excellence in education and training. While a good reputation and a framed diploma still go a long way, many patients now search online when they need to find a doctor. They read reviews, compare physicians, and base their decision on data and digital results. 

For healthcare professionals, including doctors and surgeons, this shift can be particularly challenging. However, it also presents an opportunity to manage your online reputation proactively. 

Whether you’re a solo plastic surgeon, part of a group practice, or running a growing healthcare network, your success is linked to how your professional image appears online. In this guide, we’ll break down the best practices for online reputation management in the medical industry and provide practical applications for using it to build trust, attract new patients, and grow your healthcare practice.

Does online reputation really matter?

You see it all the time when you’re online, checking out 5-star reviews for restaurants or reading reviews for hotels. But online reputation isn’t just for the hospitality industry. According to a recent survey, over 70% of patients check a doctor’s online reviews before booking an appointment. Positive comments build trust, while a few negative remarks can drive patients away – even if you’re the most qualified doctor in your specialty in the area.

Medical professionals can list their experience and education online, and this can’t be debated. Still, your online reviews are an extension of your bedside manner, something that is subjective. Comments and ratings reflect your skills along with your professionalism, responsiveness, and ability to work with the patient to provide excellent care and outcomes. For these reasons, investigating active reputation management is essential, not optional. 

Step 1: Claim and optimize all physician profiles

It’s amazing how many different sites and locations your profile can appear on, whether you want it there or not. And because your reputation starts with visibility, it’s important to make sure your practice is claimed where it’s listed. Additionally, if it doesn’t appear on all relevant platforms, like Google Business, Healthgrades, WebMD, Zocdoc, Vitals, and Yelp, you’ll want to list it. 

Each platform should include accurate contact details, specialties, photos, and up-to-date service information. These listings form the foundation of your online presence, and patients often judge your credibility based on how complete, updated, and consistent they are.

Step 2: Ethically encourage reviews

Now that you have the basics, it’s time to build credibility with a steady stream of positive reviews from real patients. It’s never wise to be too forward or pushy about soliciting reviews, but there are ethical and subtle ways you can ask for feedback. After a visit, encourage satisfied patients to leave feedback through follow-up emails, QR codes at the front desk, or automated texts, provided they are HIPAA-compliant.

Gently encouraging patients to provide their opinion on care doesn’t mean offering incentives in exchange for reviews. This can violate both platform guidelines and medical ethics. Instead, let your reputation speak for itself by striving to create exceptional patient experiences that are worth talking (or posting) about. 

Step 3: Monitor and respond to feedback

The majority of the work of reputation management is getting listed and gaining reviews; however, that doesn’t mean you can sit back and collect stars. You need to stay engaged and actively monitor your online presence. Fortunately, you can use software or set up alerts that will automatically track new reviews across platforms and notify you so that you can evaluate them. From there, you can also thank reviewers who leave a positive comment and address any negative concerns professionally. 

A well-crafted and thoughtful response shows that you are accountable, proactive, and have a genuine concern for your patients. If you need help addressing tough reviews, agencies like Curis Digital can provide support and tools to turn feedback into growth. 

Step 4: Promote your reputation

Garnering 5-star reviews on platforms where you’re listed is great, but there is another way to put them to work for your practice. Consider featuring patient testimonials on your website, sharing them on social media, and including them in email campaigns. Even a single review can be turned into an attention-grabbing graphic or a compelling story that promotes your credibility and builds patient trust. Digital marketing agencies can take it a step further by asking satisfied patients to record short video testimonials or participate in interviews for deeper dives into their experience. These can be powerful marketing assets, especially for plastic surgeons, specialists, and concierge-style medical practices.

Step 5: Use professional reputation management services

Hopefully, by now, it’s easy to see that managing your online reputation takes time. And, if you’re a busy doctor, surgeon, or clinic administrator, outsourcing reputation management may be the smartest move. A specialized company like Curis Digital provides affordable, comprehensive solutions tailored to the unique needs of healthcare providers. From automated review generation to advanced reputation tracking and brand strategy, we help you take control of your digital image—without the stress.

Check your current reputation health with Curis Digital

If you’re unsure of where your online reputation stands, start with a simple reputation check. Review your Google score, read the first five patient reviews, and perform a search of your name alongside your city and specialty. What you find is what your next potential patient will see.

If the results are inconsistent, outdated, or underwhelming, it’s likely time for improvement. With expert reputation management services, even the busiest physician can turn their online image into one that drives new appointments and lasting patient loyalty.

At Curis Digital, we specialize in helping doctors, surgeons, and medical practices grow stronger reputations, one positive interaction at a time. Schedule a free consultation to learn how we can help your practice stand out—with results you can measure and trust.

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