In 2025, reaching patients means embracing the progress that technology has brought with it.
In fact, in 2023, more than 50% of patients in the United States had declared that seeing a doctor through a virtual consultation was far easier and more convenient than going in person.
Although telehealth is growing quickly, some professionals might find themselves without patients if they don’t pair their services with effective marketing strategies.
If you’re interested in offering your services online, you’ll need the strategies we’re going to be exploring in this article.
You’ll be able to target the right patients, build trust with them, help them and grow your telehealth services.
Digital-first patients: What to Know
Digital-first patients are those who would rather engage with healthcare professionals through technology, and this can be for several reasons, not only limited to physical distance.
Normally, these people value the convenience and speed of access to this kind of service. Other times, they suffer from conditions that make it difficult for them to travel to an in-person location, or they’re simply too far away from any such places.
However, they also have certain expectations that you need to understand if you want to successfully market your online health services.
1. Convenience and flexibility
There’s no denying the flexibility that telehealth offers. Your marketing strategy should highlight how easy it is to schedule and go to virtual appointments, no matter where people are or what barriers are in their way.
Busy people or those in need of urgent answers will be attracted to this benefit because of how quickly they will be able to access healthcare.
2. Expectations about your platform and its security
Patients who are used to being digital first are also expecting user-friendly platforms, no matter the service.
Your marketing strategy should showcase how easy and safe your platform is to use, and how intuitive it is, too.
As usual, you should be clear with the website’s instructions and reassure your clients when they express their concerns over your platform.
In this day and age, most people are acutely aware of data privacy and security concerns, especially when it comes to things like health data.
In the healthcare industry, it’s extremely important to assure patients that proper security measures are in place, both on your end and regarding their own connection.
Encouraging patients to use secure networks – and being aware of tools that enhance their online privacy, like those by Surfshark – demonstrates a commitment to protecting their sensitive health information.
Build Your Presence Online
Invest in your marketing strategy – you need to “meet” your audience and talk to them effectively so that they want to purchase your services. A strong digital presence is a must when inspiring trust and connecting with people.
Optimize your website
Your website should be like a front door for your telehealth services. It has to be optimized for mobile devices – that’s what the majority of patients will be accessing your site from.
It’s also a good idea to include a clear call to action, or CTA, depending on what you want them to do.
The website should also load quickly and provide a seamless navigation experience.
Content marketing and SEO
SEO, known also as Search Engine Optimization, is also crucial if you want to grow the number of patients using your services.
SEO is what drives organic traffic, so your content should be aimed at these people. Talk about the most common health concerns and try to answer the questions they may have.
A good blog with informative, SEO-friendly articles could potentially position your organization in the top spots on any browser.
Getting Your Patients to Trust You
Building trust is vital for any health provider – telehealth included. So when you think about a marketing strategy for your business, think of your patients’ trust.
They need to feel confident in the quality of the service and the professionals’ understanding of their problems.
Building trust is vital in healthcare, and especially when marketing telehealth, where in-person interactions are limited but the stakes potentially high. Your patients need to feel confident that they will receive quality care virtually.
Unfortunately, in February 2024, a major healthcare company disclosed a cyberattack that had disrupted operations.
The healthcare industry is frequently attacked by cybercriminals, and this can sink a business due to patients simply not trusting them anymore.
Prioritize privacy and security
Privacy is a concern for a lot of the people who use online services, but especially so for healthcare patients. Make it clear in every marketing strategy that it’s a priority for you.
We’ve already covered digital security, but your telehealth platform also has to comply with every industry regulation – like HIPAA – so that your patients’ data is truly confidential. Reassure them any chance you get.
To Sum Up
Marketing telehealth services requires a very focused approach, dedicated to an audience that prioritizes speed of service, convenience, security and accessibility.
Optimize your online presence, employ SEO strategies, answer the most common health concerns, and grow your platform organically.
The healthcare industry is evolving, and you can remain relevant as long as you are willing to adapt.
