5 Effective Ways to Attract New Patients to Your Pharmacy
Opening a pharmacy is both profitable and rewarding as a career choice. Owning and managing a pharmacy, provided it’s done correctly, offers job satisfaction and a healthy work-life balance.
Starting any new business venture comes with risks and challenges, and opening a pharmacy is no different. There is a growing demand for pharmacies in most communities, largely due to the growing number of citizens having access to prescription medication.
If you want to tap into this lucrative market, below are five of the most effective ways to attract patients to your pharmacy:
1. Online Directories
Make the most of the digital age. While direct marketing, Google ads, and social media campaigns are great for business, there is one thing that most companies forget about – online directories.
Online directories form some of the go-to places for patients needing prescriptions filled or just a safe place to have annual flu shots. A quick Google search will show you the best directories to join because not all directories get created equally.
You should only join the ones with good traction and SEO results – after all, we all know that if your business isn’t listed at the top of the search results page – it may as well not exist.
2. Social Media
While there has been a decline in daily internet use, social media continues to receive attention from people. Hundreds of thousands of Instagram and Facebook users scroll through their feeds each day, providing you with a fantastic opportunity to market your new pharmacy.
Post fresh content like lifestyle tips and health news, details on your promotions, as well as any other information that may be relevant to your target audience.
3. Maintain Good Stock Levels
When you open your pharmacy, you must stay committed to supplying good quality medication that is properly stored in optimal conditions. Choose high-performance freezers and fridges to keep stock fresh and effective.
There is nothing worse than arriving at a pharmacy when you’re feeling sick, only to discover that they do not have the medication you need in stock. By using top-quality appliances, you can ensure that you always have enough stock of commonly prescribed medications like insulin.
4. Offer Digital Communication
The time for needing to pick up the phone to order the next repeat of a chronic or prescription medication has passed. Patients are more likely to do business with a pharmacy if they can get what they need with a few clicks.
Offer digital communication options for your patients to allow them to enquire, price-check, and order their medication online. That simple change in business practice will encourage your patients to be as comfortable as possible when doing business with your pharmacy.
5. Host Virtual Events
An effective pharmacy marketing and advertising plan should encompass more than just social media and search engines. Find creative ways to reach your target audience, like hosting informative virtual events.
Even a simple at-home fitness program or breast examination tutorial can go a long way in spreading the word about your new pharmacy – and every referral counts more than you know.
