5 effective marketing strategies for dentists – gain more patients and become visible online

Strategy 01

The website is now your practice’s digital business card – and often the first point of contact for potential patients.
A good dental website should:

• Be clearly structured so patients can quickly find the most important information (services, opening hours, contact)
• Be modern and mobile-optimized so it works perfectly on smartphones
• Build trust – through professional photos, a friendly practice team, and real patient testimonials
• Include clear calls to action (“Book an appointment now”)

Strategy 02

A modern dental website is important – but it will only bring you new patients if it can actually be found.
This is where search engine optimization (SEO for dentists) comes into play.
With the right SEO strategy, you ensure that your practice appears at the top of Google search results when someone looks for services like “dental implants Vienna,” “children’s dentist Graz,” or “professional teeth cleaning Salzburg.”

The advantage:
SEO provides you with a steady stream of new patient inquiries without having to invest in advertising budget each time.

1. Local search engine optimization (Local SEO)
   • Use keywords that include your city or region:
     “Dentist for anxious patients in Vienna,”
     “Implantology in Graz”
   • List your practice in Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) – with opening hours, phone number, photos, and a link to appointment booking.
   • Regularly post short updates there, e.g., about new services or practice tips.
2. On-page optimization of your website
   • Each service (implants, prophylaxis, whitening) should have its own subpage with the appropriate keyword.
   • Use descriptive URLs (e.g., /zahnimplantate-wien instead of /seite1).
   • Integrate structured data (Schema.org) so that Google better understands your practice information.
3. Technical optimization
   • Mobile first: Over 80% of patients search using their smartphone – your website must work perfectly on mobile.
   • Optimize loading times: Compressed images, fast hosting, and clean code not only help visitors but also improve your Google ranking.
   • SSL encryption: Mandatory for security and SEO.
4. Content strategy for dentists
   • Write professional yet easy-to-understand texts about your services.
   • Use a blog to answer patients’ questions – e.g., “How does a root canal treatment work?” or “How much does whitening cost?”
   • The more high-quality content you have, the more keywords you can cover.

💡 Agency tip:
SEO is not a one-time project but an ongoing process. Those who regularly update their dental website, add new content, and make technical optimizations remain visible in the long term.

Strategy 03

While SEO for dentists has a long-term effect, Google Ads and social media ads deliver fast and measurable results.
With targeted ads, you reach potential patients at the exact moment they are searching for a dental service – and direct them straight to your practice website or a specially optimized landing page.

The advantage: You can flexibly adjust budgets and target audiences, highlight services, and strategically manage your capacity.

🔗 You might also be interested in this

Google Ads for dentists – step-by-step guide to a successful campaign

Strategy 04

Nowadays, most people research online first before seeking dental treatment.
Whether it’s dental implants, whitening, invisible braces, or a professional teeth cleaning – patients want to know:

• How does the treatment work?

• What costs should I expect?

• Are there risks or alternatives?

This is exactly where the opportunity lies for your practice:
If a patient searches on Google for “How does a dental implant treatment work?” and comes across your blog article, they get to know you and your way of working – even before they’ve ever visited your practice.

1. Publish informative content
   • Blog articles, guides, FAQ pages, or short explainer videos about your most important treatments.
   • The content should be professionally accurate but written in a patient-friendly way.
2. Make your expertise visible
   • The more high-quality content your dental website contains, the more you position yourself as an expert in your field.
3. Targeted call to action (CTA)
   • At the end of each article, there should be a clear call to action, e.g.:
     “Book a consultation at our practice now – we’ll be happy to answer your questions in person.”
4. Indirect branding effect
   • Even if a visitor doesn’t book an appointment right away, your practice remains in their mind.
   • When they next need a dentist, the patient will remember “that practice with such good explanations.”

💡 Extra tip

Strategy 05

In times of Google and review platforms, patient reviews are often the deciding factor in whether a prospect actually books an appointment.

Many people rely on the experiences of others before choosing a practice – especially for services associated with high costs or fears, such as implants, aesthetic dentistry, or dental treatments for anxious patients.

According to studies, 92% of people trust recommendations from people they know more than any other form of advertising. This shows how important a strong professional network can be for your practice.

• Social proof: People trust the experiences of other patients more than any advertising claim.

• Google ranking: Many positive and recent reviews improve your visibility in local search results.

• Building trust: Reviews give prospects a sense of everyday practice life, the atmosphere, and how patients are treated.

A negative review doesn’t have to automatically damage your image – if you respond professionally and constructively. What matters is that patients see your practice takes criticism seriously, acts in a solution-oriented way, and communicates transparently.

Here’s the best way to proceed:

• Respond quickly: Reply within 24–48 hours to show that you are actively listening.
• Stay objective: Avoid arguments or justifications, and instead show understanding and empathy.
• Act in a solution-oriented way: If possible, move the conversation to a private channel to clarify details.
• Use the signaling effect: A polite and professional response shows other prospects that you take feedback seriously.

💡 Take feedback seriously & implement it:

• Use positive feedback as affirmation for the team.
• Analyze constructive criticism and turn it into concrete improvements (e.g., shorter waiting times, optimized appointment scheduling).
• Actively communicate implemented changes so patients can see: “This practice listens and improves.”

💡 Tip

Create a fixed system for your review and feedback management.
This means: regularly checking reviews, responding promptly, documenting feedback, and recording improvements.
This way, a single review becomes a lasting building block for your practice’s success.