Did you know nearly 4 out of 5 people seeking health information start with a search engine like Google?

Having a website for your health care center is critical, but it’s just a start. If you want to show up on search engine results pages, you’re going to need a blog as well. Blog posts help you rank for keywords that your potential patients are searching for when conducting health research.

Let’s look at some of the biggest ways your health care center can benefit from starting a blog today.

Increase Your Web Traffic

If you don’t have a blog for your facility, you’re missing out on valuable web traffic. Small businesses with blogs attract 55% more visitors to their site.

When someone with a health concern types a health-related keyword into Google, they’re going to see results for many blog posts. If your competitors have blogs, potential patients may end up on their sites instead.

Most people searching for the name of your site already know your facility exists. Medical blogging provides the best way to reach new patients.

Convert More Visitors into Leads

Not only does a blog help bring people to your website, but it can also help you turn them into patients. B2C businesses that blog regularly get 88% more leads than those that don’t.

However, you need to include calls-to-action in your blog posts in order to convert readers. A call-to-action is any image or anchor text that invites visitors to take immediate action. When you click on one, it usually takes you to a landing page with a form.

This heroin rehab center does a great job using clear and specific call-to-action buttons on the right side of each page. These buttons don’t distract readers from the main content. Instead, they make it easier for them to take the next step.

Build Strong Relationships with Potential Patients

For people to visit your health care center, they have to trust you. Well-researched and informative blog posts help you foster this trust.

By posting helpful blog content, you position yourself as an expert in your field. If visitors like what they read, they’ll check out other blog posts on your site as well. Positive experiences on your blog will eventually convince them to seek treatment at your facility.

Aside from this, having a blog allows you to reply to client feedback, good or bad. By responding on the regular basis, you show readers that you care about their opinions.

Over 80% of people recommend businesses they trust to others. So building trust on your blog may also bring in more patients through word-of-mouth marketing.

Starting a Blog for Your Health Care Center

Keep in mind that mobile devices now account for 56% of web traffic. To ensure your blog is mobile-friendly, consider responsive design for your website.

Before launching your blog, develop a content strategy. Begin by researching your target audience to find out what questions they’re asking. Then find long-tail keywords you can use to create blog content that answers their questions.

Are you ready to start blogging? Check out our guide to choosing the best blog platform for your health care center!