Not all businesses are created equal, and that’s okay. Whether you’re a massive ten-doctor hospital or a mobile veterinarian in a rural area – you can still act as the big brands do in your community. Why is this important? For any local business, and especially veterinary hospitals, it’s important to stand out and add value to your community. Shockwaves were sent through the veterinary industry when Walmart announced they were opening 100 veterinary offices in their stores over the next 12 months. So how can you compete? It’s easier than you think.
The trends say you’re safe.
As retailers and local businesses around the world are watching juggernauts like Amazon and Walmart continue to cannibalize market share of multiple industries, small businesses still saw a 5.3% increase in sales during the last holiday season. The “shop and support local businesses movement” is here to stay, but that doesn’t mean you can just sit back and relax.
Think bigger.
What can you offer that Walmart and Amazon cannot? A customized experience during every single visit to your hospital. We often ask ourselves – how would Disney create an experience for clients when they come to WhiskerCloud? From the moment you walk through the doors at your favorite Disney park, you are greeted by dozens of smiling cast members, the music is playing in the background, and the smell of churros is in the air. What happens when someone walks into your clinic? Are they greeted by smiling employees? Is it clean and inviting? The visit starts well before they even come to see you, and this journey needs to be seamless on your website or during the first phone call to your clinic. Does your website provide them with the information they need? Can they book or request an appointment online? If not, contact us today to discuss how to fix that! During the appointment, make sure you’re taking care of clients in a timely manner and offering over-the-top care and support to your patients. Continue to follow-up, provide information, and make sure they understand how important they are to you – it will create a lasting impression.
Become a part of the community.
As the pet and veterinary industry grows, so does the number of veterinary hospitals on every corner. There are four veterinary hospitals in walking distance from the WhiskerCloud office in Newport Beach, if that tells you anything about saturation. What makes you stand out? More importantly, how do you stand out before a decision has been made to visit your website or call you? This is your chance to become part of the community. Take part in community events, partner with non-profit organizations, and work to become a true pillar of the community. The next time people in your area ask where they should bring their pet for an exam, your name will continue to come up in the conversation.
Up your technology game.
In some cases, you will not be able to compete with companies like Amazon or Walmart. However, technology is the great equalizer in life, and if you use it wisely, you will see your numbers grow. Having a mobile-friendly website with all of the customizations you could need is a great place to start. Clients should be able to easily find you on Google because of stellar SEO, read amazing reviews about your office thanks to strong reputation management, and be able to book an appointment or contact you from any device at any time of day will help you convert new business faster. If your website is broken or doesn’t offer these simple features, it will make the visit to Walmart’s new veterinary appointment booking website that much easier.
We can help with that, and we believe that conversion is key. You never know when someone will access your website, or what device they’ll be on. Let WhiskerCloud make sure you’re optimized for converting web visitors into paying clients. Custom landing pages, call-to-action buttons, and online forms lead to growth.
You can also opt to use companies like PetDesk (which integrates nicely with WhiskerCloud) and allow your clients to receive appointment reminders and confirmation, access to their pet’s records, and allows them to order refills or request an appointment in minutes.
What not to do:
Sit back and wait. Every day there are thousands of people searching online or asking friends for recommendations for a new veterinary hospital. How confident do you feel about coming up first in either scenario? If you need some help, let us know. Requesting a demo with WhiskerCloud takes 30 seconds and is always free. If you have issues, we have solutions.
WhiskerCloud websites are fully loaded with everything you need to grow.
We offer cloud hosting, SEO, real-time website tracking, reputation management, social media management, and advertising — and all of it comes with unlimited support from our team.
