America's Best Healthcare Facilities Fall Drastically Behind Online
Medical tourism, declining reputations and inability to find local care result largely from a non-existent online presence by the nation's top hospitals, according to a new study by digital marketing leader Oneupweb.
Traverse City, MI (Vocus/PRWEB ) January 6, 2009 -- Over 160 million U.S. adults sought medical information online in 2007. Yet, according to a new study by Oneupweb, 63 percent of America's top hospitals have little online presence.
"We found that our nation's top hospitals just don't exist online," says Oneupweb CEO and Founder Lisa Wehr. "While they may have made their mark as a center of excellence in the medical community, it's critical that those seeking their services can find them. A good long-term online marketing strategy can get them there."
Oneupweb's most recent study, America's Hospitals and Online Marketing: Do They Get It? analyzes the online marketing initiatives of the 19 healthcare organizations recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the Best Hospitals Honor Roll. In doing so, Oneupweb determined what percentage were using the various techniques and strategies of SEO and reputation management, and to what degree. Criteria used included general, medical, local and Spanish keyword searches. Oneupweb also delved deep into the hospital's websites, analyzing for presence of social media such as blogs and podcasts, and reviewed outside sources for both negative and positive reviews.
Of the 19 hospitals, Oneupweb found:
- 63 percent with little or no online presence
- 37 percent hosting a blog
- 47 percent hosting a podcast
- 37 percent with prevalent negative reviews online.
"This study should serve as a wake-up call to these healthcare organizations," says Wehr.
She points out that the web has made it easier than ever to conduct research based on specific procedures, conditions, symptoms, doctors and medical facilities-making a trip across the state, or even the country, a common practice among those seeking the best medical care.
"By increasing and devoting efforts to SEO and local search strategies, social media marketing and reputation management, healthcare organizations can effectively grow their online presence," says Wehr. "In doing so, these facilities will be able to reach a much greater patient base while solidifying their expertise in their key specialties."
To download a free copy of the study, please visit OneUpWeb.com.
About Oneupweb
Oneupweb has been an innovator in digital marketing for more than a decade, creating integrated online marketing plans that include natural search engine optimization (SEO), paid search marketing (PPC), conversion improvement and analytics, podcast production, social media marketing, online media planning and placement and search marketing consultation for in-house marketing teams. Oneupweb has twice been named a Top 20 Search Marketing Agency by Advertising Age, and CEO Lisa Wehr is recognized as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. The company publishes an award-winning blog and podcast entitled StraightUpSearch. Oneupweb is a privately held company located in Traverse City, Michigan. For more information on Oneupweb, please call 231.922.9977 or visit OneUpWeb.com.
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