In today’s digital world, patients don’t just walk into a clinic randomly—they Google everything first. And guess what? If you’re not in control of your online presence, third-party platforms like Practo, Lybrate, Justdial, and Sulekha are deciding how you appear to your potential patients. While these platforms offer visibility, they come at a heavy cost—both financially and in terms of brand control.
If you’re a doctor or surgeon relying on these platforms, you might be unknowingly limiting your own growth. Here’s why:
1. You’re Paying for Your Own Patients
Let’s be real—most of the patients booking through these platforms are the ones who were already looking for you! But instead of them coming directly to you, they land on Practo, Lybrate, or Justdial first. These platforms charge you for every lead or take a cut from your earnings, even though the patient was searching for your name in the first place!
2. Your Brand Gets Overshadowed
When a patient searches for you on these platforms, they don’t just see your profile. They see a list of competing doctors in their area. The platform’s goal isn’t to promote you—it’s to keep the patient browsing so they can sell more leads. In contrast, if you had your own website, there would be no distractions—just your services, your expertise, and a clear call to action to book an appointment.
3. Zero Control Over Your Reputation
Have you ever received an unfair or fake negative review on Practo or Lybrate? These platforms often don’t let you remove misleading reviews, and they can tank your credibility. Worse, even if you have glowing reviews, the platform still ranks you based on their algorithm—not based on actual patient satisfaction.
4. You’re Stuck in a Bidding War
Most of these platforms operate on a pay-to-play model. That means the more you pay, the higher your profile appears. If a competing doctor in your area spends more on ads, your visibility drops, regardless of your experience or expertise. Instead of building long-term credibility, you’re forced into an endless cycle of paying just to stay relevant.
5. No Direct Patient Relationship
When a patient books an appointment via Practo or Justdial, you don’t own their contact information—the platform does. This means you can’t follow up, nurture relationships, or market directly to your own patients. They control the communication, not you.
The Solution: Build Your Own Digital Presence
Instead of depending on third-party platforms, take control of your digital presence through expert digital marketing for doctors.
Here’s how:
✅ Own Your Website:
A professional website allows you to showcase your expertise, patient testimonials, services, and blogs—without competition from other doctors. Plus, it improves your credibility. The right digital marketing agency for doctors can help design and optimize it for you.
✅ Google My Business (GMB):
When patients search for doctors near them, your GMB profile ensures they find you directly—not through a paid listing on a third-party platform. Effective online marketing for doctors can help you optimize this.
✅ SEO & Local Search Optimization:
Instead of paying Practo every month, invest in SEO. When done right, your name will appear at the top of Google for free! A specialized marketing agency for doctors ensures your SEO strategy works.
✅ Social Media & Patient Engagement:
Regularly posting on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube builds trust and keeps your practice top-of-mind for current and potential patients. Doctor digital marketing strategies include social media management to boost engagement.
✅ Branding for Doctors & Personal Branding:
If you want to establish yourself as an authority in your field, personal branding is crucial. Doctor personal branding involves building your identity online, creating valuable content, and positioning yourself as a trusted expert. How to build a doctor’s personal brand? By leveraging digital platforms effectively! Physician branding and marketing ensure you stand out in a competitive healthcare market.
✅ Online Booking System:
With the right tools, your website can have an appointment booking feature so patients can schedule visits directly—without any commission fees.
Final Thoughts
Doctors and surgeons deserve better than being dependent on third-party platforms that charge them for visibility. Instead of giving away your hard-earned revenue and control, invest in your own digital assets. The sooner you start, the faster you’ll build a brand that’s independent, credible, and highly profitable.
If you’re ready to break free from these platforms and build a strong online presence, we can help. Our best healthcare digital marketing agency specializes in digital marketing for doctors, ensuring effective physician branding and marketing that grows your practice. Contact us today to take your practice to the next level! 🚀
At Yellow Flash Media, we specialize in helping doctors grow through effective digital marketing strategies.
📞 Call us at +917558666215
📧 Email us at info@yellowflashmedia.com
💻 Visit YellowFlashMedia.com to schedule a free consultation!
