SAN DIEGO, Calif.—Wichita Optometry has a long history of providing exceptional eyecare in West Wichita. Originally founded in 1920 by Dr. Byron Babb, the practice has since grown to include two locations and five doctors of optometry, including Chad Fleming, OD, FAAO, partner and business manager of Wichita Optometry. The philosophy of the practice: core values of quality care and service, integrity and excellence.
Dr. Fleming: Impromptu Web Developer
Aside from treating patients at Wichita Optometry, Dr. Fleming’s responsibilities include developing and maintaining the practice’s website. In fact, Dr. Fleming developed the Wichita Optometry website himself, from soup to nuts. However, as time passed, the busy doctor realized that it is a substantial time commitment to stay abreast of the ever-evolving trends in websites and online marketing, including the periodic changes that occur in the field of search engine optimization (SEO). Given Dr. Fleming’s extensive scope of responsibilities in helping run a lucrative eyecare practice, he simply did not have the time to manage the various components of a comprehensive online marketing plan.
Enlisting the Help of a Leading Online Marketing Agency
To help manage the practice’s website, online marketing and SEO efforts, Dr. Fleming enlisted the help of iMatrix, the leader in eyecare websites and Internet marketing. One of the main benefits that iMatrix is that they provide optometry-specific online marketing solutions.
For instance, iMatrix provides optometry-specific website content, including relevant keywords with strong SEO value, and weekly social media posts about eyecare that the agency disseminates to Wichita Optometry patients on behalf of the practice.
In addition, iMatrix offers mobile-responsive website designs, which attract on-the-go patients who are searching for physician information from a mobile device—while satisfying one of Google’s 200-plus search ranking factors. On his own, Dr. Fleming would not have had the time to migrate his entire website, which was originally designed for desktop use, to a mobile-friendly platform.
Another aspect of online marketing that Dr. Fleming could not manage on his own due to time constraints is consistently updating the Wichita Optometry website so it stays fresh. To address this issue, iMatrix: routinely introduces new, mobile-friendly website designs; provides monthly patient newsletters and, again, weekly social media posts; periodically updates their community website content; offers an iCard service that allows eye doctors to keep in touch with patients in between appointments; and even offers an e-store where practice owners can introduce new frames and other eyecare products.
Measureable ROI
Since partnering with iMatrix, Dr. Fleming said he has noticed tangible results for Wichita Optometry: The practice is ranking more consistently at the top of Google’s search results pages. They have increased the number of new patients visiting their practice. Also, the practice’s analytics show that website visitors are staying on their site longer, demonstrating that the content supplied by iMatrix is more engaging than their previous content.
“I have heard some industry colleagues say they are hesitant to invest in online marketing because they are not sure of the ROI, however, in my experience, the ROI that we have seen since partnering with iMatrix—in particular thanks to their eyecare-specific online marketing efforts—has been exponential,” said Dr. Fleming.
Dr. Fleming continues to spend time posting insights to his blog, OptometryCEO, a blog designed for optometrists who practice optometry and are owners of their practice. The blog has been running since 2009 and Dr. Fleming consistently posts once a week on relevant CEO topics. The blog also has downloadable documents for the buying and selling of optometry practices, documents for managing a practice and references to other great resources. ECPs can sign up to receive weekly posts by RSS feed or email.
iMatrix provides mobile-friendly websites and other online marketing solutions, including social media management and SEO, that are designed specifically for eyecare professionals and other health care practices. For more information about features of a successful website, SEO or online marketing in general, download a free e-book called “Wake Up Your Website’s Potential” by iMatrix.