It goes without saying that the ongoing global health crisis has resulted in lots of challenges to most, if not all, industries – including the animal health and veterinary industries. As both industries have experienced significant growth over the past few years, it is imperative for veterinarians (and their clinics) to implement changes that will ensure their continued success in a post-pandemic world.
If you are still at a loss at what these changes could be for you, here are some upgrades and alterations you might want to consider:
Revamping your digital marketing strategy
In one of our previous posts, we mentioned how a greater online presence could bridge the gap between you and prospective clients. This will, in turn, help you build credibility and allow you to connect with clients on a more personal level. These days, with the pandemic causing the world to heavily rely on all things digital, a good online presence is no longer enough. You also have to have a solid digital marketing strategy that can help your clinic in more ways than one.
When creating a digital marketing strategy, make sure to focus on developing a search-friendly experience and a mobile-friendly website. These considerations will help you drive more organic traffic to your website and increase conversion. It also pays to create relevant and relatable content every so often, as well as creating social media accounts that can provide an avenue for you to communicate with clients. Solving any common issues, they have and showing them how you can provide expert advice that can be relied upon.
Choosing a new business structure
It may seem a little over the top to choose a new business structure just so you can ensure success after the pandemic. However, in reality, there is no better time to do this than now.
This is because the legal structure of your business could very well define the liabilities and business losses you might have to shoulder, the way you pay your taxes and your earning potential. If your business is a sole proprietorship or a partnership, you may want to switch to an LLC. Some of the many benefits of registering as an LLC includes a flexible management structure, customizable ownership options and less-complicated procedures. In addition to all of these, LLCs also offer a certain level of protection to owners. If ever your practice accrues debts or is sued, you don’t have to pay for the fees from your own money because your business is legally considered as a wholly separate entity from you.
Offering tele-consultations
Despite lockdown measures being eased across the country, a lot of people are still hesitant and nervous about going outside and visiting public spaces. To cater to these kinds of clients and their pets, try using telemedicine to your advantage. This simple trick will not only make consultations safer for everyone but also help your clinic stick with the universal safety guidelines that are being observed all throughout the country. Once you start offering tele-consultations, the American Veterinary Medical Association’s telemedicine policy said that it is best to limit such services to existing patients only, as part of the veterinarian-client-patient relationship. One trusted telemedicine platform we recommend is Anipanion. The have a robust and affordable platform that is web-based and app-based.
Using an appointment system
One of the reasons why the adoption of telemedicine in the veterinary industry is slow is the fact that animals can’t tell vets what is wrong with them themselves. This makes it even more important for vets to have the chance to physically examine their patients, especially new ones. To make consultations safer, try using an appointment system. By using a real-time scheduling platform, you can simplify the entire consultation process and limit the number of people in your clinic at any given time. Such platforms can also help you reduce staffing for clerical tasks and allow you to improve the overall client experience. After all, these systems usually have functions that enable you to notify clients about upcoming consultations, as well as other equally important dates such as vaccinations.
