What to Ask Before You Hire Google Ads for Clinics

What Google Ads Should Deliver for Clinics

When you invest in Google Ads for your clinic, the goal is clear: more booked patient appointments. It's not just about getting more clicks or impressions. It's about attracting potential patients who will schedule and show up for their appointments. Google Ads should be tailored to your clinic's specific services and patient demographics, ensuring that your advertising spend translates into actual patients walking through your doors.

Questions to Ask Any Provider Before Signing

Before you commit to a provider, it’s important to ask some critical questions. These questions will help you gauge their expertise and ensure their approach aligns with your clinic's needs:

1. How do you tailor campaigns specifically for healthcare practices?
2. What is your strategy for measuring success beyond clicks and impressions?
3. Can you provide examples of previous work for clinics similar to ours?
4. How do you handle HIPAA compliance in marketing?
5. What is your plan for optimizing campaigns over time?

These questions will give you insight into their process, experience, and commitment to privacy in healthcare marketing.

Answers That Should End the Conversation

Not every answer will be satisfactory, and certain responses should raise red flags. If a provider gives vague answers about their process, or if they focus solely on vanity metrics like clicks without a clear patient acquisition strategy, it's time to walk away. Similarly, if they can’t demonstrate a solid understanding of HIPAA compliance or dismiss its importance, they may not be the right fit for a healthcare setting.

What a Fair Scope of Work Looks Like

A reasonable scope of work for Google Ads in a clinic setting should include the following elements:

• Initial Consultation: Understanding your clinic's specific needs and goals.
• Campaign Setup: Developing tailored ad copy and targeting strategies.
• Ongoing Management: Regular adjustments to budget and targeting based on performance data.
• Monthly Reporting: Clear and concise reports on campaign performance focusing on booked appointments.
• Consultations to Review and Adjust Strategy: Meetings to discuss performance and make necessary adjustments.

This structure ensures transparency and continuous improvement of your campaigns.

How to Tell in the First Month Whether It Is Working

In the initial month, you should see foundational progress such as increased website traffic from targeted locations and keywords relevant to your clinic's services. More importantly, there should be an uptick in appointment inquiries. Communication with your provider should be open, and they should be proactive in discussing early performance data and adjustments.

If you’re evaluating Google Ads providers for your clinic, feel free to ask us these same questions. Check out our Google & Social Ads for Clinics service to learn more, or book a consultation to discuss your needs directly.