Have you ever sent an email through Gmail, video chatted on Skype, or listened to music on Spotify? If you have, you have already used cloud based technology. So, you’ve used the cloud in your personal life and are familiar with it, but what exactly is cloud computing and how can it help your business?
Cloud computing refers to storing and accessing data and programs through the Internet. Services in the cloud are managed by a provider and your data is stored on an external network of servers. The information you store is available through a reliable Internet connection. There is no longer a need to invest in computer hardware with heavy upfront costs. With cloud applications, all you’re required to do is load the application once, log in, and start using it. And best of all, most cloud services have a subscription pricing model, so you only pay for what you use!
So using cloud based applications is easy, but why should your practice adopt the cloud?
3 Advantages of Cloud Computing to Improve Your Practice
1. Saves You Time and Money
Running applications through an onsite server at your own office, rather than in the cloud, can rack up huge expenses. In addition to paying high upfront costs for software, you also have to pay for a client based server system to support it. Although this will enable your practice to store large amounts of data, it’s not cheap. Moving your day-to-day business functions, including your practice management system and electronic health records to the cloud has the potential to save you big bucks!
Most cloud services use a pay as you use price model or charge a monthly subscription fee. This means that you won't be paying for space that you don’t use. Even though some monthly subscription fees may seem high, if you take into account all your expenses, it is cheaper in the long run. With a monthly subscription, you are also cutting out ongoing maintenance and upgrade expenses. By using the cloud, maintenance is performed and your system is upgraded automatically by the Vendor. This not only saves you money on hiring experts to maintain your system, but also means you won’t have to take time out of your busy schedule to maintain these updates.
Having in-house servers requires your practice to have extensive IT knowledge. A team of experts will need to be hired (yet, creating another expense) to install, test, and secure these applications. However, if you choose to use cloud services, they require minimal set up and are updated automatically. Another advantage of cloud based technology is that it is easy to integrate with software that you may already be using.
2. Gives You Unlimited Storage Capacity and Convenience
With the cloud, your storage space is unlimited. Filing cabinets can be a thing of the past and you will free up space in your practice. And remember, even though you have unlimited space, you’ll still only be paying for what you use.
Not only will you be able to store as much information as you’d like, the cloud also has a big convenience factor. The information you store on the cloud can be accessed through a variety of devices. Computers, smartphones, and tablets all allow you to access your information from anywhere, as long as you have an Internet connection. If your staff is granted access to the information, it is easy to collaborate. Since data in the cloud is updated in real time, employees can see all the latest changes, view documents that are still in progress, and collaborate on projects together all at the same time!
3. Provides You with a Reliable and Secure Network
Data loss can happen for a variety of reasons and many of them are out of your control. You can have hard drive failure, theft, fire, or simply spill coffee on your laptop. Since these accidents can happen at any time, you are required to conduct constant physical backups. However, with the cloud, your files will be safe. Files in the cloud are constantly being saved and backed up online. Information that you may have otherwise lost is usually able to be recovered by cloud service providers.
A common concern with the cloud is that your information is not secure. However, in terms of backup redundancy, fire prevention, disaster recovery, and physical security, using the cloud is more secure than what you’d most likely be able to implement yourself. The government mandates regulations to ensure that data stored in the cloud is protected. Also, the top providers have written guarantees with serious penalties if your data is compromised.
Cloud providers will make sure your data is kept secure, but it is your job to keep access to cloud data in the right hands. Local and cloud applications both use similar technology for user authentication. Remember to always log out of your accounts and use strong, hard to guess passwords.
The future in cloud computing is a bright one. 71% of technology experts and stakeholders agree that by 2020 most people will work with internet based applications. And 2/3rds of global organizations are planning to adopt cloud technology in the near future. So why are you still wasting time and money running applications in your own office, when the cloud has so many advantages for your practice?
Want to learn more about cloud computing and what it can do for your practice? Download our Rising Up to the Cloud in Optical Practices e-book today!
Times are changing and technology is on the rise. With all the new technology on the market there can be a lot of information to absorb. And lately, there has been a lot of talk about cloud computing in optical and how the cloud can benefit eyecare practices. One of the ways the cloud can be used is in the form of Software as a Service (SaaS). Software as a Service refers to a software distribution model where data and software are hosted by a vendor and are accessible to customers over the Internet.
In this infographic we broke down the differences between the traditional client server approach to eyecare practice management and compared it with a cloud practice management system. Decide for yourself who wins this technology showdown.
Want to know more about cloud computing in eyecare? One of our favorite optometry eBooks will further explain the benefits of using cloud solutions.
If you’re like most practices, converting to a new Electronic Health Records (EHR) software system is in your cards, especially if you’re thinking of participating in the Meaningful Use Incentive Program. Getting the entire practice on board with such a big change can be stressful and you may not even know how to start! In today's guest post, Software Advice is here to provide tips on training your staff. Check out what they have to say!
Implementing an (EHR) system can seem daunting, especially if your practice is making the transition from paper records. But by providing effective training for your staff, you can avoid some of the most common frustrations.
Research has shown that good training is essential to successful EHR implementation. Training can help your practice avoid setbacks, errors, and even employee turnover in addition to facilitating a smooth transition to a new system.
Software Advice has put together five tips for effective training to get your staff up and running with a new EHR.
1. Assess Computer Skill Levels and Offer Training if Needed.
Step one is especially important for practices transitioning from paper to electronic, where employees may not use computers extensively on a regular basis.
You’ll need to identify basic computer skill levels among your staff and train up anyone who needs it. You can use one of many online resources to assess skills: there are free tests, paid tests, even tests you can create yourself.
If these assessments identify employees in need of basic computer training, you’ll need to get them up to speed. You could pay for classes at a local community college, or even pay an instructor to visit your office for training sessions. Alternatively, you could use free online resources such as Goodwill Community Foundation to help.
Providing basic training to employees who need it will make your staff more comfortable in the new electronic environment.
2. Select Tech-Savvy “Super Users” for Your Practice.
Designate one or two individuals whose role it will be to learn the system inside out and answer questions for the rest of your office. “Super users” should:
- Be highly computer literate;
- Be excited to learn new concepts;
- Be willing to help teach others; and
- Have been with your practice at least one year.
You may know right away who these individuals should be. If not, you can conduct a search of sorts within your practice. Consider offering an incentive, such as extra vacation or a small bonus, to motivate skilled employees to step forward to take on this added responsibility.
3. Train Staff Only on Features They’ll be Using.
It’s not necessary – and in fact, it’s impractical – for all employees to learn every feature of the system. Only the “super users” should know it backwards and forwards. Avoid frustration by tailoring training for the rest of your staff to each person or group.
For example, a billing employee will need to learn how to find insurance information and billing codes, but not how to enter a diagnosis. Don’t waste your time or theirs by training them on features they won’t use. This will speed up the learning process and minimize confusion.
4. Collect Feedback After the EHR Goes Live.
Once the system has been implemented, you’ll probably encounter some snags, such as a function you doesn’t understand or a process that takes too long and needs to be redesigned.
To stay on top of these issues and resolve them quickly, conduct regular feedback sessions in the months following implementation. Be sure to include members of different departments, so that all user groups are represented.
When issues are surfaced, evaluate and prioritize them so that you can tackle urgent issues first. For example, training nursing staff to enter vitals correctly is a higher priority than redesigning an inefficient workflow.
Take the changes one at a time to help your staff adapt more easily and to ensure patient care doesn’t suffer along the way.
5. Use Your EHR Vendor’s Online Resources.
Your staff may come up with questions that your “super users” just can’t answer. If that happens, be sure to take advantage of the online resources most EHR vendors provide.
Typically, the vendor’s website will contain learning and training resources, accessible with a username and password that the vendor provides. Often these resources include manuals, and sometimes even video tutorials, which you can access without having to pay for extra training.
Additionally, you can often find community forums tied to vendors’ websites. These forums give you the opportunity to connect with others who are using the same system.
EHR implementation is challenging, but following these best practices will help your practice avoid costly mistakes and make the transition smooth. Employing a strategic training approach will help you begin using the system effectively more quickly, which will allow you to focus on your top priority: quality patient care.
Amanda Guerrero originally contributed this piece to Software Advice. Amanda is a writer and blogger specializing in EHR, patient portal technology and Meaningful Use. From her years working as a file clerk at a doctor’s office to her time as an implementation manager at an EHR company, Amanda has witnessed the evolution of the healthcare industry’s charting system firsthand. View the original post here: Five Best Practices for Training Staff on Using a New EHR
Successfully implemented an EHR in your practice? Then it's time to get started on Meaningful Use! Download our eBook to find out why!
What exactly is meaningful use and how does it relate to your practice?
It may surprise you
that these two things have more in common than you think. Just a deeper look into how meaningful use can save your eyecare practice thousands from the incentive program! Below is a special guest post from our friends at VitalHealth Software giving you all the details of adopting meaningful use at your practice!
According to the latest market research reports, close to 90% of general family medicine physicians have adopted an EHR, or are in the process of doing so. The rapid increase in adoption – up from perhaps 25% no more then four years ago – can mostly be attributed to the promise of meaningful use incentives, and the looming reduction in Medicare reimbursements for those that opt out of the program.
The adoption rate amongst ODs is starting to ramp up as well. Perhaps you haven’t taken the plunge yet, and are taking a wait-and-see approach, hoping that things will become easier as early adopters work out the kinks. But the window of opportunity is not open much longer. ODs that want to benefit from incentive payments will have to start participating no later than 2014. So perhaps we can help alleviate some of the concerns you may have, based on what we have heard in the field.
1. An EHR Will Slow Me Down
This concern is by far the most often voiced concern by medical professionals. And for some solutions, this may be true. Many EHR solutions available today are based on older technologies, and perhaps designed for large practices with dedicated personnel to input data. These solutions offer a myriad of features and functions with complicated screens and workflows that require a lot of experience and simply don’t fit well with more agile practices. So take a little time to research your options. Look for an EHR that can support your workflow, with screen designs optimized for quick and easy data entry. Avoid solutions that tie you down to using a mouse and keyboard only. Once you give it a try, you will find that many consultation types benefit from the ability to directly face your patient, using an unobtrusive tablet device to document the visit.
2. Attestation Seems Complicated
True, it DOES seem complicated. But fortunately, an EHR that has been certified for Meaningful Use should do most of the work for you. When researching your options, look for solutions that can generate the exact reports you will need to submit in an easy to interpret format. All you’ll have to do is simply enter the data generated by that report into an online submission form. And starting 2014, the Clinical Quality Measures (CQMs) will have to be submitted electronically directly from the EHR. No effort required on your part other than initiating that process.
3. Is It Really ‘Meaningful’?
That is a fair question. Does a certified EHR really help improve quality of care? According to ONC, 88% of practices report that EHR adoption produces clinical benefits for them, while 75% of practices report that adoption has led to better overall patient care. These benefits can be attributed to several reasons. The four reasons most often mentioned by our customers are: instant access to patient medical history from anywhere, reminders for preventive care as well as acute care alerts through clinical decision support, improved care coordination through electronic exchange of medical data, and the ability to stimulate patient engagement through patient portal access. Of course some practitioners claim to do all these things without an EHR, but having a meaningful use certified EHR just makes the process easier.
4. Can EHR Software Benefit My Practice As A Business?
This is NOT a requirement that ONC uses to qualify meaningful use. But we have yet to meet a practice owner to whom this is not a concern. We have already established that the right EHR should not slow you down in documenting a medical exam. But it should also help you streamline the process of coding your visit for billing purposes, prescribing medication, generating reports, and transferring the appropriate data to your eyecare practice management software for ordering products. So make sure you don’t overlook these concerns when choosing your EHR.
5. How Does EHR Implementation Benefit My Patients?
This question is somewhat related to meaningful use. Studies show that successful EHR implementation helps improve quality of care. And based on our experience, it also greatly increases patient satisfaction. Modern EHRs allow patients to directly access select data from their medical record, and interact electronically with their care providers. And MU certified EHRs enable the exchange of data between different care providers, avoiding the need for patients to provide medical history information multiple times, with all its inherent inconsistencies.
We recommend that providers initially focus on getting the correct workflow implemented for optimal use of an EHR within a practice. Once that is done, focus on improving the patient experience by providing direct patient portal access.
6. Are These ‘Cloud-Based’ EHRs Really Safe And Reliable?
We hear this question quite often. Many ODs have probably used a locally installed software product for years, and may be a bit skeptical about moving their private data to the cloud. We recently released an eBook on this subject. Long story short… for small and medium sized practices we recommend a cloud-based solution over locally installed software. Cloud-based technology solutions are reliable, more secure, easily scalable, and far easier to maintain than any local solution can ever be, with a predictable cost pattern. Cloud is the way to go.
The road to Meaningful Use is not necessarily easy. But it is actually not as hard as you think. With the right EHR, most of the work is done for you. There is still an opportunity to benefit from financial incentives, so the time to act is now!
Ready to get started on the Meaningful Use Incentive Program? Our eBook, A Beginner's Guide to Meaningful Use, will tell you everything you need to know to get started!
Today, we’re here to talk about a popular topic that many of you might be unfamiliar with - Meaningful Use. You might have heard of it, but don’t really know much about it, much less how it applies to your practice. That’s why, we’ve partnered with VitalHealth to tell you everything you need to know about Meaningful Use. And don’t worry; it’s not as hard as you think!
The Meaningful Use Incentive Program is all about promoting the use of electronic health records (EHRs) in an effort to make healthcare more consistent and transparent. Early adopters qualify for an incentive payment from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid services.
You are still qualified for incentive payments if you participate in the program this year. Our eBook will tell you how to get started! You’ll learn about:
- Benefits of EHRs
- Financial Incentives and Potential Penalties
- Requirements and Attestation
- Preparing for Audits
- And Much More!
When you succesfully complete the meaningful use program, you'll be able to enhance patient care, get work done easier and faster and make more money in the long run! More than 11,000 ODs have already registered for the program! Get started today!
Check out a preview of the eBook and click the 'Expand' button to view it in full screen.
There's plenty of hype about cloud computing these days, but it's not exactly a new concept. We thought that it would be interesting to explore how cloud computing can be used in new and different ways, especially as a practice management solution for eye care practices.
We asked our friends at VitalHealth, a leader in cloud-based EHR software designed with Mayo Clinic, to give their insight on cloud computing.
Cloud Computing as an Eyecare Practice Management Software Solution
Some of our readers may be wondering if the time has arrived to replace their current clinical and practice management software with a more modern solution. There can be any number of reasons for taking that step. Perhaps you’d like to benefit from Meaningful Use reimbursements, and you’re looking for certified EHR technology. Or perhaps your eyecare practice management software simply can’t keep up with your desire to embrace mobile technologies. Whatever your reason may be, perhaps you’re wondering if “cloud computing” should be one of these reasons?
In this blog post we’ll try to explain what cloud computing is, and why you should seriously consider going that route. We’ll also try to alleviate some of the concerns you may have, if any. So let’s get started.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing means running some of your IT infrastructure (applications and or data) in a location other than your own physical office. You access this infrastructure remotely via the Internet, but you don’t necessarily know exactly where your applications or data are residing physically. Their location is “fuzzy, indefinite, non-localized”, as if it is inside a “cloud”.
Most of us probably already use some form of cloud computing, even though you may not realize it. For instance, if you access Google’s email service via a browser, you are using a “cloud email” solution. Perhaps you sync your email down to a local device such as your mobile phone. In that case your email application is ‘local’, but your email data is in the cloud.
Some of you may already be more advanced cloud users than you realize. Have you ever used Google Docs, or Microsoft’s Office 365? In that case you are a full-fledged cloud user already! You simply use a browser to run e.g. a word processor or spreadsheet application in the cloud, with no local installations of these applications on your computer required. You don’t know where the applications or your data physically reside. They’re somewhere…in the cloud.
What About Security?
The biggest concern typically voiced by cloud-skeptics is “security”. In reality, security of cloud-based applications usually far exceeds that of local infrastructures. Cloud vendors invest heavily in making sure that applications and data are protected from unauthorized access in the form of hackers, as well as physical access to the servers. They have implemented backup and disaster procedures that exceed anything you can afford to implement in a local infrastructure. While the idea of leaving your sensitive data in the hands of an outside vendor may be unsettling, the reality is that these vendors are extremely qualified to address your security concerns.
What About Cost?
Fair question. Typical monthly fees for cloud solutions may seem high at face value. But if you actually went through the exercise of spreading out local infrastructure costs over its lifespan, you would be surprised to find that cloud computing beats a local infrastructure hands-down. Besides that, a monthly subscription fee is much more predictable in terms of cash flow, compared to the typical high upfront costs and spikes in maintenance costs of a local infrastructure.
What Infrastructure Do You Need Locally?
For most cloud applications, you only need Internet access and wired or wireless devices that run any of the major browsers, like Google Chrome, FireFox, Safari, or Internet Explorer. Your bandwidth requirements will depend on your practice size, as well as the cloud applications you are trying to access. For most scenarios, a connection with about 1 Mbps of bandwidth per user is more than sufficient. Pair that with a small business router of a few hundred dollars to protect your network from external intruders, and you are all set.
Join The Cloud!
If we had to summarize the benefits of Cloud Computing in one short phrase, it would be ‘economies of scale’. By sharing an IT infrastructure, all subscribers share in the predictable costs of using a highly secure and reliable environment. What’s not to like? Time to join the migration to the cloud!
Want to learn more about using the cloud in your practice? Download our eBook, Rise Up to The Cloud: Cloud Computing in Eyecare.
We hear the term "Cloud Computing" thrown around a lot these days but do you know what it actually is? The increasing buzz but lack of knowledge about cloud computing prompted us to create our very own infographic to help you understand the concept of the cloud a little better. Cloud computing is becoming increasingly popular in the eyecare industry, especially with optician software.
Find out what the hype is all about and how it can be utilized in your eyecare practice!
(Images used are from Prezi)
Like our infographic? Don't forget to share it on Facebook!
Today's guest post comes from Stacey Mayer, an active reader and commentor on VisionWeb's blog. She is an eyecare blogger as well as an optician at Visioniare Eyecare who was recently part of a conversion to a new eyecare EMR roll-out. She is here to talk about her experience and provide tips to practices who are experiencing or planning to go through a conversion.
Tips for surviving conversion to an electronic medical records (EMR) software system in your eyecare practice
Your practice has chosen a new EMR package, and will soon be converting the whole office. That's great! Everyone has experienced the frustration of looking in multiple places for a patient's folder, so your staff should be looking forward to the arrival of the new system. Right? Well, maybe.
Successful Conversion Begins Early
A smooth conversion is going to depend on how you've prepared and enabled your staff. The conversion process will take a substantial amount of time, and copying existing records for easy access in the future, is only a part of the process. Chances are, there are some employees who are more computer savvy than others, while some of the staff are less confident. Here's your chance for everyone to develop into all-stars.
Encourage Your Staff's Sense of Security
Ask your team to choose a leader, (one or more,) to become an early advocate of the software, ensuring a trusted source remains the, "one with the answers," as usual. Think; your employees take pride in doing their jobs well, and switching to new software will make everyone feel like, "newbies." It's more unsettling than just changing the furniture, and that's hard enough. Substantially changing everyone's jobs is going to require added time, effort, and patience.
Preview the New Work Flow
Today's EMR software vendors have excellent teaching tools to help everyone learn to use the new software, before the program is on their workstation.
- Approach your new EMR in segments. Instead of seeing the conversion as an elephant stomping into the office, let everyone know you'll be taking just one bite of learning at a time.
- Dedicate some time for learning. Plan for team time together without any patients, if possible, even if it's just a few days.
- Encourage questions early. It should go without saying, that every staff member should be allowed to ask questions of the trainer, or fellow team members, anytime. Questions are your friend.
- Let everyone understand how the work flow will change for each member of the team. As they see how it works for their coworkers, their own confidence will grow. Support their curiosity.
- Meet together often. After the last patient of the day is gone, take the time to encourage where needed, and adjust expectations along the way. Take time to praise and encourage each team member for their progress and patience; this is when the attitude for success is nurtured.
- Review and reward each milestone of the process. Discuss what they've learned after each learning module is accomplished; give small gift cards for great remarks, or helpful insights along the way. Ask for comparisons and observations of the new abilities of the software, versus what they've used in the past. Keep your team going!
Today's eye care professionals share more eye health information and dispense more vision care services. Integrated EMR systems will help us better serve our patients, and our communities, more effectively.
What advice do you have to offer our readers about converting to an EMR software?
The VisionWeb Blog would like to welcome guest bloggers, like Stacey, to contribute to our blog! If you would like to share your experience at your eyecare practice, we want to hear from you. We are open to a range of topics, from utilizing eyecare practice management software to fun ideas at your eyecare practice. Feel free to comment below and we'll reach out to you.
For more tips and tools, subscribe to the VisionWeb blog.
The Fun Resources Behind Effective Eyecare Practice Management
We all know how dull it can be reading the same dreary black words on a white paper page after page after page. How boring! We’ve compiled recaps of our favorite infographics and tips for ECPs on making your own infographics to use as optical resources for your own patients! These colorful and useful eyecare practice resources ultimately make managing different facets of your practice a breeze.
Your business is flourishing, but it’s time to set aside your role as an eye care provider and make your way to a tradeshow! Making the most of a tradeshow is definitely an important eye care practice resource because these shows contain a wealth of knowledge and are pretty darn fun!
With Vision Expo East coming up in a month, find out how to make the most of your tradeshow visit by finding out what kind of attendee you are! Or if you are an exhibitor, like us, find out which kind of attendees you might see stopping by at your booth! Are you a Scholar, Explorer, Detective, Shopper, Fashionista, Pillager, Social Butterfly, or Judge? The results may surprise you!
Did you know that 38 percent of ODs in the US are women? Or that 67 percent of graduating ODs in 2010 were female? The growing number of women in the eyecare industry is very exciting; however, there is still room for more progress! Knowing the roles women play as well as the trials they face is an essential eyecare practice resource. Through knowledge, women will undoubtedly soar to new heights!
You have all the bells and whistles, but where do you go from there? The internet is completely at your disposal! What can your practice gain from going online? See the honest opinions about online practices, and learn how other eye care providers utilize the internet.
When it comes to customers, you’ve experienced them all: the good, the bad, and the ugly. But, just like family you gotta love ‘em all! Admit it. They make your days so much more interesting! To help manage any office gossip, we’ve created a resource that matches the stereotypical customers with their bird counterparts. Are you ready for some bird watching? Let the fun begin!
Grandpa always told you how back in his day he walked to and from school uphill both ways, and in the freezing snow. Well, times have changed. Children now can ride a bus to school. The way companies market their businesses has also changed with the times. Social Media is now an integral eye care practice resource that can boost the image of your company. But how effectively are you utilizing this tool? Find out if you are a social savant amongst the crowd or a lurker behind the scenes!
In order to effectively manage your eye care practice, knowing the inner workings of the processes is a valuable eyecare practice resource and can be useful when making decisions to help streamline your practice. This infographic illustrates the path of a claim when it is processed electronically. Are electronic claims processing services right for you?
By now, you can see how enjoyable and informative infographics can be! They are a great resource for your patients, friends, family, followers, and networkers. Who wouldn’t want to read these exciting visual images of data? If you enjoyed the infographics above, learn more about the top tools for creating your own incredible infographics!
Here are some FREE tools to help you get started!
Like what you see? Follow us on Twitter to see more infographics. We love to share them when we see them!
Increasing efficiency and boosting profits are the biggest goals for any business. Have you made an action plan to achieve your goals, or is your eyecare practice expecting everything to just fall into place? Getting started is the hardest part, so we have done the dirty work for you. Bettering patient relations should be at the top of your priorities, and these 7 solutions will build a strong stepping stone for your optometric practice!
Make sure you're getting the most you can out of your optometric practice management system. Utilizing only a few features isn’t necessarily taking advantage of the investment you have made.
Solution: Most PMS's offer a database of training materials for you to get started, which can be of value to you even after you’ve implemented optometric practice management software. Check through this database and see if you are using every feature possible, there may even be features you didn’t know existed!
2. Are you submitting both orders and insurance claims online?
Your practice has to put your patient’s information online anyway, so if you’re still using phone or fax to send in your orders, you're wasting valuable time. Payers also force you to file claims online, and because there are different insurance services, switching between several different sites can be frustrating and time consuming.
Solution: There are various online claim filing and ordering services out there. If you haven't made the switch yet, these services may be fit for your practice. At VisionWeb you not only have access to online lab ordering of spectacle lenses, frames, and contacts but you can also file your claims through our insurance services. Check to see if your practice is using one of our compatible practice management systems.
3. Are you increasing frame sales?
Boosting frame sales can increase your revenue significantly, and new frames are the fun part of our industry. Make buying new frames become an experience for you to get to know your patient so that you can satisfy their needs. This is your opportunity for personalities to shine, and when that happens you are able to stock up on the frames you know your customers want!
Solution: In order to incre1ase sales you must immediately review and refine sales techniques. Differentiate your practice and stand out. Check out this list of "10 Actions to Improve Your Optical Dispensary" on the Review of Optometric Business blog to improve frame sales.
4. Is your practice embracing social media?
It’s never too late to create a greater sense of visibility by placing your brand all over the net through social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter! It's an extension for your practice to interact with customers. Creating a relationship through social media can be vital to enhance your online presence.
Solution: Create a social media account or two that works best for your practice. Make sure someone at your practice educates themselves on all the resources these networks can provide. Get ready to build your online brand!
5. Are you utilizing social media facilitating tools?
Social media might get a little overwhelming from time to time. Fortunately, there are applications that allow you to consistently update every social media account you have in just one click!
Solution: Two of our favorite applications to integrate social media at VisionWeb are Tweetdeck and Hootsuite, which are FREE! These applications give you have the ability to monitor your posts, schedule them, and better organize your platforms in just one application. There are also applications with small fees such as Market Me Suite or Argyle Social, which have abilities that will certainly fascinate you!
6. Have you even thought about search engine optimization?
Statistically, most people don’t even go past the first page when they use Google, meaning when there are countless eyecare practices in your area, you may get lost in the crowd. Fortunately, there are ways to move your practice to the top, and this is FREE advertising!
Solution: Get your name out there; the more content you provide on the net, the quicker you’ll climb the ladder, and getting ahead on this opportunity will make your practice stand out. Creating a blog provides opportunities, because the more consistent you are, the more your name is seen by search engines. The fun thing about this is that you can do what you want with it!
7. Do you have an effective online reputation management policy?
Your practice's name is out there and people are writing things, good and bad. Accessing this information allows you the ability to know what your practice is doing effectively and areas of improvement that can be made. Just remember, these reviews are being seen by potential customers!
Solution: Google search yourself and your practice. Claim these review sites and learn from them! Develop a response policy to both positive and negative reviews to enhance your customers' experiences.
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