When a patient is visiting your office, it is crucial to create a positive and personal experience from the beginning to the end of their visit. From the moment they walk in the door, your clients should feel welcomed and comfortable with you and your staff. According to Courtney Dryer, OD from Review of Optometric Business, “Great atmosphere is vital in building patient loyalty and goodwill toward your office.”

As part of building trust with your patients, Daniel Rostenne and Nancy Rausman from EyeCarePro explain why it is important to not enforce penalties if patients chose to fill their prescriptions else where, “Tactics that aim to deter potential customers with a penalty will hurt you in the end.” Instead, allow your client to naturally gravitate to your services and allow them to view it as a privilege to buy from you versus a cold, impersonal online retailer. In turn, your relationship will grow and last infinitely.

Another way for you to educate your clients on the best products offered on the market is to have them properly displayed in your office for all to see! Take the necessary time to create an attractive and engaging display case for patients to view your products. Diane Palombi, OD from Review of Optometric Business advises, “You could show displays that pair a high-end brand with other accessories like purses or scarves, to emphasize the style opportunities you offer with your products. You want to show patients that getting the exact brand they have in mind is part of getting the exact total look they want.”

In the end, eye care professionals can and are standing up to online retailers. Creating personal relationships, building loyalty and trust, and receiving guidance through the process is something you just can’t buy online.