In today’s healthcare landscape, podiatrists must adopt a digital-first approach to podiatry marketing. The days of relying solely on physician referrals are behind us, as patients now extensively use digital channels to research and compare podiatry care—even researching physician referrals online before they book an appointment.
For podiatry practices, depending exclusively on referrals is a risky strategy. You must diversify how you get new patients by taking control of your podiatry marketing strategy. Practices with strong marketing strategies aren’t just surviving—they’re thriving and consistently attracting more patients.
Step 1. Build a Strong Podiatry Website Presence
Your website serves as the digital front door to your practice and is the foundation of effective podiatrist marketing.
To maximize its impact, focus on:
- Clear calls-to-action (CTAs) that guide potential patients toward scheduling appointments
- Comprehensive patient education content covering the wide range of conditions you treat and services you offer
- Establishing empathy and authority by showcasing your expertise and patient success stories
- Fast loading speeds and intuitive navigation so visitors can quickly find what they’re looking for
As a podiatry practice, you’ll need more extensive content than other medical specialties due to the breadth of conditions you treat—from bunions and plantar fasciitis to diabetic foot care and sports injuries.
Step 2. Implement a CRM for New Patient Leads
A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is vital for tracking all incoming patient inquiries. By implementing a HIPAA-compliant CRM, your podiatry marketing efforts become measurable and more effective:
- Track all incoming phone calls and form submissions
- Establish marketing attribution to understand which channels drive appointments
- Follow up systematically with potential patients who show interest
- Analyze conversion rates to refine your podiatry marketing strategy
With proper lead tracking, you’ll gain valuable insights into which marketing investments deliver the best return.
Step 3. Establish a Local SEO Foundation
Local SEO is the most important type of SEO because the Google Business Profile listings for your podiatry practice are responsible for many of the localized searches and of the primary ways that patients evaluate you against competitors. To build a strong local presence:
- Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile listings for your practice locations
- Create separate Google Business Profiles for your practice and your individual physicians
- Implement a systematic approach to gathering 5-star patient reviews
The more positive reviews your practice accumulates, the more visible Google will make your practice in local searches. Remember that patients overwhelmingly choose practices with more positive reviews when making healthcare decisions.
Step 4. Launch Google Search Ads to Get More Podiatry Patients
Google Search Ads represent one of the most direct ways to attract new patients because they target people actively searching for podiatry treatments:
- Focus on high-intent search terms like “podiatrist near me” or specific treatments such as “bunion surgery” – these patients are much closer to booking an appointment
- Limit geographic targeting to zip codes where you’ve historically drawn patients
- Create landing pages specific to your highest priority treatments
- Monitor and optimize your campaigns based on which keywords drive actual office visits and procedures
For most podiatry marketing campaigns, Google Ads provide the fastest path to new patient acquisition.
Related Reading: Case Study – Graff Foot, Ankle & Wound Care
Step 5. Expand to Meta Advertising
Once you’ve maximized your Google Ads potential, expanding to Meta platforms (Facebook & Instagram) can help reach additional potential patients:
- Begin with remarketing campaigns – these campaigns target previous website visitors who didn’t convert
- Develop brand awareness campaigns highlighting your practice’s unique value proposition
- Promote priority treatments with engaging visual content
- Use testimonials to demonstrate outcomes
Meta advertising complements your podiatrist marketing strategy by reaching patients who may not have heard of your practice.
Measuring Success
Effective podiatry marketing requires careful measurement:
- Focus on metrics that matter: appointments booked, new patients acquired, and treatments performed
- Establish a feedback loop between your front office staff and marketing team
- Set appropriate expectations—Google Ads may drive quick results, while SEO builds long-term sustainable growth
- Regularly review marketing performance data to adjust strategies accordingly
The most successful practices maintain consistent communication between clinical, administrative, and marketing personnel to ensure all patient inquiries receive prompt, helpful responses.
Conclusion
Implementing these five podiatry marketing strategies creates a comprehensive approach that will drive patient growth for your practice. However, execution matters—working with marketing experts like RUNNER who are experienced in podiatry marketing will significantly accelerate your results.
If you’re ready to grow your practice and attract more patients, request a free consultation with a RUNNER marketing expert who understands the unique challenges and opportunities in marketing podiatry practices.
By taking control of your digital presence and implementing these proven strategies, your podiatry practice will be positioned for sustainable growth in the years ahead.
