This article discusses your options for the best website to review doctors so you can decide where to set up a professional profile.
In today’s digital world, many patients use the internet to evaluate doctors, and 91% consult online information about them. But with so many options out there, how can you make your practice the top choice for potential patients?
Online reviews can give you a major competitive edge when it comes to landing — and keeping — patients. To promote your business online and attract new patients, review management must be a priority.
You should have a presence on multiple review sites, too. BrightLocal found that 36% of consumers use two review sites when researching local businesses, and 41% use at least three, indicating that patients often cross-reference multiple platforms for a more complete view of a physician. Online ratings also influence choices almost as much as recommendations from friends or family, alongside other ways patients research providers.
In this article, we’ll go over the best review sites for local doctors and healthcare providers, so you know where to turn your attention.
We can help you create a positive online reputation, even if you’re starting from zero or rebounding from reputational damage. Call us at 941-259-4554 for more information about managing your online reviews.
Your Google Business Profile and Online Ratings
Every local business should have a presence on Google, and setting up your Google Business Profile makes it easy (and free!). This is possibly the most popular business review site around, so health professionals shouldn’t neglect it. Many patients check Google Business Profiles before choosing a doctor.
A Google Business Profile (GBP) helps your practice stand out in local Google search results and on Google Maps. Patients can learn the basics about your practice from your GBP, and those details should be complete and up to date, including your contact information, physical address, hours of operation, and photos with an accurate date.
Plus, your GBP will showcase your Google reviews and star rating. The more recent positive reviews you have, the better. The “sort by newest” feature on Google reviews is the most useful one, according to 47% of consumers.
Our clients come to us when they need to build or repair their online reputation and take control of their digital presence. Call us at 941-259-4554 to learn more.
6 Physician Rating Websites for Medical Professionals
Once you have your Google Business Profile set up and filled out, you can turn your focus to other review sites and physician rating websites specifically aimed at the healthcare industry. Consider setting up your doctor profile on these 6 medical review sites. Since 84% of patients check online physician reviews before booking appointments, and most physician rating websites still lack essential details, keeping profiles updated across multiple platforms provides more complete information.
Healthgrades
Healthgrades has over 13 million patient ratings, and you can search its database of healthcare providers by condition, name, or procedure to find a specialist for specific diseases. Search parameters include:
- COVID-19
- Densitry
- Family medicine
- Internal medicine
- Orthopedic surgery
- Pediatrics
- Top hospitals
You can also use Healthgrades to manage your insurance, book appointments online with health care providers, and review a complete profile. Details like education, years of experience, and certifications can be helpful when choosing the right doctor. Patients may also compare Healthgrades with a government directory or other sources. To manage your insurance, book appointments online with health care providers, and see if you qualify for any discounts.
RateMDs
RateMDs has more than 1.7 million listed healthcare providers and over 2.6 million doctor reviews to help you make an educated choice. Health care providers span a broad range of specialties, and you can use RateMDs to find doctors in the following areas:
- Acupuncturists
- Chiropractors
- Dermatologists
- Dietitans
- Immunologists
Additionally, you can search for emergency room doctors, family doctors, dentists and more.
Each healthcare provider’s profile includes basic information, such as their address and website URL, plus doctor ratings across several categories, including helpfulness, provider knowledge, bedside manner, punctuality, and staff. And, of course, you can read doctor reviews from real patients, though some open review sites let users leave reviews anonymously, so it’s wise to evaluate comments carefully. including helpfulness, knowledge, punctuality, and staff. And, of course, you can read doctor reviews from real patients.
RealSelf
Unlike the other websites on this list, RealSelf is specifically for finding and researching cosmetic treatment providers and board-certified plastic surgeons.
You can also verify board certification through the American Board of Medical Specialties database before booking a consultation with a new physician.
The site also lets you learn more about the procedures you’re considering, including:
- Botox
- Chemical peel
- Hair transplant
- Microneedling
- Tummy tuck
By clicking on a procedure, you’ll go to its “Ultimate Guide” page, which includes information like pros and cons, cost, pain level, and recovery tips. You can also read patient reviews, compare before-and-after pictures, and browse Q&As with real doctors. For a first visit, physician reviews can offer insight into quality. evel, and recovery tips. You can also read patient reviews, compare before-and-after pictures, and browse Q&As with real doctors.
Vitals
The Vitals website has doctor reviews for more than 9 million providers, including doctors and dentists. Vitals also provides ratings on bedside manner and wait time. You can search for a provider by your condition or a specific procedure, for example, and narrow down results by location.
You can also use Vitals to make appointments or search specifically for doctors who take your specific insurance. Additionally, you can see whether or not a provider on the Vitals site is accepting new patients, which can help support a patient-centered first visit and future follow-up care when looking for a new doctor.
WebMD
You may be most familiar with WebMD from your late-night online research to figure out what your symptoms mean, but the WebMD Care portal also lets you look for dentists and doctors in your area. Online, WebMD is one option, while U.S. News & World Report Health also offers a search tool to evaluate doctors.
There are more than 3 million physicians listed in WebMD’s database, and you can book online chat or video appointments with many of them, too, so any published profile information should be up to date. There’s also a hospital search that you can use to find the best care within a specialty.
Zocdoc
On Zocdoc you can search for a healthcare provider or search popular specialties and procedures, and providers or practices can also claim a free profile to improve visibility, which includes:
- Dental implants
- Optometrists
- Psychologists
- Rhinoplasty
- Urgent care
- X-Rays
You can narrow down results by location and insurance information, too, and verified information and current data can help patients compare options. Or, you can start by selecting your insurance plan and search for a doctor that way.
Zocdoc also lets you see which healthcare providers are known for short wait times, and you may be able to book an appointment online, though some listing enhancements may require a fee. Paying money for visibility does not guarantee better care, and patients should focus on review quality rather than paid visibility. may be able to book an appointment online as well.
Which Is the Best Website for Doctor Ratings and Patient Reviews?
When it comes to where to have an online presence and the sites to direct your patients to so they can leave reviews, the “best” site is the one that best matches what you offer, and responding to feedback can be importantly helpful for practices that want a more patient-centered online presence.
For example, if you’re not a plastic surgeon, you don’t have to set up a profile on a review site like RealSelf. If you offer a holistic healthcare service, you may want to focus on review sites like RateMDs, which include those specialties, rather than sites with a more traditional focus.
It’s best to create a profile on several review sites since patients often compare multiple sources, including Care Compare, a government tool for comparing healthcare providers, to get a more complete view. Among adults ages 50 to 80, 65% check ratings for doctors they consider, and 34% look for a new physician online, while only 8% use state medical boards for doctor research.
At InternetReputation.com, we provide online reputation management information for individuals and businesses seeking to create, grow, or repair their digital presence. Whether you’re prioritizing your personal or professional online reputation, our advice, services, and team of experts can help.
Get started with a free online reputation analysis by calling 941-259-4554 today.