While many pharmacy owners may think customers aren’t looking for them online apart from the usual opening hours and locations, the data suggests otherwise.
Using a combination of Google Trends data and the website data from a wide selection of pharmacy websites, we’ve found the top reasons people search for a local pharmacy online.
The amount of people searching for local pharmacies is growing annually, especially on smartphones, and they’re looking for a range of things from the specific brands you stock through to checking out the parking situation.
Your customers are making the decision to visit or avoid your pharmacy thanks to what they can find online about you - and it’s well within your reach to control that experience.
Here are the top reasons people search for pharmacies online.
10 reasons why your customers search for local pharmacies online
1. They want to know the closest pharmacy
For this reason, most people aren’t loyal to one pharmacy. They visit a pharmacy near their work, near their children’s school, near their doctor, and so on. When they’re unfamiliar to the area, the first thing they do is pick up their phone to find their closest pharmacy.
And the pharmacy with the strongest online presence in the area is the one that will be at the top of the list when they search.
Search terms: pharmacy near me, closest pharmacy, pharmacies in [suburb name]
Pharmacy X open hours?
2. They want to know the opening hours
Another common search term relating to pharmacies and chemists is for their trading hours.
These customers don’t just want to know the pharmacy’s regular opening hours, they want to know whether or not they trade on public holidays, and any special exceptions or late night trade options.
Search terms: what time does [pharmacy name] close, what time does [pharmacy name] open, is [pharmacy name] open on [public holiday name]
3. They want to know the services you offer
Customers aren’t going to waste their time shopping around at pharmacies until they find the service they’re looking for.
They want to know which pharmacies are providing influenza vaccinations, whooping cough shots, special medication and much more. They also want to know when you provide these services, and they want to book online.
Do you have a physiotherapist on site? Is there a naturopath available? Is there a medical clinic or doctor attached to your pharmacy?
Search terms: Does [pharmacy name] offer [service], what pharmacies offer [service name]
4. They want to know what products are on offer
There are so many different brands of vitamins, pain relief, medical equipment, first aid supplies, baby formula and more. If customers know the specific brand they’re looking for, they want to know if your pharmacy has it before they make the trip out.
Search terms: Does [pharmacy name] have [brand or medication name], what pharmacies stock [product name]
5. They want to know what parking is available
Customers looking for a convenient service want to know how hard it is going to be to access your pharmacy. This includes looking for parking information and especially pram parking and disabled parking. If you don’t have this informational available, they’ll go elsewhere.
Search terms: Pharmacy with pram parking, pharmacy with disability parking, easy access pharmacy
6. They want to know the price range
While most pharmacies charge a similar price for the same medications, customers don’t always know that. They want to know what prices they can expect and what their options are.
They also want to know that you provide tax invoices for health insurance rebates.
Search terms: Cheap pharmacies near me
7. They want to know delivery options
As the move towards convenient services such as Tonic and mobile doctors grow, customers are looking for simpler and easier ways to have their script filled. They want to know if their pharmacy can deliver their medication, especially the same day or the next day.
Search terms: Does [pharmacy name] offer delivery
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8. They want to know your medication packaging options
Managing multiple medications can be confusing, and customers from seniors to the young want to know if their pharmacy can organise their medication for them. The local pharmacies that spell out the options for them online will have an edge with what are obviously repeat customers..
Search terms: Does [pharmacy name] offer medicine packaging
Once a customer has visited your pharmacy a few times, they want to get to know you better. They are letting you into a very personal side of their lives and are trusting you and your team with their health and wellbeing.
Customers want to know your qualifications and how long you’ve been in the pharmacy business. It’s the opportunity that pharmacies claim they want but rarely achieve - to differentiate themselves from being just another pharmacy.
Search terms: What training do pharmacists have, are pharmacists doctors
10. Some customers want to know that you’re legitimate
Yes, the data shows some people who are unsure about you will actively look for your credentials. With many pharmacy options out there customers expect your pharmacy to be legitimate and will only come to you if they believe so.
As you are helping them manage their health and medications, they will want to ensure you are genuine. Before purchasing from you, they’ll check you’re licensed, have the correct permits to be practising as a pharmacy and look through your reviews.
Search terms: Is [pharmacy name] a legitimate pharmacy, [pharmacy name] review
Your website can answer all of the above questions and many more. The pharmacies that do will go a long way towards winning that coveted spot at or near the top of Google.
Our team will help you with personal attention. Shoot through your details on the form. You can even request Free Digital Coaching.
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