How to Tell if a Dental Marketing Company That Contacted You Is Legit

Navigating the world of dental marketing can feel a little like walking through a maze—confusing and filled with choices at every turn. When a dental marketing company reaches out to you, how can you be sure they're the real deal?
 
Here are some key indicators to help you determine if they are legitimate and potentially a good fit for your practice’s marketing needs. 

1. Transparent and Professional Online Presence

Clear Information:

Legitimate dental marketing companies have a well-designed website with clear, professional content. Check for information about their team’s expertise, the services they offer, and specific contact details. You should see a list of staff with pictures or, at the very least, senior management, which you can then confirm on LinkedIn. 

Client Testimonials and Case Studies:
Look for testimonials from other dentists and case studies. A credible company is proud to showcase its work, and this step also provides insight into its expertise and success in the dental industry. When you Google the name of the testimonial, you’ll find a link back to the marketing company at the bottom, suggesting this is a current customer and more likely to be a real testimonial.

2. Tailored Marketing Strategies

Customization over Generic Plans:

A credible company offers customized marketing plans, not one-size-fits-all solutions. They should be interested in your unique practice philosophy and goals. Ask other dentists in forums if they got identical quotes for marketing in very different places.  Marketing in NYC is way harder and more expensive than in a small rural town.

In-Depth Analysis:

If you take the first step, you should expect them to conduct an in-depth analysis of your current marketing goals, strategies, and audience.

3. Industry Knowledge and Compliance

Dental Industry Expertise:

The dental industry is unique, and a reputable company has a deep understanding of dental procedures, patient concerns, and industry trends. They should have created lots of dental websites before and be familiar with dental terminology. If they call your patients "customers,"  this is a red flag. You don't want YOUR website project to be the one they learn on.
(For the USA) HIPAA Compliance — They should also be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding about HIPAA compliance in marketing. 

4. Evidence of Success 

Proven ROI:

Ask for references, especially those who have been clients for years. Some companies can use black hat techniques to temporarily game Google's search results—but it won't last, and it will burn your reputation to the ground on Google.  Find a company with a long track record that has been doing it "right" for years.

Realistic Promises:

Be wary of companies that promise overnight success. SEO takes at least 3–6 months to fully mature, and people promising super-quick results are overpromising at best and outright lying at worst.

5. Clear Communication and Support

Regular Updates and Reports:

A credible dental marketing company should keep you informed of progress by offering regular updates and detailed reports on your marketing campaigns. Ask for a sample of their monthly reports and compare them to other companies. This is a huge part of the "deliverable" you're getting and how you'll hold them accountable.

Responsive Customer Service:

Pay attention to their responsiveness and willingness to answer your questions. Ask for references and bring this up specifically. One way to test this is by opening a ticket with them to fix your website. You don’t work with them yet, but if it takes a week to simply reply, that’s a red flag.

If they have phone support, call and see how long the hold time is. If no one answers because everyone is "busy serving other customers,”  try again a few times.  If no one ever answers, perhaps they never will. No phone number? That’s a problem.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line is that a legitimate dental marketing company will have a strong online presence, offer tailored strategies, demonstrate industry knowledge, provide evidence of success, and maintain clear communication. By considering all these factors, you can confidently decide if the company contacting you is the right partner to support your dental practice's growth.