We’ve seen one mistake hold back more practices than almost anything else: guessing.
Guessing who the ideal patients are. Guessing how those patients find care. Guessing what the competition is doing.
The truth is, growth doesn’t come from guessing—it comes from clarity. And the fastest way to gain clarity is by looking closely at the local market.
That’s where the Mini Market Audit comes in. This simple, do-it-yourself process can be done in just an afternoon and shows exactly where opportunities exist to attract more patients.
Why Strategic Research Matters More Than Ever
The healthcare world is changing quickly. Patients aren’t just searching for the closest option anymore—they’re searching for convenience, trust, and proof of quality care. And where do they find those answers?
On Google. On Facebook. In reviews.
If a practice isn’t visible where patients are searching—or if a competitor looks stronger—then patients may never reach the front door.
That’s why strategic research is so powerful. By taking a clear look at the local market, practices can see:
- Who shows up in search results
- Which competitors are dominating reviews
- Where competitors are weak or invisible
- What opportunities exist to stand out
It’s like turning on the lights in a dark room. Suddenly, the full picture comes into view.
The 10-Minute Market Snapshot
The process doesn’t need to be complicated. A quick 10-minute scan can already reveal insights most practices miss.
Here’s how to do it:
- Draw Your Circle
- Use Google Maps to outline a 5–10 mile radius around the practice.
- This is the true local market. Most patients come from within this area.
- Use Google Maps to outline a 5–10 mile radius around the practice.
- Spot the Players
- Type in top services on Google and Facebook: “chiropractor near me,” “urgent care [city],” or “pediatric dentist [city].”
- Write down the practices that appear most often.
- Type in top services on Google and Facebook: “chiropractor near me,” “urgent care [city],” or “pediatric dentist [city].”
- Make a List
- Record the names, websites, and social profiles of those practices.
- Record the names, websites, and social profiles of those practices.
- Take Note
- Who has the strongest reviews?
- Who is paying for ads?
- Who posts regularly on social media?
- Who seems invisible?
- Who has the strongest reviews?
This quick scan alone can reveal which competitors are investing in visibility and which ones are leaving openings to capture more attention.
Going Deeper: The Mini Market Audit
The snapshot is useful, but a full Mini Market Audit provides a clearer and more actionable view. Here’s the step-by-step approach:
Step 1: The Google Test
Search for the top two or three services patients are most likely to look for:
- “Family dentist near me”
- “Physical therapy [city]”
- “Chiropractic adjustment [city]”
Review these results carefully:
- Google Ads: Who is paying to be on top?
- Map Pack: Which practices appear with pins and reviews?
- Organic Results: Who ranks naturally without ads?
Capture the top three names in each category.
Step 2: Review Check
Reviews are one of the most powerful decision drivers for patients. Compare competitors by noting:
- Number of reviews
- Average rating
- Words and phrases patients use (e.g., “friendly,” “fast,” “expensive,” “painful”)
This snapshot reveals how patients actually describe their experiences—and what matters most to them.
Step 3: Social Snapshot
Look at competitors on Facebook and Instagram. Notice:
- How often do they post
- What kind of content they share (tips, staff features, promotions)
- How much engagement their posts receive
Low activity or poor engagement signals an opportunity to stand out.
Step 4: Website First Impression
Visit each competitor’s homepage for just 30 seconds. Ask:
- Is it clear what they do?
- Does it look modern and trustworthy?
- Is the phone number or booking button easy to find?
If it feels confusing or cluttered, chances are patients feel the same.
Step 5: Score the Gaps
Review all the notes and highlight:
- Where the practice is already ahead
- Where competitors are clearly stronger
The goal is not to beat every competitor everywhere—it’s to find the biggest gaps and close them strategically.
Turning Audit Results into Action
The value of this process comes when the results drive action. For example:
- If a competitor has hundreds of reviews and the practice has only a handful, review generation should become a top priority.
- If competitor websites look polished but the practice site feels outdated, an upgrade may be necessary.
- If ads dominate search results, testing a small campaign may help gain visibility.
- If competitors are weak on social media, lean in and engage consistently.
Each gap is an opportunity to gain ground and win more patients.
Why Refreshing Quarterly Matters
Competitors are constantly changing—adding reviews, redesigning websites, running new ads. That’s why a Mini Market Audit works best when it’s refreshed every quarter.
Over time, this creates a reliable rhythm: awareness leads to adjustments, and adjustments lead to growth.
How Powr Connect Helps
Many practices love the audit process but struggle to keep everything organized. Powr Connect makes it easier to track competitor visibility, reviews, and social activity in one place.
Instead of starting from scratch each time, the data is saved and simple to update. That means every quarterly audit becomes faster, more accurate, and easier to act on.
The Growth Mindset That Separates Winning Practices
The practices that dominate their markets don’t always have the biggest budgets. What sets them apart is awareness. They know their market better, and they use that knowledge to make smart, strategic moves.
When guessing stops, strategy begins. That shift makes all the difference.
Your Next Step
Start small:
- Run the 10-minute market snapshot this week.
- Block one afternoon this month to complete the full Mini Market Audit.
The clarity gained will open new opportunities, guide better decisions, and lead to consistent growth.
Stop guessing. Start growing. The path to local domination begins with understanding the market right outside your door.
