Google is a major source of traffic for many healthcare websites. When it comes to booking doctor appointments, 57% of patients begin their search online. Patients looking for healthcare facilities on Google are serious about finding what they need.
Research shows that a significant portion of website traffic for major healthcare institutions comes from organic searches: 85% for Cleveland Clinic, 83% for Johns Hopkins Medicine, and 87% for Mayo Clinic.
However, achieving high rankings on Google involves more than just creating a website; it’s more complex now, especially since patients typically look for doctors nearby. To attract local traffic to your clinic, it’s crucial to focus on local SEO.
Local SEO is now essential for all modern medical and dental practices aiming to utilize the internet for growth and profitability. This article outlines 10 local SEO strategies to help your practice get noticed by the right audience.
What Is Local SEO?
Local SEO focuses on optimizing your website to rank higher in search results for specific geographic areas. For instance, a Nashville-based dental practice might aim to rank for searches like “dentists in Nashville.” When users search for phrases like “dentist near me,” search engines use location data to connect them with nearby businesses.
Local healthcare SEO is a powerful way to boost your medical practice’s online visibility. When executed correctly, it can place your practice among the top search results, increasing your chances of being found even if your website doesn’t appear on the front page.
Why Should Doctors and Dentists Consider Local SEO?
Most patients now turn to the internet when they need healthcare services. Rather than flipping through the yellow pages, they search online for key phrases like “dentist near me” to find and book appointments. To capture this digital-first audience, practices need to be visible in location-specific searches.
Local SEO allows you to optimize elements like your Google Business Profile, enabling you to reach relevant local searchers efficiently. Successfully ranking for local searches makes potential patients aware of your services, increasing the likelihood of them choosing your practice.
Implementing local SEO can boost foot traffic and revenue for your medical practice while reducing the need for costly online advertising. It places you on a level playing field with competitors, helping to capture a share of their patient base.
10 Practical Local SEO Strategies
Though some aspects of local SEO require time and dedication for rewarding results, getting started is relatively straightforward. Here are top local SEO strategies to enhance your practice’s online visibility:
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List Your Practice on Google Business Profile: Previously known as Google My Business, it connects small businesses to local audiences effectively, offering tools for optimized listings to attract patients.
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Double Down on Keyword Research: Essential for local SEO, keyword research identifies the optimal keywords that connect relevant user queries with your services.
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Capitalize on Google Posts: Use this feature to communicate directly with local audiences. Google Posts allow you to share timely content and updates, potentially increasing engagement and conversions.
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Health and Safety Attributes: Given pandemic-driven concerns, clearly outline health and safety protocols in your profile to reassure prospective patients.
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NAP and Office Hours Consistency: Ensure your practice’s name, address, phone number, and operating hours are accurate and consistent across all platforms to avoid potential customer service issues.
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Local Landing Pages: Direct your CTAs to location-specific landing pages that address local user concerns, enhancing engagement.
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Local Link Building: Establish your practice as part of the local community by acquiring backlinks from local websites, which signals credibility and improves local search rankings.
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Make Good Use of GBP Calls and Messages: Ensure reliable responses to calls and messages from your Google Business Profile to maintain positive customer interactions.
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Local Reviews: Encourage satisfied patients to leave positive reviews to bolster your practice’s online reputation and attract prospective patients.
- Multiple Professional Listings at One Address: Take advantage of Google’s allowance for multiple business listings at a shared location, but ensure distinct and accurate information for each listing.
Final Words
Local SEO can be a key driver of traffic and revenue for your practice by helping connect you with local patients. For optimal results, focus on maintaining an updated and well-optimized Google Business Profile. Once established, local SEO can significantly increase appointment bookings and enhance the growth of your medical practice.
Explore additional resources for healthcare SEO fundamentals and tips to further connect with virtual and local patient searches. Featured image credit: Shutterstock.
