If you’re a dentist, you know the importance of having a solid online presence. Not only is it important to attract new patients, but it’s also essential to keep your current patients up-to-date on your latest offerings. One great way to do both of those things is through local SEO. In this post, we’ll discuss what local SEO is and how you can use it to improve your dental practice’s online visibility.
Dentists have a unique opportunity when it comes to local SEO. Unlike other businesses, people generally look for a dentist in their area. This means that if you can optimise your website and local listings correctly, you will likely see a lot of success in terms of getting new patients. In this blog post, we will discuss some Local SEO tips for dentists that you can use to get started.
What does local SEO involve?
Local SEO is all about optimising your online presence so that people in your local area can find you. This includes optimising your website for Local SEO, claiming and filling out your Google My Business listing, and getting listed in Local Citations. All these things will help you rank higher in Local Search results, which is where people are looking when they want to find a dentist in their area.
Dentists – Getting started with Local SEO
To get started with Local SEO for your dental practice, the first step is creating and claiming your Google My Business listing. This free listing allows you to control how your business appears on Google Maps and in the Local Pack results. You’ll need to verify your listing by postcard, and then you can begin adding photos, hours of operation, services offered, and other important information about your practice.
Why is Local SEO important for dentists?
Local SEO is important for dentists because it is one of the best ways to get new patients. When people search for a dentist in their area, they are more likely to choose one that appears higher in the Local Search.
3-pack on google maps and the importance of ranking there
One of the essential parts of Local SEO is ranking in the Local Map Pack on Google. The Local Map Pack is the section of Google Maps that shows up when someone searches for a local business. It includes the three businesses that Google deems most relevant to that search.
How to rank in the 3-pack
There are a few things that you can do to try and rank in the Local Map Pack.
- Make sure your Google My Business listing is complete and up-to-date
- Encourage patients to leave reviews on your GMB listing
- Get local citations from high-quality websites (listings on directories or dental directories)
- One of the most important Local SEO ranking factors is citations. Citations are mentions of your business on other websites, even if there is no link back to your website. Google uses these to verify the accuracy of your business information across the web (Name, Address, Phone Number).
There are two types of local citations:
- structured (like online directories)
- and unstructured (mentions in news articles or blog posts)
What is a local citation?
A local citation is any mention of your business on the internet. This can be anything from your listing on a directory site to mentioning your practice in an article. Local citations help improve your visibility in the Local Map Pack because they show Google that your business is relevant and trustworthy. Why are local sources important? Local authority are essential for two main reasons: They improve your visibility in the Local Map Pack and help build trust with Google, leading to better rankings overall.
How to get local citations
There are a few ways to get local authorities: -Submit your business to directories like Yelp, Foursquare, Yahoo Local, Hotfrog, and Niche market. Accurate local citations are vital for SEO; you should have a valid address, business hours, category (dentist), and reviews.
Including Local Keywords
Include relevant local keywords in your website’s title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, and content. This will signal to Google that your website applies to searchers in your area looking for dental services.
How to include local keywords:
- If you are a dentist in Gauteng, some local keywords you might want to include are “dentist Sandton”, “teeth whitening Rosebank”, or “dental implants in Waterfall Country estate ”.
- If you have multiple locations, include local keywords targeting each location, like “dentist in Bryanston” and “dentist in Fourways”.
Negative reviews on Google My Business
The impact of online reviews on a dentist is significant. Potential patients will often research your online presence before booking an appointment, and positive reviews can decide whether or not they choose you over another dentist. Local SEO is how you ensure your website and online listings are optimised so potential patients in your area can find you easily when they search for a dentist online.
As a business owner, you can’t please everyone all the time. You’ll inevitably receive a negative review at some point – but what you can control is how you respond. A negative review on Google My Business can hurt your reputation and deter potential customers, so taking the time to craft a thoughtful response is essential.
Always keep your cool when responding to a negative review and avoid getting defensive. Address the reviewer by name, thank them for their feedback, and acknowledge that you’re sorry they had a negative experience. Then, invite them to contact you directly so you can resolve the issue. Finally, thank them for their feedback and let them know you’ll be using it to improve your business. Taking these steps can turn a negative situation into an opportunity to show potential customers that you’re committed to providing excellent service.
Use special attributes
If you own a business, it’s essential to ensure your listing is as complete and accurate as possible. One way to do this is to add unique attributes. Google My Business offers a range of special attributes that you can use to provide more information about your business. For example, you can use the “parking” attribute to let customers know whether you have on-site parking available. You can also use the “LGBTQ+” attribute to let customers know whether you offer a safe space for all. Adding these special attributes can help your business stand out from the competition and attract more customers.
Clear and visible contact information
Having clear and visible contact information on your website, business cards, and other marketing materials is essential. This way, potential customers can quickly contact you to ask questions, schedule appointments, or place orders. Include your name, phone number, email address, and mailing address. You may also want to include your social media handles so that people can follow you online. If you have a brick-and-mortar store, include the address and hours of operation. By making it easy for people to contact you, you’re more likely to convert leads into customers.
If you’re looking to improve your website’s local SEO, we can help. Our team at Trail Digital knows the ins and outs of how to help businesses rank on Google. We have a track record of success in getting our improving our clients’ rankings. In addition to on-page optimisation techniques like creating keyword-rich titles and meta descriptions, off-page optimisations such as building citations and generating reviews are essential for any local SEO campaign. Contact us today to get started!
