Dental practices have faced down many challenges this year. With COVID-19 restrictions, PPE shortages and lockdown measures that never seem to end, many dental practices are looking for ways to reach new clients online. Local Dental SEO is a great way to get your practice noticed by new local clients and grow your dental business.
So What Is Local SEO?
Local SEO is an online marketing strategy to improve your standings in local online searches. This means when customers search for a dentist near them and your business is listed nearby, your business will show up higher in the search engine rankings.
According to Local SEO Search Inc., Local SEO helps improve your practice’s online visibility and enables you to connect with local clients. Did you know that nearly 50% of searches using the phrase “near me” end up with an in-store visit, and almost 30% of all Google searches are related to a location? When customers search for services like “Oshawa Dentist”, a list of dental clinics in the area will show up.
So how do you improve your local SEO? Here are a few local SEO strategies to get you started.
A Great Website
Every great dental practice should have a website. Make sure you have a separate page for each dental service you offer, from dental implants to clear aligners. Ensure that your website is easy to navigate and check for any broken links or slow loading pages. Both of these are good ways to lose visitors and lower your search engine ranking so make sure everything works properly.
Google My Business
One of the most critical steps in local SEO is to register your business on Google My Business. Google My Business is the local online directory that Google uses to locate business on Google Maps. Setting up a listing is easy, just register your company and include your contact information, address and a short description. Make sure your information is accurate, or customers will have a hard time finding you.
Google My Business creates an online directory for your business that acts like another online presence. You can even add images, and Google makes it easy for customers to leave online reviews, which is another way to improve your search engine ranking.
Image by Firmbee from Pixabay
Regular and Relevant Blog Posts
Once you have a great website, regularly posting relevant articles about your area of expertise or business is a great SEO strategy. Pick local keywords to include in each post and create a relevant, well-written blog post.
You should include a mix of keywords that your customers might use to search for your business, such as family dentist or dentures. Also, consider local phrases such as local landmarks or recognizable topics.
Social Media
Social media like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are great ways to connect with local customers. Most social media sites have business pages you can create for your practice. These pages also show that you are part of the community. Include links to your blog posts on your social media site to help drive more traffic to your website.
Optimize for Mobile Users
One essential thing to remember is to optimize your website for mobile users. In 2019, 63% of Google searches were mobile users, and this number has only increased in the last few years. Be sure all those mobile customers can find your business and find the information they are looking for on their mobile devices.
Use these local SEO strategies to find new customers for your dental practice and boost your online presence. Or, hire a dental SEO company for professional help.
