5 Essential Local SEO Tips Every Dentist Should Know

As Dentist, we understand that you are usually busier than you would like to be. You may not have the time or resources to focus on local SEO strategies, but if so, you are missing a huge opportunity! Local SEO can help you reach your target audience and generate more revenue. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most effective ways for dentists to optimize their websites for local search results so that they can attract new patients and grow their practice.

What Is Local SEO and Why Is It Important?

Local SEO is the process of optimizing a website for ranking on search engines when people enter their location or city into the query box. This can be done with keywords, optimized content, and links to your site from other sites in that area. Local SEO helps local businesses take advantage of search engine results pages (SERPs) by being listed near relevant search results and being displayed higher. This will require some time and effort on your part, but it is worth the investment.

1. Research Local Dental Keywords

Researching keywords for your dental practice is as simple as entering keywords in Google’s search bar.  If you have a particular service that is popular with patients, enter the phrase in Google and see which keywords come up. For example, if your dental practice specializes in full-mouth reconstruction, entering “Dentist Full Mouth Reconstruction” will take you to a list of websites that offer the same services.

Keep in mind the user intent when you read through the ranking content. Once you determine the intent of the keyword, you should start creating content for your audience that matches the purpose.

2. Optimize Your Google Business Page

If you haven’t already, create a Google Business Profile. This is the first step in optimizing your search engine rankings on Google.

To maximize your Google Business Profile, you should ensure that all the information you put on the page is accurate. Consider incorporating your researched keywords into the business description. You can also add photos and videos of your office to show potential clients what they are getting into when they come to see you for their dental appointment!

3. Optimise Your Website for Local Search

It is important to optimize your website for local search so that you rank higher in the maps and searches on Google. Here are some strategies to optimize your website for local search:

• Ensure that you have a physical address on the homepage of your site.
• Maintain an accurate business location in Google Maps so it reflects accurately on the reviews, ratings, and maps listings.
• Include keywords related to dentistry such as dentist or dental office in prominent areas throughout your site promoting different aspects of what you offer (and use these appropriate keywords within meta descriptions).
• Be sure that both phone numbers on your contact page link back to where they belong—either by fixing any broken links or linking them correctly from other pages on your site. But don’t include more than one number unless there is no answer at one number during normal business hours.

4. Control Your Dental Yelp Listing

Yelp is a popular online directory for local reviews. When you create a yelp page for your healthcare practice, patients who search for dental services in your area can easily find information about you.  A Yelp listing for your healthcare practice can help to increase awareness about the services you offer.  

You’ll need to fill out general contact details such as an address, phone number, and email; hours of operation; photos or videos; reviews from customers (optional); services offered at your dental office (dentistry-related).

5. Participate in Reputable Dentist Forums

Be a part of reputable dental forums on the internet, which are designed for dentists to share information and ask questions about their profession.  

These online communities are a great way to network with other professionals in your industry, as well as get up-to-date news that might not be covered by traditional media outlets.  

In many cases, website owners will allow you to post comments without having an account—so it costs nothing!  Furthermore, you can also add your website’s URL at the bottom of your comments which will help increase your site traffic whenever forum members click the link.

Conclusion

To get the best results from this process, you need to be consistent over a long period of time. You can’t expect instant gratification and see immediate success with these steps. Even if you don’t reach featured business status, following this process will quickly drive your local business to better rankings in Google Maps.