Whether you are a private practitioner, own a hospital, or work in a hospital, if you have not created a business profile for your healthcare practice or yourself, you are losing patients who are searching for your services online.
SEO is a big game; no one ranks nationally overnight. It is a gradual process; therefore, you must rank locally by applying Local SEO strategies for healthcare practices.
So, if you are a healthcare professional who wants to rank on Google for local listings, this blog is a must-read for you. We’ll discuss tried and tested methods for local SEO for healthcare practices in detail. If you’re overwhelmed by the technical aspects of SEO, consider partnering with a professional SEO company specializing in healthcare.
Let’s begin!
People Cannot Find You Over The Internet – YES! It is as simple as that.
You might have put a signboard with your hospital’s name or your name outside your hospital. The benefit of doing this is that the people living in that area will learn about your practice and, if needed, visit your clinic, right?
But what if you wish all of the people living in that particular area and the nearby area to know about your profession? This is where local SEO for healthcare comes into the picture. Creating a digital presence for your practice makes you visible on Google, and your patients can search for you.
However, just by creating a profile, you won’t rank on page 1 of Google. That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes into the picture. It is only by optimizing your profile that you will be able to
Local SEO is like building a strong and healthy body for your online presence. Just like a healthy body requires a combination of good nutrition, exercise, and rest, local SEO involves various factors working together for optimal results. Let’s discuss one by one.
Google My Business is a free listing service provided by Google. Watch this video to learn how to create a GMB profile.
Here’s a quick example of what a GMB profile looks like. Suppose we search for ‘Family Physician near me,” and Google displays the following results.
When it comes to optimizing your profile for ranking in search results, it is essential to add important information like:
GMB for doctors differs from other professions. For example, if you are a doctor practicing in one location, you can have a GMB listing for your name.
Alternatively, if you are a doctor visiting different hospitals at different times, you can have separate listings for each. However, it is necessary to note that the business hours mentioned in different Google My Business Listings do not clash.
Caption: How to create multiple GMB listings with the same phone number
You can add links and buttons to the GMB page. If you are rendering different services, creating a separate landing page for each service is good. For example, consider the landing page created for Dr. Anjali Saple’s website.
It is specifically designed for ‘gynecomastia’ as it is one of her essential services. The doctor wishes patients to get complete information about it from the landing page and book appointments.
Imagine you’re conversing with a visitor who needs to speak your language. You can still communicate effectively by pointing and using simple gestures. Schema markup works similarly for search engines.
Schema markup is a code you add to your website that helps search engines understand your content better. It’s like providing clear labels and descriptions in a language that search engines can easily comprehend.
Using schema markup, you can tell search engines exactly what kind of healthcare services you offer, your location, opening hours, and even your insurance information. This translates into richer search results for patients.
Imagine a patient searching online for a doctor. They might not just type in “dermatologist”; they might search for “best dermatologist near me” or “acne treatment [Your City]”. This is where local keywords come in.
Local keywords are phrases that combine general healthcare terms with geographic locations. By strategically using these keywords throughout your website content, you make it easier for local patients to find you online.
A generic sign might say “Dermatology Clinic,” but a more effective sign might say “[Your Clinic Name] – Dermatologist in [Your City]”. Local keywords act like that targeted sign, attracting patients searching for healthcare services in your area.
Also, consider the terms people may search for to learn about the services you render and try to include them in your content.
Many patients research doctors, schedule appointments, and even access medical information directly from their phones. That's why ensuring your website is mobile-friendly is no longer optional; it's essential for local SEO and attracting new patients.
In today's fast-paced world, convenience reigns supreme. People expect a seamless experience when scheduling healthcare appointments. Offering online appointment booking provides several advantages for both patients and your practice:
Online appointment booking goes hand-in-hand with local SEO. Here’s how:
There are several user-friendly online appointment booking solutions available. Look for features like:
By prioritizing online appointment booking as part of your local SEO strategy, you create a user-friendly experience that attracts new patients and keeps existing ones coming back.
Local link-building is a crucial strategy for boosting your healthcare practice's local SEO ranking. However, with Google's ever-evolving core updates, the focus has shifted from quantity to quality backlinks. Here's how you can build high-quality local links specific to the healthcare industry:
Imagine you're conversing with a new patient who lives in your area. You wouldn't use complex medical jargon. NO! You'd tailor your explanation to their specific needs and concerns. Localizing your website content follows the same principle. It's about creating content that resonates with your local target audience and establishes your practice as a trusted neighbour.
The healthcare landscape has undergone a significant shift. Patients are increasingly tech-savvy and rely heavily on online reviews to make informed decisions about their healthcare providers.
There are several ways to encourage patients to leave positive online reviews:
Don’t shy away from negative reviews. Here’s how to handle them effectively:
By actively managing your online reputation, you can turn negative reviews into opportunities for improvement and demonstrate your dedication to patient satisfaction.
Imagine a well-organized library. Books on similar topics are placed close together, and clear signage helps you navigate different sections. Internal linking functions similarly for your website, creating a user-friendly experience and boosting SEO.
Internal linking involves creating hyperlinks between pages on your website. When users click on an internal link, they’re directed to another relevant page within your website. This serves several purposes:
By linking relevant pages together, you distribute “link juice” (ranking power) throughout your website, potentially boosting the ranking of all your pages.
Have you ever tried venturing out into an unknown area without GPS? Yes! It will be hard to reach the destination.You might get somewhere eventually, but it wouldn't be efficient.
The same applies to local SEO for healthcare practices. Keyword research and result monitoring are your roadmap to success, helping you understand what patients are searching for and how your website performs in the local search landscape.
Keyword research is the foundation of any effective SEO strategy. Here’s how it works for healthcare practices:
Once you've implemented your SEO strategy based on keyword research, tracking your progress is crucial. Here's how result monitoring helps:
Conquering the local healthcare market requires a strategic approach. While the blog you referenced provides a strong foundation for local SEO, one crucial element needs to be added: competition analysis. It's like planning a hike without a map – you might reach your destination eventually, but a well-researched path takes you there faster and with fewer detours.
Understanding your competitors’ SEO strengths and weaknesses allows you to:
In today’s digital age, attracting new patients requires a solid online presence. This blog has equipped you with a roadmap to local SEO success for your healthcare practice.
By implementing these strategies, from optimizing your Google My Business profile to building a solid online reputation, you can position your practice as a trusted and accessible healthcare provider in your local community.
Consistent effort and monitoring results are crucial to climbing the local search rankings and attracting more patients through your website. Take control of your online presence and watch your patient base flourish!