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As a doctor or medical practice owner, you know that being visible online is crucial for attracting new patients. After all, nobody wants to have to search high and low for a good GP when their head feels like it’s about to explode (been there, done that). That’s why you need local SEO for doctors & medical practices to get more patients.
Why Doctors & Medical Practices need Local SEO?
But what exactly is local SEO, you ask? Well, it’s all about making sure that your practice pops up when people search for medical services in your area. Imagine someone in your town types “GP near me” into Google. Surely you want your practice to be one of the first results they see.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But I already have a website, surely that’s enough?” I’m afraid not, mate. A fancy website is all well and good, but it won’t do much good if nobody can find it. That’s where local SEO comes in. With local SEO you can attract more patients and keep your appointment book nice and full.
Local SEO Complete Guide for Doctors & Medical Practices
So, without further ado, let’s dive into some tips for boosting your local SEO as a doctor or medical practice:
Increase Your Local SEO Visibility as a Doctor
Claim your Google My Business listing
If you haven’t already done so, claim your Google My Business (GMB) listing as soon as possible. This is essentially a mini-website for your practice that shows up in Google’s local results. It should include your practice’s name, address, phone number, and opening hours. As well as any additional information you’d like to include (such as a description of your services or your team).
To claim your GMB listing, you’ll need to verify your practice’s address by post or phone. Once you’ve done this, you can start adding information and photos to your listing to make it more appealing to potential patients.
Encourage patients to leave reviews
Reviews are crucial for local SEO, as they show Google (and potential patients) that your practice is trustworthy and popular. Encourage your happy patients to leave reviews on your GMB listing, as well as on other review sites like Healthgrades and Yelp. Just be sure to keep an eye on your reviews and respond to any negative ones promptly – a bit of customer service goes a long way.
If you have a Google My Business listing, use Google Posts to share updates and promotions with potential patients. This can include information about new services or treatments, special offers, or events at your practice. Google Posts appear in the Google Maps listing for your practice and can help attract new patients to your practice.
Get listed in local directories
In addition to your GMB listing, get your practice listed in as many local directories as possible. This includes online directories like Yelp and Healthgrades, as well as any local business directories that are specific to your area. The more places your practice is listed, the more chances you have of being found online.
Get listed in online directories specific to your industry
In addition to local business directories, make sure to get your practice listed in online directories specific to the medical industry in Australia. This can include directories like the Australian Medical Association (AMA) or the Medical Board of Australia (MBA). These directories are often highly regarded by Google, and being listed in them can give your practice an extra boost in the search results.
Collaborate with other local businesses
Consider collaborating with other local businesses, such as fitness centers or wellness centers, to promote your practice and attract new patients. You can do this by sharing each other’s content on social media or by offering joint promotions or discounts to customers. This can help increase the visibility of your practice and build relationships with other businesses in your community.
Collaborate with local influencers
Consider collaborating with local influencers – such as bloggers, social media personalities, or journalists. You can do this by having them visit your practice and sharing their experiences on their social media profiles. You can also offer them special promotions or discounts. Collaborating with local influencers can help your medical practice reach larger audience.
Keep your online presence up to date
Make sure to keep your online presence up to date, including your website, social media profiles, and listings in local directories. This can help ensure that potential patients have accurate and current information about your practice and can make it more likely that they will choose to visit you.
Use Google Maps to your advantage
In addition to your Google My Business listing, make sure to also optimise your presence on Google Maps. This can include adding photos of your practice, including detailed information about your services and location, and encouraging patients to leave reviews. By optimising your presence on Google Maps, you can make it more likely that your practice will appear in the search results when people search for medical services in your area.
Boost Local SEO with Social Media
In addition to having a strong social media presence, you can also use social media to boost your local SEO. Make sure to include your practice’s name, address, and phone number on your social media profiles. Use local hashtags to make it easier for people in your area to find you.
You can also use social media to interact with patients and potential patients, answering their questions and responding to any reviews or feedback they leave. This can help improve your practice’s reputation and make it more likely that people will choose to visit you.
In addition to interacting with patients and promoting local events on social media, use your profiles to share patient success stories. This can include before and after photos, testimonials, or case studies of patients who have had positive experiences at your practice. Sharing patient success stories can help improve your practice’s reputation.
In addition to interacting with patients and potential patients on social media, use your profiles to promote local events and community initiatives in your area. This can help improve your practice’s reputation and make it more likely that people will choose to visit you.
Use your social media profiles to answer common questions and provide helpful information to potential patients. This can include sharing tips for maintaining good health, answering frequently asked questions about your services. Sharing resources and articles related to the medical field is also a good options. By providing helpful information on social media, you can establish your practice as a trusted resource. People will more likely choose to visit you.
Use your social media profiles to promote special offers and discounts to potential patients. This can include discounts on specific services, package deals, or seasonal promotions. By promoting special offers and discounts on social media, you can attract new patients and encourage existing patients to visit your practice more often.
Use your social media profiles to share patient reviews and testimonials to improve your practice’s reputation and encourage new patients to visit your practice. You can do this by sharing positive reviews and testimonials on your profiles. Or by including quotes from satisfied patients in your social media posts.
Apply Local SEO Keywords for Doctor
Use local keywords in your website’s content and metadata
Include local keywords – such as the name of your town or city – in the content and metadata of your website. For example, if your practice is based in Sydney, make sure to include terms like “Sydney GP” or “doctor in Sydney” on your website. Just don’t go overboard with the keywords – Google hates that.
Use local keywords in your website’s URL
Include local keywords in the URL of your website’s pages. For example, if your practice is located in Perth, you might want to use a URL like “www.yourpracticename.com.au/perth-gp” for a page about your GP services.
Use local language and slang
Include local language and slang in your website’s content and metadata to appeal to potential patients in your area. For example, if your practice is located in Brisbane, you might want to include terms like “Brisbane GP” or “doctor in Brissy” on your website.
Use local keywords in your website’s alt text and file names
Include local keywords in the alt text and file names of any images or media you upload to your website. This can help Google understand that your website is relevant to people searching for medical services in your area. It will increase the chance for your practice will appear in the search results.
Use local keywords in your website’s titles and descriptions
Include local keywords in the titles and descriptions of your website’s pages to help Google understand that your website is relevant to people searching for medical services in your area. You can also use local keywords in the file names and alt text of any images or media you upload to your website.
Use local keywords in your website’s content
Make sure you add local keywords your website’s pages content. You can also use local keywords in the headings and subheadings of your website’s pages. Don’t forget to put it as well in the anchor text of any links pointing to your website.
Use local keywords in your website’s image file names and alt text
Include local keywords in the file names and alt text of any images you upload to your website.
Use local keywords in your website’s headings and subheadings
Include local keywords in the headings and subheadings of your website’s pages. You can also use local keywords in the first paragraph of your website’s pages, as well as in the anchor text of any links pointing to your website
Include your practice’s location in the header and footer of your website. You can also include your location in the alt text of any images on your website, as well as in the file names of any videos or other media you upload
Include your practice’s location in the title tags and meta descriptions of your website’s pages. This can help Google understand that your website is relevant to people searching for medical services in your area, and make it more likely that your practice will appear in the search results.
Optimise your website for local search terms
In addition to using local keywords, optimise your website for local search terms that people in your area are likely to use. For example, if your practice is located in a beach town, you might want to include terms like “GP near the beach” or “doctor near the water” on your website. This can help attract patients who are searching for medical services in your specific location.
Technical Local SEO for Doctors & Medical Practices
Make sure your website is mobile-friendly
More and more people are using their phones to search for local businesses, so it’s essential that your website is mobile-friendly. Google favours mobile-friendly websites in its search results, so if yours isn’t up to scratch, you could be missing out on a lot of potential patients.
Use structured data on your website
Structured data is a way of formatting your website’s content so that it can be easily understood by search engines. By using structured data, you can give Google more information about your practice and make it easier for them to display your information in the search results.
There are several types of structured data you can use, including schema.org, which is specifically designed for the medical industry. By including structured data on your website, you can help Google understand the services you offer and make it easier for potential patients to find you online.
Optimise your website for voice search
Voice search is becoming increasingly popular, and it’s important to optimise your website for this type of search. This can include using long-tail keywords (such as “what are the best GP practices in Sydney?”) and making sure your website loads quickly.
By optimising your website for voice search, you can make it more likely that your practice will be one of the top results when people search for medical services in your area using voice assistants like Siri or Alexa.
Consider paid advertising
While organic search results are important, paid advertising can also be an effective way to attract new patients. By running targeted ads on Google or social media, you can reach people who are searching for medical services in your area and increase the visibility of your practice. Just be sure to track the results of your ads and adjust your strategy as needed to get the best ROI.
Consider hiring a local SEO expert
If you’re not sure where to start with local SEO or don’t have the time to handle it yourself, consider hiring a local SEO expert to help. A good SEO expert will be able to optimise your online presence for local searches and help attract more patients to your practice. Just be sure to do your research and choose a reputable expert who has experience working with medical practices.
Optimise your website for featured snippets
Featured snippets are short answers to common questions that appear at the top of Google’s search results. By adding featured snippets, you can make it more likely that your practice will appear in these highly visible positions. Write clear and concise answers to common questions about your practice or services on your website.
Use Google Analytics to track your local SEO efforts
Use Google Analytics to track the performance of your local SEO efforts. This can help you understand which tactics are working and which ones aren’t. Adjust your strategy as needed. Some key metrics to track include the number of local visitors to your website, the percentage of local website visitors who make an appointment, and the average length of time local visitors spend on your website.
Use Google Ads to target local customers
Consider using Google Ads to target local customers and promote your practice. With Google Ads, you can create targeted campaigns that appear in the search results when people search for medical services in your area. You can choose the specific location where your ads will appear, the budget for your campaign, and the keywords that will trigger your ads to appear. By using Google Ads, you can reach a larger audience and attract more patients to your practice.
Monitor your online reputation and respond to reviews
Monitor your online reputation and respond to any reviews or feedback left by patients or potential patients. Response the negative reviews to address any concerns or issues as well as thanking patients for their positive feedback. By monitoring your online reputation and responding to reviews, you can improve your practice’s reputation and make it more likely that people will choose to visit you.
Local SEO for Doctors: A Summary
To wrap things up, local SEO is a crucial part of getting new patients through the door. Making it more likely your practice appearing in the search results when people in your area are looking for doctors. Some tips for boosting your local SEO include claiming Google My Business listing, getting patients to leave reviews, and using local keywords in your website’s content & metadata. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly. And don’t forget to get listed in local and industry-specific directories.
Other things to consider are using structured data, optimising your website for voice search, making the most of social media. You can consider using paid advertising like Google Ads, and hiring a local SEO expert. You can also try using local language and slang. Optimise your website for local search terms. Sharing patient success stories. Collaborate with local businesses and influencers is a good opportunity. Don’t forget to keep an eye on your online reputation. By following these tips, you can improve your local SEO and bring more patients to your practice.
Top4 Marketing can get your Local SEO done
With over 23 years of experience, Top4 Marketing will help your medical practice create a succesful local SEO campaign.
For a free quote, contact us today.
Michael Doyle
Michael is a digital marketing powerhouse and the brain behind Top4 Marketing and top4.online. His know-how and over 23 years of experience make him a go-to resource for anyone looking to crush it in the digital space. To get the inside scoop on the latest and greatest in digital marketing, be sure to read his blog posts and follow him on LinkedIn.
