Top 5 Problems Dental Offices Face on Google (and How to Overcome Them)
Every dentist and dental office needs a prominent position on Google if they want to attract enough local patients to succeed. Unfortunately, like most small businesses, they lack the in-depth understanding needed to rank high in local search and on Google Maps The following five problems get in the way of attracting individuals and families who need the excellent service their dental practice provides.
Every dentist and dental office needs a prominent position on Google if they want to attract enough local patients to succeed. Unfortunately, like most small businesses, they lack the in-depth understanding needed to rank high in local search and on Google Maps The following five problems get in the way of attracting individuals and families who need the excellent service their dental practice provides.
1 – Failure to Claim the Google My Business Page
A quick trip to Google.com/business makes it possible to claim the dental practice’s page with ease. Choose the correct business category, add all pertinent information, and capture attention with on-site or in-office photos. Not only does this put the office on the most popular digital map for searching service providers, but it also helps boost position in the search engine results. Failure to claim the page may leave the dentist with an unattractive and incomplete automatic listing that does no favors for overall business success.
2 – Inconsistent NAP Across Platforms
The dentist’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) must be exactly the same everywhere it appears online to convince Google of its validity. The search engine cross references this data constantly. Also, standardizing all information helps patients find and trust the dental office more easily. This makes dental practice inclusion in major directories like Yelp even more effective. After all, the ability for potential patients to find the excellent reviews and ratings is an important part of marketing.
3 – Lack of a Professional, Mobile-Friendly, and Fast Website
Every dentist and dental practice must have a high-quality website that is technically and aesthetically professional. Not only does it need all essential information about the dentists, office location, services offered, and appointment scheduling, but it also needs clean code, fast load times, and appropriate upgrades. Use the Google Page Speed Insight tool to ensure site speed above ninety. Do not rely on directory listings or social media pages alone. A well-designed website indicates a level of professionalism and excellence not found elsewhere.
4 – Insufficient Local Keywords and Search Engine Optimization
Local SEO for dentists makes all the difference when it comes to ranking high on Google. While this includes things like the My Business page and consistent NAP, the content on the site and backlinks to it affect visibility more. Build a large collection of quality backlinks pointing to the different pages on the site. Create sufficient textual and graphic content to satisfy search engines and site visitors. Use geo-specific keyword phrases to grab people who search for “dentist or dental practice near me.”
5 – Setting and Forgetting Everything
Online marketing and achieving high placement in Google search results are not due to one-time efforts. Competing dental practices and new dentists in the area will vie for top positions constantly. Add new content to the website. Keep the Google My Business page updated. Research new keyword possibilities and use them effectively. Keep an eye on the competition and outpace their efforts to stay on top.
