As a dentist, you want patients who value quality care and are looking for the specific services you offer. That’s where local SEO comes in. It’s slightly different to regular Search Engine Optimization, which is focused on attracting visitors to your website. Local SEO isn’t just about getting more website visitors—it’s about attracting the right patients who are actively searching for your particular services in your area. You need to make sure you are showing up in the right local places online so you can get found.
Why Local SEO Matters for Your Practice
Think about how patients find dentists today. They’re not just asking friends for recommendations—they’re pulling out their phones and searching “dentist near me” or “cosmetic dentist in [your city].” If your practice isn’t optimized for these local searches, you’re missing out on patients who are ready to book appointments.
Start with Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile listing (formerly Google My Business) serves as your practice’s digital storefront within Google Search. Many people will look at your business’s Profile first, reviews second, and visit your website third. Make your Google Business Profile work harder for you by:
- Ensuring your practice information is accurate, complete, and up to date
- Adding high-quality photos of your office and team
- Selecting the right categories for your services
- Posting regular updates about your practice
- Responding promptly to patient reviews
Keep in mind that potential patients often make decisions based on what they see in Google search results before they ever visit your website. That’s why reviews are so important.
Leverage Patient Reviews
Patient reviews do double duty—they improve your local search rankings and help convert potential patients. You should develop a process to:
- Encourage satisfied patients to leave Google reviews
- Respond thoughtfully to all reviews
- Showcase positive reviews on your website or social media
- Address common concerns mentioned in reviews through your content
Remember, future patients often read reviews before making their first appointment. We have a whole blog about Reputation Management you should read if you’re serious about improving your reputation online.
Build Local Citations and Directories
In addition to your Google Business Profile, there are other directories that you can have a presence in to improve your local search rankings. And don’t forget Bing Places for Business—around 10% of the internet’s searches are done on Bing. Wherever you are listed, you should make sure your practice information is consistent across all online directories. This includes:
- Dental or healthcare-specific directories
- Local business directories
- Insurance provider directories
- Chamber of commerce listings
- Health and medical directories
Consistency in your practice information helps search engines trust and promote your business in local searches.
Optimize Your Website for Local Searches
Once your local directory presence is optimized, it’s time to make sure your website is ready for local searches. Your website needs to clearly signal to search engines where you’re located and what services you provide. You should focus on:
- Creating dedicated pages for each service you offer
- Including your city and neighborhood names naturally in your website copy
- Adding your complete NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information on every page
- Embedding a Google Map showing your location
- Having a page per practice location if you have multiple locations
- Creating content that addresses local dental concerns and needs
Start Attracting More Ideal Patients Near You
Effective local SEO isn’t about attempting every possible optimization at once. Start with the basics, see what works for your practice, and build from there. Focus on providing valuable information to potential patients in your area, and make it easy for them to find and choose your practice.
Want to develop a local SEO strategy tailored to your dental practice? Schedule a free consultation with us today to learn how we can help you attract more of your ideal patients.