Local Off-Page SEO For Dentists Is Easy With Posts On GMB
A large percentage of potential patients looking for your practice online are going to get their first impression of you on Google maps. Google maps is Google’s local search application. If you’re not familiar with dental SEO local marketing, that’s okay. We’re going to break it down for you.
Google maps was developed by Google to help consumers looking for a local business find a solution. In the dental marketing industry it’s called ‘local SEO for dentists‘.
Local is a big deal. Considering that most dentists find more than 80% of their patients within a 5 mile radius, you should take this local SEO tip seriously.
What To Do To Beef Up Your Dental SEO
Use Google’s new Posts feature to help show that you’re active, knowledgeable, and personable!
Processing literally billions of searches every day, Google remains the #1 choice of people looking for information about local businesses and services. And what consumers see when they search has a huge impact on where they eventually decide to go.
In fact, Google reports that 76 percent of people who search for businesses nearby have changed their mind about where to go based on Google maps search results, and 28 percent of those searches result in a purchase.
When people search for a local business on Google, they’re ready to make a purchasing decision — so you need to make sure your dental practice’s Google My Business listing profile is the best it can be.
Apart from keeping your dental practice details updated and gaining positive reviews, there are other ways Google has introduced for you to establish initial rapport with people who search for your practice.
Most recently, they’ve introduced a posting capability to your GMB account. You can use to engage potential patients and provide valuable information where they’ll actually see it! Most importantly though, it’s going to help you rank higher on Google maps.
1. Login To Your GMB Account
If you’ve never before logged into your GMB account you may have to claim and verify the listing. If you have already done that then this is going to be real easy.
All you have to do is go to this link: https://business.google.com/
If you’re logged into the Google account that is a manager or owner of the GMB listing you’ll automatically see your listing.
2. Find The Posts Section In Your GMB Account
Your GMB listing has a ton of information in it and you should become familiar with how it’s set up.
On the left hand side of the screen after you’re logged in there is a tab titled ‘Post’. Click on that and you’ll be where you need to be.
3. Create Your SEO Post
Upload an image and write the text for your post.
Keep it short, this is not like a blog post. You should keep your words to about 150- 250 words-ish. Most importantly you need to link back to your website. You can do that in the text or you can embed a link in the Learn More button.
In the example here notice that I’ve included the address of the Orthopedic surgeon, a link to his website, a link to his GMB account and there is also a link in the Learn More button.
Adding all of this information helps send signals to Google, which makes the connection between your Google maps listing and your website. in the long run this is how you’ll improve your new patient inbound phone calls with Google maps.
Remember, it’s not your website that is ranking in the Google maps section, it’s your GMB account. Connecting in every way possible your GMB account and your website is vital to local dental SEO.
4. Publish Your Post
This is the easy part. Just click the publish button and you’re good to go.
Local Off Page SEO Tip For Dental Practices
Keep in mind that consistency is key when it comes to off-page dental SEO, especially with posting to your GMB account.
Make sure you’re consistently providing fresh new content and linking from your posts on your GMB account back to your website. ! I recommend that you post at least once a week.
Your local dental SEO and Google maps rankings is one of your most important marketing assets. We know, we’e been optimizing and watching practices for years and some practices have seen a doubling of new patients.
Don’t miss any opportunity to make your practice rank higher on the Google map. With Google Posts, keep everyone up-to-date on special offers, events, blog articles, team milestones, and all the other great things happening in your practice!
Adrian Lefler is the CEO and Co-Founder of My Social Practice and a recognized dental marketing expert with nearly two decades of experience. He is a trusted voice in dental marketing, AI in dentistry, and emerging technology, and he hosts BYTE SIZED, a podcast focused on dental AI, innovation, and technology.
[Byte Sized Podcast Ep. 44] Why Dental AI Rollouts Stall Before They Start (It’s Not the Technology)
