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SEO

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Maximizing the Potential of Local Search for Your Dental Practice

by Naomi Cooper January 13, 2014

Maximizing the Potential of Local Search for Your Dental PracticeLast week we talked about the importance of incorporating modern SEO strategies in order to most effectively reach prospective patients searching online. This week we will narrow down the scope of SEO and discuss the strategy that matters most for dental practice owners.

There are two types of SEO (search engine optimization): traditional and local. Traditional SEO refers to optimizing a website so that it ranks high in all search engine results for a specific keyword.

Local SEO, on the other hand, is about optimizing a website so that it ranks high in search engine results based on that business’ location. And as local business owners, for dentists, local SEO is what counts.

A recent article from SEO expert Kris Jones highlights 7 areas of focus affecting your local SEO ranking.

If you are working with an SEO expert for your dental practice website, it is worth verifying that they are focusing on local SEO rather than traditional. It is much more cost effective to market to those most in need of your services: patients in and around your local community who are looking for a dentist!

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Dental Practice Websites: Committing to SEO in 2014

by Naomi Cooper January 5, 2014

Dental Practice Websites: Committing to SEO in 2014Online marketing has indelibly changed the way dentists market their practices. If you haven’t been keeping up with the latest strategies, 2014 is the perfect time to jump on board.

Take your dental practice website, for example. If it has been a few years since it was last updated, it is very likely that modern SEO (search engine optimization) tactics are not in play, making it more difficult for prospective patients to find your website.

As it has been said, the only constant in the world is change, and Google is no exception. There have been several significant updates to its search algorithms in just the past 12 months, and unless you are a full-time SEO specialist, it can be difficult to stay on top of.

For more details on these updates, you can read this article from Yahoo Business outlining the latest regarding Google’s updates, specifically named Hummingbird, Panda  & Penguin.

At the end if the day, when Google makes changes to the way the search engine ranks results, it affects not just big corporations, but all businesses trying to reach new customers. With the changes that have been implemented, you could be wasting money on ineffective and outdated SEO strategies.

For example, do you have a local SEO strategy? Are you prioritizing producing video for your website and YouTube channel? Do you have an on site blog that you contribute original content to on a regular basis? And if you’re still depending on a backlink strategy, you should know that Google is now more focused on social media engagement than links.

If you’re not sure what tactics your website relies on for SEO, don’t fret. Dentists should not feel as though they are responsible for executing SEO tactics themselves — as always, I strongly recommend outsourcing! Work with trusted professionals like Sesame Communications or WPromote and keep your online strategies — including SEO — functioning most effectively!

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Dental Marketing News: The New Google Updates

by Naomi Cooper May 21, 2013

Dental Marketing News: The New Google UpdatesThings are busy at Google. Last week the people behind the most popular search engine announced updates to their algorithm, as well as a total redesign for their social media site, Google+. Here is a very brief breakdown of the Google news and what it means for dentists.

Google Algorithm Updates

Google announced they will begin “rewarding” sites they deem to be a subject matter authority, with the reward being a higher ranking in the search results. Exactly how a website is determined to be a subject matter expert is measured by the number of clicks a website gets, the freshness of the content — even localization seems to be factored in. Why does this matter to dental practices? Now is the perfect time for dentists to commit to improving their online presence. Dentists have the opportunity to become the dental expert within their local area. Adding an on-siteblog to the practice website and broadcasting blog posts across social media profiles such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest can help to increase online reach while improving the website’s SEO at the same time.

Google+

Google’s social media component has gotten a major overhaul. The newsfeed has been streamlined and photos are predominantly featured…a seeming influence of Pinterest. Dentists should build upon the redesign by adding more photos and videos to their Google+ profiles, including pictures of the dentist, the team, shots of the practice, a welcome video and videos about common procedures. (Be sure to get a photo/video release signed by anyone appearing in any of the images or videos!) For more info on the new Google+, check out this blog from the online marketing experts at Qnary.

These are just 2 of the many updates Google has implemented recently. While always evolving, it’s safe to say Google and it’s components (search, Google+, Google+ Local and YouTube to name a few) continue to be a dominant force in the online marketing landscape today.

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SEO for Dentists: The Online Marketing Tactic Not to Be Ignored

by Naomi Cooper May 9, 2013

SEO for Dentists: The Online Marketing Tactic Not to Be IgnoredSearch engine optimization, or SEO as it’s more commonly called, is not just for large corporations. Businesses of all sizes, including dental practices, need to employ SEO tactics in order to drive traffic to their business websites, and cast a wider net in order to reach more Internet users.

Understanding SEO, however, is no simple feat. Strategies are constantly changing as Google and other major search engines often adapt their algorithms, sometimes on a daily basis. There is an entire industry of SEO specialists who spend their entire work week staying on top of and employing the latest tactics for their clients. Of course, dentists could take the time to study the science behind search engine optimization, but who really has the time?

For dentists who are looking to get a basic foundation of understanding of search engine optimization, check out this recent blog from the always informative Marketingprofs.com on how to (kinda) become an SEO expert in 10 minutes.

SEO isn’t just a passing trend; nor is it just for corporations. Dental practices of all sizes benefit from smart SEO practices. After all, patients won’t be able to find you if they don’t know you are there!

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Put the Power of Google to Work for Your Dental Practice

by Naomi Cooper December 5, 2012

Put the Power of Google to Work for Your Dental PracticeOnline Marketing…SEO and Websites…Social Media…

Dental practice marketing sure has changed over the past few years. The Internet, and especially social media, have completely changed the way you promote your practice. For beginners, this can be overwhelming. However it is essential to modernize your marketing techniques in order to grow your practice in this digital age.

The first name you need to understand – Google. At first glance, you may think it is just another search engine. In reality, it is so much more. It is an influential Internet powerhouse, and putting it to work for your dental practice is a smart way to reach new patients.

I recently wrote a guest blog for Sesame Communications on this very topic. I encourage you to take a look and challenge you to leverage the power of Google for your dental practice.

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Using Video to Promote Your Dental Practice

by Naomi Cooper December 4, 2012

Using Video to Promote Your Dental PracticeYouTube is now the Internet’s second-largest search engine. More than sixty hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute, and over four billion videos are viewed each day! Dentists around the globe are realizing that offering short videos on their websites and YouTube channels can be an effective part of an overall search engine optimization strategy.

Google bought YouTube in 2006, and therefore has a vested interest in promoting online video and increasing the importance of video in search engine results. Online videos play into Google’s algorithmic preference for fresh, relevant content so your practice is listed higher on Google searches. And the videos posted directly on YouTube drive YouTube search traffic to the practice website as well.

If you want to use video but are not sure what to talk about in the videos, here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • A welcome message from the dentist(s)
  • Introductions to each of the team members
  • A tour of the practice
  • Before and After videos or interviewing satisfied patients upon treatment completion
  • Answers to any frequently asked questions of the dentists or front desk team

Also, check out this informative blog Time to Become a Videographer from Fred Joyal, co-founder and CEO of 1-800-Dentist, and learn some other helpful tricks to help you get started.

Video is increasingly important for dentists to promote their practices online, and it is a great way for potential patients to get to know you before making their first appointment.

Have you posted videos of your practice online? What advice would you have for beginners? If you haven’t used video yet, what is stopping you from getting started?

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