Local SEO for Dermatologists: How to Bring Your Practice to the Top of Local Searches
Imagine this: You’ve got a fantastic dermatology practice. Your team is top-notch, your equipment’s state-of-the-art, and you’ve got a steady flow of happy patients. But here’s the catch – people in your area still don’t know you exist. Why? Because when they search for “dermatologist near me,” your practice doesn’t show up. Frustrating, right?
That’s where local SEO comes into play.
Local SEO is like putting a bright neon sign on the internet, pointing potential patients straight to your door. It’s how you make sure that when someone in your area Googles "skin care help" or "mole check," your name is the first thing they see. So, let’s dive into how local SEO can work wonders for dermatologists.
Why Local SEO Should Be Your Secret Weapon
I’ll be blunt: If your dermatology practice isn’t showing up in local searches, you’re leaving a lot of potential patients out in the cold. 80% of people in the U.S. search for local businesses weekly, and 32% are doing this daily. That means a third of the people in your town are likely searching for services like yours right now! And get this – 46% of all Google searches have local intent, meaning almost half of all searches are people looking for businesses near them. If your practice isn’t showing up, you’re essentially invisible to all these potential patients.
The Five Key Steps to Winning at Local SEO
So, how do you go from being invisible to standing out like a diamond in the rough? It boils down to five steps:
- Optimize Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
- Use Local Keywords People Are Actually Typing
- Get More Glowing Online Reviews
- Build Citations and Get Backlinks
- Make Sure Your Website is Mobile-Friendly
1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Let’s start with the big one – your Google Business Profile (GBP). Think of it as your practice’s online storefront. It’s the first thing people see when they search for dermatology services in your area. A polished, well-stocked profile can make all the difference. Here’s a fun fact: Businesses with fully optimized profiles get 32.3% more visibility in the Google 3-pack (you know, the three businesses that show up right at the top of the search results) compared to those that don’t.
How to Spruce Up Your GBP
First things first, make sure your profile is complete. Fill out everything – name, address, phone number, website, and every service you offer, like skin cancer screenings or acne treatment. Think of it as dressing your practice for success. You wouldn’t show up to a patient consultation with half your coat buttoned, right?
Next, add some high-quality photos. People want to see where they’re headed and who they’ll be meeting. A clear, friendly picture of your office and team can make patients feel at home before they’ve even stepped through the door.
Lastly, keep your profile active. Post updates, share blog articles, or even drop a quick post about seasonal skin care tips. Regular activity tells Google (and your potential patients) that you’re not just sitting around twiddling your thumbs.
Learn more on how to generate more organic visits for your Google Business Profile.
2. Use Local Keywords: What Are People Searching For?
Keywords are like breadcrumbs leading people to your website. When people search for “dermatologist in [Your City],” you want your website to be the first one they find. But here’s the kicker: Not all keywords are created equal. You’ve got to use the ones people are actually typing into Google.
How to Find the Right Keywords
You can start by typing “dermatologist” into Google and see what suggestions pop up. It’s like asking Google, “Hey, what’s everyone else looking for?” Those suggestions are your low-hanging fruit – the easy wins.
You can also use keyword research tools like SEMrush or Google Keyword Planner. They help you find out what local folks are searching for, and, just as importantly, what you can rank for without fighting a keyword war with every other dermatologist in the country.
Once you’ve got your keywords, sprinkle them naturally throughout your website. But here’s a tip: Don’t overdo it. If you stuff too many keywords in there, Google will see right through you and you’ll end up sinking in the rankings faster than a stone in water.
3. Get More Glowing Online Reviews
Let’s be real: Reviews are the digital equivalent of word-of-mouth. A glowing review can be the difference between someone booking an appointment or moving on to the next practice. In fact, 90% of people read online reviews before visiting a local business. That’s a lot of folks weighing their decisions based on those shiny stars.
Learn more about the importance of Review Management and how to easily analyse the review sentiment to improve your services.
How to Get Patients to Leave Reviews (Without Feeling Awkward)
The easiest way? Just ask. After a successful appointment, when the patient is beaming, ask if they wouldn’t mind leaving a quick review. You can also send a follow-up email or text message with a direct link to your Google Business Profile.
And here’s a tip: Make the process as easy as possible. Nobody wants to click through 12 steps to leave a review. A quick click, type, and submit – that’s it.
Once you start getting reviews, respond to them. Thank people for their positive feedback, and if you get a negative review, be gracious and offer to resolve the issue. It shows you care and keeps the conversation going.
4. Build Citations and Backlinks
Citations are like online mentions of your practice, and backlinks are like endorsements from other websites. The more you have of both, the more Google sees you as the real deal.
Citation Building and keeping your business information accurate across the web is highly important. We explain you how you can easily automate this process using local SEO tools!
How to Build These SEO Boosters
Start by making sure your practice is listed on popular directories like Healthgrades, Zocdoc, and Yelp. These sites help spread your practice’s name across the web, and they’re trusted by both Google and potential patients. But consistency is key – your name, address, and phone number should be identical across every listing. Don’t confuse Google with mismatched info.
For backlinks, think of them as trust signals. If a respected site links to yours, it’s like them saying, “Hey, this dermatologist knows their stuff.” Collaborate with local businesses, or write guest posts for industry blogs. The more quality backlinks you earn, the better your site will rank.
5. Make Sure Your Website is Mobile-Friendly
Here’s a stat for you: 60% of all searches come from mobile devices. If your site looks like a jumbled mess on someone’s phone, you’re losing patients faster than you can say “404 error.”
How to Make Sure Your Website Looks Good on Any Device
A responsive design is key. It makes sure your site adjusts itself to fit any screen size, whether someone’s on their phone or laptop. You’ll also want to make sure your site loads fast. If it takes more than a few seconds to load, people will bounce quicker than a rubber ball. Finally, keep navigation simple. Large buttons, clear text, and easy menus go a long way in making your website a pleasant experience for visitors. Make it easy for them to find what they need – contact info, appointment booking, or a list of services.
The Bottom Line: Local SEO Isn’t a Luxury – It’s a Must
If you want more patients walking through your doors, local SEO is non-negotiable. By optimizing your Google Business Profile, using the right local keywords, gathering reviews, building citations, and making sure your website is mobile-friendly, you’re setting your practice up for success.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to give your dermatology practice the visibility it deserves. Get out there and start climbing those local search rankings – your future patients are just a click away.
Obenan helps you with automating and streamlining all important local SEO tasks to improve your online visibility and online reputation!
