What is SEO?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, a term that refers to the strategies that businesses use to be more easily found on the internet. This marketing strategy costs nothing, and it drives organic, relevant traffic to websites based on keywords and key-phrases. When people look for dentists on search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing, the ones with the best SEO show up at the top of the page. The key to SEO success is choosing the most relevant keywords to include in your website’s content, as well as knowing where to put them. Many businesses including dental practices will hire a marketing agency to optimize their web content for greater visibility on search engines.

Is SEO important for dental practices?

Yes. SEO is important for all businesses, but for dentists looking to grow their practice, acquire new patients, and be competitive in their local space, it is essential. Why?

• An online search is typically step one for someone looking for a new dentist
• Most won’t even scroll to the bottom of the first page of search results
• Your successful competitors are using it to acquire patients that could have been yours
• By doing continued SEO, you learn more about your target market and what they want

Here are 3 SEO pro-tips for dentists

Analyze the competition

Take a look at your successful competitors’ websites and analyze their content. Take note of the keywords and phrases and apply them to your own web content.

Utilize your unique attributes

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that you can include in your content, which typically produce much higher conversion rates than more general keywords. If you provide a service that your local competitors don’t, take advantage of long-tail keywords to ensure that people looking for that service find you at the top of their search results. Some examples of useful long-tail keywords are, “cosmetic dentist in Houston”, “emergency dental care in Houston”, or “oral surgery Houston”.

Invest in professional SEO strategy

Unfortunately, SEO is not a set-it-and-forget-it marketing strategy. It requires consistent monitoring and updating to ensure that it’s working. For this reason, many dental practices choose to work with a marketing agency that specializes in SEO for ongoing work.

If you are interested in helping your potential patients find you with a professionally managed SEO campaign, get in touch with the SEO experts at Plum Direct Marketing!