In the era of digital marketing and modern technology, we are all striving for those coveted top spots on Google. We all aim to be the first or among the first results on Google’s search engine result pages.
This is the cold, hard truth no matter what industry we are operating in. However, the healthcare industry has even more challenges when it comes to online visibility and brand awareness. Healthcare providers have to optimize their websites to reach their target audience. If potential consumers can’t find a suitable health care provider in their time of need, that’s a missed opportunity for potential conversion.
Search engine optimization is critical. But what exactly should healthcare providers focus on?
Always think locally — local SEO
Firstly, this has to start with local SEO. If you are a dermatologist in the Tampa area, you can’t miss the opportunity to reach out to your fellow Tampans. You won’t get much business from reaching an audience in Cleveland. Your clients are most likely local, and they need to be able to reach you immediately.
Therefore, having Scott Keever, SEO is essential. You need to optimize your website content in such a way that when a potential client enters your specialty and location in the Google search bar, your name is the first result to pop up.
More than 70% of Google searches are local. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that you need to have a local SEO expert. After all, most of your business relies on people who live near you. Establishing a strong local presence in your community is a must as well. We’ll talk more about that when we get to the social media segment.
Targeting the right keywords
One of the crucial things for SEO is to choose and target the right keywords. Starting your keyword planning is easy — first, make a list. Sit down with your coworkers and make a list of all the keywords and key phrases you can think of. Write down anything a potential client would type in the search bar when in need of your services.
You can also make a quick survey among your current clients to see which searches led them to your office. However, keep in mind that choosing the right keywords and incorporating them into your content in a natural way is no easy task. Therefore, you might want to consult a professional about this.
Keywords are crucial for search engines as well. They inform the algorithm what your page is about. Therefore, make sure to include keywords that are relevant to your field of specialty as well.
Furthermore, the keywords you incorporate into your content should also be location-based. You also shouldn’t forget long tail keywords. Sometimes, people just search for “dermatologist in Tampa”, but more often than not, they will search for “best dermatologist in Tampa” or “affordable dermatologist in Tampa.” Therefore, you have to make sure that your page pops up no matter what kind of a search your potential clients conduct.
Compelling, simple content
Search Engine Optimization relies heavily on high-quality content. There’s a saying in digital marketing: “Content is king.” And it’s true — nothing beats a great piece of optimized content.
However, healthcare providers have to be mindful while creating content. The medical field and related terminology can seem off-putting to most people. Therefore, the content has to be simple and straightforward. Try using common, simple language whenever that’s possible. Of course, the correct verbiage is important, especially in medicine. However, that doesn’t mean that you need to be heavy-handed when it comes to medical terms because that will confuse your potential clients and make them move on to another provider’s page.
Furthermore, an SEO expert should always include unique content that’s engaging and appealing to the reader. You can’t just write an “About Us” page and be done with it. You can use original content to attract more visitors and educate them. Blog posts, studies, articles about medical breakthroughs, infographics relevant to your field — this type of content will give more value to your website.
What’s more, original content will give you an opportunity to target the desired keywords. However, make sure you never compromise quality so that you could stuff keywords everywhere. That’s inhospitable, and it won’t give you the desired effect.
Online reviews and social media presence
Online reviews, positive comments, posts on social media, and testimonials serve as social proof. People tend to believe online reviews as much as they believe a recommendation from a close friend. Therefore, not including online reviews and testimonials on your webpage would be a missed opportunity.
However, online reviews affect more than just the public opinion. They also influence local search engine rankings. Thus, encouraging your satisfied customers to leave positive online reviews will have a fantastic effect on your search engine rankings and your overall business.
Furthermore, establishing an online presence is also an essential part of search engine optimization. Being active on social media and engaging with your target audience will do wonders for your brand visibility and awareness.
Social networks are great platforms for promoting your content and your business. What’s more, they are an effective way to provide actionable, ever-present customer service. However, most importantly, they are a fantastic way to establish and maintain relationships with your current and future clients.
Mobile search optimization
In the digital era, not optimizing for mobile search is business suicide. Practically everyone does research while on the move. Therefore, it’s critical to make your website mobile-friendly. That means making your website easy to navigate and quick to load on a mobile device, as well as making the text easy to read.
Mobile search optimization goes hand in hand with local SEO. You want to make sure that people on the move can find you when they are searching for a specialist in their vicinity. With more than 50% of searches being conducted via a mobile device, mobile search optimization should be high on the list
A few parting words
Home care agency SEO should be the top priority of any healthcare provider. Even though people are compelled to turn to them in their times of need, it’s still a huge task to outrank your competition and make sure your agency is the one they turn to.
Therefore, follow these actionable SEO tips for healthcare providers, and you’ll reach the top of the Google search result pages in no time. Increasing the website traffic and converting visitors into clients is the only way to achieve real success.
