Google My Business may have recently changed its name to Google business profile and is even incorporating a real-time chat feature soon – but what wasn’t changed is its usefulness as a tool to improve your dental practice’s Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). Here’s a quick summary of some of the many ways dentists can use their Google business listings to their advantage.
Verify Your Business On Google
If you have opened a new practice or have only just gotten your first website live, one of the first things you MUST do is verify your dental practice on Google and claim it as your own business. Verification is necessary in order for your practice to appear on Google Maps and for you to be able to change the listing as the owner. Overall, this improves your practice’s location visibility and SEO on Google.
It may take a few weeks for Google to review and approve your verification request so make sure you get onto it ASAP.
Keep Your Listing Up To Date And Accurate
In 2022, Google is getting rid of its separate mobile app in order to make it easier for users to manage their listings in one place. This means you’ll be able to update your listing directly from the Google search page, Google Maps or via a web interface rather than logging into a separate app. Keeping your business listing up to date and accurate helps improve your visibility online as well as your credibility with new patients.
So, always ensure you have NAP consistency across all your online websites and social media profiles. That’s your practice’s Number, Address and Phone Number.
Encourage Reviews And Respond To Them
As well as gaining customer trust and potentially influencing new patients who are looking up their local dental options to choose your practice, Google reviews also enhance your SEO.
Google’s algorithm uses the total number of reviews as well as the average rating of reviews to determine which businesses show up first on its web search engine results and on Google Maps. This can really help improve your click-through rate which can lead to more new appointments.
Google business profiles have reviews enabled by default, so you should definitely use this as an opportunity. Try to gain as many positive reviews and customer feedback as possible and do your part in responding to them.
Get Expert Help With Your Dental SEO
360° Dental Marketing is a Melbourne based dental SEO marketing agency proudly supporting dentistry clients from all around Australia including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. As well as SEO services, we offer website design, social media marketing and are always up to date with Google’s latest trends and changes.To learn more about our dental marketing solutions, book a consultation with our dental marketing experts today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Google business listing is a free business listing service on Google that allows your business to appear on Google Maps and search engines. You can create your Google business profile at no cost, and can manage your business directly from Google Search and Maps to start reaching more customers.
To learn more information head to Google’s support pages or contact our dental marketing agency in Melbourne to discuss using Google for dental marketing.
In most cases, no you cannot turn off or remove Google Reviews from your business listing without having to remove the listing altogether.
