Setting Up and Optimizing Google My Business for Dentists

For dental practices, a well-optimized Google My Business (GMB) profile is essential for attracting local patients and improving visibility in Google’s local search results. A complete and optimized GMB profile helps your practice appear in the local pack—the top three Google Maps results for location-based searches like “dentist near me.” Here’s a comprehensive guide to setting up and optimizing Google My Business for your dental practice.

Why Google My Business is Crucial for Dentists

Google My Business is an invaluable tool for dental practices because it allows you to manage how your practice appears in local search results and on Google Maps. A complete and active GMB profile benefits your practice in the following ways:

1. Increases Local Visibility
   • GMB helps your practice appear in the local pack, making it easier for potential patients to find you when they search for dentists in your area.
2. Builds Trust and Credibility
   • A well-maintained GMB profile, complete with positive reviews and accurate information, builds trust with patients and encourages them to choose your practice.
3. Engages Patients with Valuable Information
   • GMB lets you share essential information with patients, like hours of operation, contact details, services offered, and updates about your practice.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Google My Business Profile

If you haven’t claimed your GMB profile yet, follow these steps to set up your profile:

• Sign In or Create a Google Account:
  • Use a Google account associated with your practice to sign in to Google My Business at business.google.com.
• Enter Your Practice’s Name and Address:
  • Enter your practice’s official name and address accurately. Google may provide suggestions based on existing profiles, so make sure to select the right one if your practice is already listed.
• Choose the Right Category:
  • Select “Dentist” as your primary category. You can also add secondary categories like “Cosmetic Dentist,” “Pediatric Dentist,” or “Orthodontist” to specify your services.
• Enter Contact Information and Website URL:
  • Add your phone number and website URL to make it easy for patients to contact you and learn more about your services.
• Verify Your Business:
  • Google will send a verification code to your practice’s address, typically via postcard. Once you receive it, enter the code on your GMB profile to confirm your practice’s location.

Step 2: Optimizing Your Google My Business Profile

After setting up and verifying your profile, optimize it to improve your visibility in search results and attract more patients.

Complete Your Profile Thoroughly

• Fill Out All Details:
  • Make sure every section of your profile is complete, including hours of operation, services, and practice description. Google prefers complete profiles, and a fully filled-out profile can improve your ranking.
• Add Business Hours and Special Hours:
  • Include regular business hours and update special hours for holidays. This ensures patients have accurate information about when your practice is open.
• Include Additional Attributes:
  • Attributes like “Wheelchair Accessible” or “Accepts Insurance” help patients understand what your practice offers and make it more appealing to a broader audience.

Write a Compelling Business Description

Your business description is an opportunity to showcase what sets your practice apart. Write a concise, informative description that includes relevant keywords for local SEO, like “family dentist in [City]” or “cosmetic dentistry in [Neighborhood].”

• Highlight Your Services and Specialties:
  • Mention your key services, such as “teeth whitening,” “Invisalign,” or “dental implants.” This information helps Google understand what your practice offers and makes it easier for patients to find you in specific searches.
• Use Location-Based Keywords Naturally:
  • Include your city or neighborhood name naturally in the description to increase your local relevance. For example, “Located in downtown [City], we provide comprehensive family and cosmetic dental care.”

Step 3: Upload High-Quality Photos and Videos

Images and videos make your GMB profile more engaging and help patients feel more comfortable choosing your practice.

Types of Photos to Include:

• Exterior Photos:
  • Upload photos of the outside of your practice to help patients recognize it when they arrive.
• Interior Photos:
  • Showcase your waiting area, treatment rooms, and other spaces to create a welcoming impression for new patients.
• Staff Photos:
  • Include images of your dental team to make your profile more personable. Patients appreciate seeing the faces of the people who will care for them.
• Photos of Services and Equipment:
  • If you have specialized equipment or perform specific procedures, consider sharing photos of these. This helps demonstrate the quality of your facilities and services.
• Add Videos for More Engagement:
  • Short videos showcasing a tour of your practice or highlighting specific treatments can be highly engaging. Keep videos under 30 seconds for best results.

Step 4: Encourage and Manage Patient Reviews

Reviews are essential for local SEO and patient trust. Google favors profiles with numerous positive reviews, so actively encourage satisfied patients to leave feedback.

Tips for Managing Reviews:

• Ask Patients Directly for Reviews:
  • After a successful appointment, ask patients if they’d be willing to leave a review. You can do this in person, through follow-up emails, or via SMS.
• Respond to All Reviews:
  • Thank patients for positive reviews, and address any concerns in negative reviews. Engaging with reviews shows that you value feedback and are dedicated to patient satisfaction.
• Display Your Review Link on Your Website:
  • Make it easy for patients to leave reviews by including a link to your GMB review page on your website, emails, or social media profiles.
• Regularly Monitor Review Volume and Rating:
  • Consistent reviews signal to Google that your practice is active and reputable. Aim to collect reviews regularly to build and maintain your rating.

Step 5: Keep Your Google My Business Profile Active

Google favors businesses that maintain an active and updated profile. Regularly updating your GMB profile shows Google that your practice is engaged and relevant, which can improve your ranking.

Ways to Keep Your GMB Profile Active:

• Post Regular Updates Using Google Posts:
  • Google Posts allow you to share updates, announcements, promotions, or events. For example, you could post about a new service, a discount on teeth whitening, or tips for oral hygiene. Posts keep your profile fresh and informative.
• Answer Questions in the Q&A Section:
  • Actively monitor and answer questions in the Q&A section. Patients often have common inquiries, like “Do you accept insurance?” or “What are your appointment hours?” Providing accurate answers improves patient confidence and helps clarify essential details.
• Update Photos Periodically:
  • Add new photos every few months to keep your profile visually appealing. Seasonal photos, staff updates, or images of new equipment are all good options.

Step 6: Track Your Google My Business Performance

Tracking your GMB performance helps you understand how patients find and interact with your profile. Google provides valuable insights that can guide your optimization efforts.

Key GMB Insights to Monitor:

• Search Queries:
  • Google shows which search terms patients use to find your profile. Monitor these keywords to understand what services are most in demand and consider creating content around these topics.
• Profile Views and Engagements:
  • Track how many people view and interact with your profile. Engagement metrics, like clicks to call, directions requests, and website visits, help you gauge the effectiveness of your profile.
• Popular Times and Locations:
  • GMB Insights provide data on peak times for patient interactions, which can help you optimize your hours of operation or staff availability to match demand.
• Review Performance:
  • Regularly assess the volume and sentiment of your reviews. Positive feedback indicates that your services are meeting patient expectations, while negative feedback should be reviewed and addressed as needed.

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Dental SEO: Every Dentist Should Know
Read More: Local SEO for Dentists

Conclusion

A fully optimized Google My Business profile is essential for dental practices looking to improve local visibility and attract more patients. By setting up a complete profile, encouraging patient reviews, keeping your profile active, and monitoring performance, you can improve your Google Maps ranking and create a strong online presence. With these strategies, your practice can reach more potential patients in your community, build trust, and grow your patient base.

If you’re looking for a Dental SEO Expert to boost your practice’s online presence, Rana Moneeb is here to help you attract more patients.