Healthcare local SEO best practices to attract more patients

Your healthcare business needs a robust online presence so patients can find you online. Patients now rely on search engines like Google to locate and evaluate healthcare providers in their area. The recent “The One” report by Birdeye shows many consumers (58%) won’t even try to seek out businesses that don’t have an online presence.

As a healthcare practice, standing out in local searches is key to attracting more patients and growing your practice. That's where healthcare local SEO comes into play. 

But what exactly is Local SEO, and how can it help your healthcare practice stand out in a crowded marketplace? In this guide, we’ll explore the essentials of Local SEO. We will also explore how Birdeye can elevate your practice’s online visibility, helping you connect with more local patients.

What is Local SEO for healthcare businesses?

Local SEO, or Local Search Engine Optimization, involves optimizing your healthcare practice’s online presence to appear prominently in local search results. When patients search for healthcare services nearby—like “family doctor near me” or “pediatrician in [city name]”—Local SEO helps ensure that your practice shows up at the top of those search results.

In the healthcare industry, where patients often look for providers they can trust who are close to home, being visible in local search results is crucial. By optimizing your practice for local searches, you’re not just improving your online presence—you’re making it easier for patients to find the care they need right when they need it.

The critical components of local SEO for healthcare professionals

Enhancing your Google Business Profile

Potential patients will get their first impression of your practice based on your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). A well-maintained profile can significantly enhance your practice’s visibility in local search results. To make the most of your profile:

• Ensure all practice details (address, phone number, business hours) are up-to-date.
• Regularly update your profile with posts, photos, and service updates.
• Encourage and manage patient reviews to build credibility.

Birdeye’s listing management tools simplify managing your profile, allowing you to present a polished and professional image to potential patients. This lets you properly handle patient feedback by prompting happy patients to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile.

Building a solid network of local citations

Local citations, which mention your practice’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on various websites, play a significant role in local search rankings. To build a strong network of local citations:

• Ensure NAP consistency across all platforms.
• Get listed in relevant online directories and healthcare-specific platforms.
• Regularly audit citations for accuracy.

Birdeye streamlines managing your citations, helping maintain accuracy and consistency across the web. 

For small businesses, Google drives 83.10% of traffic, followed by Facebook at 3.24%, DuckDuckGo at 2.64%, and Bing at 2.09%. This suggests that concentrating on accurate and optimized listings on these major platforms is more advantageous than spreading efforts across less popular directories. 

What does this mean for you? You need to focus on the core sites. While industry specific sites and smaller review platforms have their place, you need to optimize business listings on core sites like Google, Facebook, DuckDuckGo, and Bing.

Encouraging and managing patient reviews

Patient reviews are more than just a measure of your practice’s reputation—they’re also a crucial factor in Local SEO. To effectively manage patient reviews:

• Encourage satisfied patients to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile and other relevant platforms.
• Respond to all reviews, whether positive or negative, to show that you value patient feedback.
• Use reviews to gain insights into areas of improvement for your practice.

Birdeye’s reputation management tools make collecting, managing, and responding to reviews easy, helping you strengthen your online reputation.

Crafting high-quality, locally-focused content

Content is the cornerstone of any successful SEO strategy and is particularly impactful in Local SEO. You should craft content that directly addresses your local community’s needs and concerns. This can be incredibly effective, so do consider:

• Writing blog posts on health topics relevant to your local area.
• Providing updates on healthcare trends or seasonal health tips.
• Incorporating local keywords—such as your city name—into your content.

Birdeye can assist in developing a content strategy that resonates with both search engines and your patient base.

Prioritizing mobile optimization

As more patients use their smartphones to search for healthcare services, having a mobile-friendly website is no longer optional—it’s essential. A mobile-optimized site strengthens your Local SEO efforts by:

• Improving user experience on mobile devices.
• Boosting your website’s ranking in mobile search results.
• Ensuring your site is easy to navigate on all devices, particularly smartphones.

Birdeye offers tools to evaluate your website’s mobile performance and guide you in making necessary improvements.

Securing local backlinks

Backlinks from reputable local sources—such as community websites, local news outlets, or healthcare-related organizations—are valuable for enhancing your Local SEO. To build local backlinks:

• Identify local websites and organizations that can link to your content.
• Collaborate with local businesses or participate in community events to gain mentions.
• Share high-quality, locally relevant content that others will want to reference.

For healthcare businesses, securing these high-quality local backlinks can give your practice the visibility boost it needs in local search rankings. Birdeye can help you identify opportunities to obtain these valuable backlinks.

Tracking and measuring your local SEO success

Regularly tracking and assessing effectiveness after implementing local SEO strategies is essential. Key metrics to monitor include:

• Local search rankings.
• Website traffic from local searches.
• Volume and sentiment of patient reviews.

Monitoring these indicators lets you see what’s working and where adjustments might be needed. Birdeye’s analytics platform offers in-depth insights into your local SEO performance, allowing you to track progress, monitor your online reputation, and make informed decisions that keep your practice competitive.

FAQ about local SEO for healthcare practices

Take your healthcare business’s local SEO to new heights with Birdeye

For healthcare practices and businesses, mastering Local SEO is crucial to attracting more local patients and staying ahead in a digital-first world. You can significantly improve your practice’s online visibility and reputation by enhancing your Google Business Profile, building strong local citations, managing patient reviews effectively, crafting locally-focused content, prioritizing mobile optimization, and securing local backlinks.

Birdeye is your partner in this journey. Our all-in-one platform equips you with the tools and expertise to boost your Local SEO, draw more patients to your practice, and grow your business. Start optimizing your online presence today with Birdeye, and watch your practice thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.