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When it comes to establishing a strong online presence, knowing the 3 core components of an effective healthcare SEO strategy is every medical brand’s way to success.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the ways healthcare brands and providers can utilize these three components to create a solid marketing strategy and enhance their digital presence.
The 3 Core Components of SEO
Did you know that 80% of patients from the U.S. source their chosen healthcare provider through the Internet? More than ever, learning the three core components of search engine optimization (SEO) is now a need for healthcare businesses.
On-page SEO
The first component, On-page SEO, refers to the optimization of individual pages of a website to improve its rankings in search engine results pages. This includes optimizing website content elements such as:
- Page title
- Meta description
- Header tags
- Images with alt texts
- Content
Proper keyword research is the key to a successful on-page SEO campaign. In healthcare, it is especially important to target specific keywords related to medical conditions, treatments, and medical services that potential patients may be searching for.
Optimize for Local Search Results
When optimizing for on-page SEO efforts in healthcare, it’s important to ensure that the content is high-quality and medically accurate. Consider incorporating local keywords into your content to improve visibility in local search results of your facility’s geographic area. For example, a dental practice in Los Angeles may want to optimize for keywords like “Los Angeles dentist” or “dental implants in Los Angeles.”
Local SEO focuses specifically on improving a business’s visibility in local search results. This is particularly helpful for healthcare providers, as many patients prefer to see providers in their local area. In fact, according to a survey by Google, 46% of all Google searches are looking for local information.
[Related: 6 Things SEO Healthcare Bloggers Should Know]
Off-page SEO
Next, we have Off-page SEO. This component refers to the optimization of several external factors that can impact the search engine rankings of healthcare websites. This includes elements such as:
- Backlinks
- Social media signals
- Online reviews
Off-page optimization further strengthens your medical SEO strategy as it helps build trust and credibility with potential patients.
To optimize for off-page SEO in healthcare, providers should focus on building high-quality backlinks from reputable sources. This could include guest posting on relevant healthcare blogs, partnering with other healthcare providers to create joint content, or participating in medical forums and online communities.
Encouraging patients to leave online reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Healthgrades is a big plus, too.
Optimizing your Google Business Profile is a big factor too when sending social signals and getting reviews. You need to claim and verify your Business Profile listing. This will allow them to appear in Google’s “local pack” of businesses when users search for healthcare services in their area. Make sure that your name, address, and phone number (NAP) information is consistent across all online directories and platforms.
[Related: 6 Ways To Boost Your Healthcare Website SEO in 1 Month]
Technical SEO
Technical SEO refers to the optimization of a website’s technical elements to improve its search engine rankings. This includes elements such as the following:
- Site speed
- Mobile-friendliness
- Site architecture
In healthcare, technical SEO helps potential patients to find the information they need quickly and easily.
Here are a few tips for a strong healthcare technical SEO:
- Make your website mobile-friendly
- Ensure fast loading speed
- Optimize the site’s architecture to ensure that it is easy to navigate and that important pages are easily accessible
- Implement schema markup to your website to help search engines better understand the content on each page.
[Related: SEO for Medical Practices: 7 Mistakes to Avoid at All Cost]
How Is SEO Used in Healthcare?
Search Engine Optimization is used by healthcare websites to improve a provider’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). By optimizing their website, healthcare providers can attract more organic traffic, increase their online visibility, and ultimately attract more prospective patients. SEO can also be used to target specific medical conditions, treatments, and services, making it easier for potential patients to find the information they need.
In addition to improving visibility and attracting patients, SEO can also be used to build trust and credibility with patients. By appearing at the top of search engine results pages, healthcare providers can demonstrate their expertise and authority in their field. They can also use off-page SEO tactics like online reviews and backlinks to further establish their reputation as a trusted healthcare provider.
[Related: How to Do Search Engine Reputation Management in Healthcare (Successfully)]
Why Is SEO Important in Healthcare?
There are several reasons why healthcare SEO is important for medical practices:
Increased visibility
As online searches are continuously growing each day, potential patients are more likely to turn to search engines like Google when they are looking for healthcare services. Through SEO optimization, healthcare providers can improve their visibility and increase their chances of attracting new patients through organic search results.
Better user experience
SEO is not just about optimizing for search engines; it’s also about improving the user experience on a website. As a medical service provider, you are encouraged to improve the structure, content, and navigation of your healthcare website. Through this, you can make it easier for patients to find the information they need.
Remember: A good user experience leads to higher engagement, lower bounce rates, and ultimately, more patient conversions.
Improved credibility
Appearing on top of search engine results signals potential patients that you are a reputable and trustworthy provider. A high ranking helps in building credibility and trust, which is undoubtedly important in the healthcare industry.
Targeted marketing
Local healthcare SEO is particularly important as patients prefer searching for nearby doctors.
By optimizing for local search terms, you can target patients in their immediate geographic area and increase the chances of attracting and converting local patients.
Cost-effective marketing
Compared to traditional marketing channels, SEO can be a relatively cost-effective way for medical facilities to market their brands. A strong healthcare SEO strategy can increase your visibility and attract new patients without spending a lot of money on advertising.
Long-term benefits
Healthcare SEO is a long-term strategy that can provide long-term benefits to healthcare providers. While it may take some time to see results, a well-executed SEO strategy can continue to drive traffic and attract new patients for months or even years to come.
Improve Your Search Engine Traffic Today!
Learning about SEO ranking factors and all its components may be quite intimidating, and that’s where Digitalis Medical comes in. We can significantly improve your healthcare site by using effective SEO strategies that can help more patients see your expertise as a medical professional.
For more healthcare marketing tips, visit the Digitalis blog or schedule a marketing consultation with our team.
