Is your dental practice competing with a bunch of other dentists’ offices? Getting your dental practice ranking in the Google Map Pack helps you stand out from the competition and attract more local patients. At New Wine Digital, we help dentists with professional search engine optimization services. Continue reading to learn more about which Google Map Pack ranking factors you should consider.
Why Dentists Should Rank in Google Map Pack
When someone searches for a new dentist, they typically turn to the internet. The Google Map Pack, also known as the Google 3 Pack or Google Local Pack, refers to the top 3 results that Google displays for local search results. These map results are a separate section that’s featured above the rest of the search results, and also features a photo of each business along with their name, review rating, and street address.
In the past, Google often displayed high-ranking search results for businesses located far away. However, Google recently rolled out the “vicinity” update, which makes a listing’s distance from the user weigh more heavily as a ranking factor when determining search results. Reputation and relevance to the search query are two more significant ranking factors for dentists and other business owners to consider when trying to improve their Google ranking.
If you’re competing with several other dental practices in your area, it’s essential to optimize your online presence in order to stand out. Even if there are only one or two competitors, you still want to end up being the top search result, not just one of the top three. Improving your website, claiming your Google business profile, and optimizing your content will help your business rank higher and become the most desirable choice.
Google Map Pack Ranking Factors: How to Improve Your Ranking
1: Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is an important tool for more than just ranking on Google Maps and in Google search results. Optimizing your GBP also allows potential patients to easily contact your dental practice, leave or read reviews, and access your website. Whether someone Googles your business by name or simply searches for a local dentist, optimizing your profile helps that person find exactly what they are looking for.
Here are our tips on how dentists can optimize their Google Business Profile:
- Claim your profile by searching for your dental practice using Google’s Business Profile Manager.
- If your business isn’t listed, click “add your business to Google” and follow the instructions.
- Verify your business address through phone, text, email, or video so you can start editing your profile as soon as possible.
- Choose one or two business categories that describe your business such as “pediatric dentist” or “emergency dental services.”
- Add a brief description of your dental practice that includes relevant local keywords.
2: Add High-Quality Photos to Your Profile
Adding photos to your Google Business Profile helps your business rank higher in search results. High-quality photos of your logo, office, and staff will deliver a good first impression of your business. Plus, many people have dental anxiety, and showing them exactly what to expect from your dental practice with professional photos can help calm their fears.
3: Ask Happy Patients for Reviews
Better Google reviews lead to a better Google search ranking. People are also more likely to choose the dental practice with the most 5-star reviews. However, chances are you’re more likely to get a review from an unhappy patient than a happy one.
To improve your review rating, simply ask your happy patients to leave a review. If you let them know how leaving a review helps you create a better patient experience, they’ll likely be happy to help. Make sure to send a follow-up text or email reminding them to leave a review, and include a link to your Google profile.
Digital Marketing Services for Dentists
From web design to content marketing, New Wine Digital provides a wide range of digital marketing services for dental practices. We help dentists across the country improve their ranking factors for better Google Map Pack and overall Google search results rankings. Give us a call at 480-516-1819 today to learn more about our services.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (7/11/2022). Image by Tumisu from Pixabay