Local SEO (search engine optimisation) is one of the most important measures for dentists to to be found better online and attract new patients from the neighbourhood. As most people searching for a dentist rely on Google & Co. a well-optimised local presence is crucial for the success of a practice.
Why is local SEO so important for dentists?
Many patients enter Google terms such as "Dentist in [city]" or "Dentist emergency service [location]" to find a practice in the neighbourhood. If a dental practice does not appear in the top results, potential sales are lost. Local visibility can be significantly increased through targeted optimisation.
Advantages of local SEO for dentists:
- Better placement in the Google search results
- More local patients reach people who are actively looking for dental services
- Higher Trustworthinessas users trust regional practices more
- Long-term visibility without high advertising costs
Step-by-step guide to local SEO for a dental practice
- Optimise Google My Business
- Full details of the practice (address, opening hours, telephone number)
- Upload high-quality practice photos
- Post regular updates and articles
- Respond professionally to reviews
- Ensure standardised NAP data
- Name, address and telephone number (NAP) should be in all online directories be identical
- Platforms like Jameda, Yelp, Doctolib, Bing Places and business directories
- Integrate local keywords in a targeted manner
- Integrate important terms into the website texts and metadata, e.g. "Dentist Berlin Mitte" or "Paediatric dentist Munich"
- Use Google Keyword Planner to find relevant terms
- Actively collect reviews
- Targeted patient care Google reviews ask
- Positive reviews increase the ranking and trust of new patients
- Respond professionally to every review
- Mobile optimisation of the website
- Most local search queries come from smartphones
- Fast loading times, mobile user-friendliness and a clear design are essential
- Local content & blog articles
- Write practice-relevant content, e.g. "When should I have my teeth cleaned?" or "How root canal treatment works"
- City-related blog articles help to rank for local search queries
- Build backlinks from local partners
- Promote cooperation with pharmacies, health blogs or other local companies
- Backlinks from reputable sites increase the authority of the dentist's website
Conclusion
With a effective local SEO strategy a dental practice can improve its ranking in the search results and gain more visibility. Patient enquiries from the region generate. Google My Business, local keywords, reviews and a mobile website are the decisive factors for a successful local online presence. Those who consistently take care of optimisation will benefit in the long term.