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Dental SEO Trends For Better Patient Engagement

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Angela Hockabout

By Angela Hockabout

Published September 5, 2023
Updated February 15, 2024

3 min read

SEO Trends to Attract AND Connect With Your Ideal Dental Patient

Dentistry is all about precision, care, and attention to detail, and when it comes to marketing your practice, those principles apply just as strongly. It's not merely about having a website; it's about optimizing your online presence to attract new patients who want to love their smile. At Smile Marketing, we integrate the best dental SEO strategies into every website, focusing on what matters most to dentists like you.

Let’s delve into these strategies to ensure your dental practice shines online…

1) User-Friendly Website Design:

A patient's online journey must be as smooth as a check-up in your clinic. Here's what your site should include:

  • Clear Contact Information:
    Is your phone number visible? What about your hours?
  • Prompt Appointments:
    Is there a "Schedule an Appointment" button in a noticeable spot?
  • Quick, Mobile-Friendly Site:
    57% of Internet users won't recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile site, and even a one-second delay can result in a 7% reduction in conversion.

💡Tip: Make your website a smooth, intuitive experience, and you're not just winning a click—you're winning trust. Your website is your online reception area; make it as welcoming and efficient as your actual clinic.

2) High-Quality, Patient-Oriented Content:

Your expertise as a dentist should shine through your website:

  • Provide Essential Dental Information: Share your wisdom, answer common questions, and invite visitors to book an appointment.
  • Include Relevant Dental Keywords: But remember, natural integration is key. Keyword stuffing is a thing of the past.
  • Highlight Patient Comfort – post content that highlights everything you do to put your patients at ease.
  • Share Before and Afters that WOW – Use a gallery of images with a slider that shows how you can transform your patient’s smile. (see our favorite one here!)
  • Update Regularly: Whether it's new team members or the latest dental advice, keep your site fresh.

Fact: Sites with a blog have a 434% higher chance of high search engine rankings.

💡Tip: Consistent, valuable content isn't just good for SEO; it's a virtual extension of your bedside manner. Every informative blog post or FAQ is another way you're caring for your patients outside of office hours.

A Showcase of Expertise, Authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (EAT):

Elevate your dental content by emphasizing EAT:

  • Highlight Your Dental Credentials and Success Stories: This builds your authority in the dental industry.
  • Emphasize Special Certifications and Awards: Your achievements deserve recognition.
  • Encourage and Share Patient Testimonials: These validate your expertise, especially on Google.*

Fact: E-A-T is indirectly linked to your overall search rankings.

*Be sure to follow all of your local jurisdiction’s regulations around patient testimonials and reviews.

💡Tip: Transparency builds trust, and in healthcare, trust is everything. So, be generous in showcasing your expertise—your potential patients are not just looking for a dentist, they're looking for a dental home.

Give Your Dental SEO a Boost

Utilize Your Google Business Profile:
Keep it accurate and up-to-date. Fact: Complete Google Business Profiles are 7x more likely to get clicks.

Cultivate Quality Backlinks:
Earn them from reputable healthcare and local sites. This enhances organic traffic and your status as a dental authority.

Maintain an Excellent Reputation with Online Reviews
Positive reviews boost search engine rankings and provide evidence of your high-quality care. Fact: 87% of people use Google to check reviews.

Stay Current With SEO Best Practices
Incorporate voice-based search content and schema markup to make sure your dental practice is readily found and understood by search engines.

Remember, SEO is a continual process that needs regular attention to attract more local patients and grow your dental practice.

💡Tip: SEO isn't just about being found; it's about being found credible and relevant. Each backlink, keyword, and review is a vote of confidence in your practice.

Dental SEO Done Right With Smile Marketing

Whether you need a brand-new website or want to enhance your current one, our dedicated team of dental marketing specialists is here to support you. We know dentistry, and we know how to market it effectively.

Book a Discovery Call with us today and let's explore how we can help you meet and exceed your patient goals.