A great dental office is all about tools. From X-rays to the latest tech, dental staff knows the importance of using the best equipment. But there’s one simple tool that many offices aren’t using to its fullest extent: Google.
Research shows that search engines are the most common route that consumers use to find new services. According to KPMG, 55% of people will search online for reviews and recommendations before spending money–compared to only 23% of people who talk with family and friends.
This finding holds true for dentist practices. The majority of potential patients will research the name of the dentist or practice before they choose a new dentist and make their first visit. Today’s savvy, digitally-versed patients will use all sorts of online information to decide whether or not a dentist’s office is the one for them: reviews, articles, press coverage, and any other link that lands on the first page of Google search results. The simple fact of where your practice’s name is positioned in search engine rankings can have outsized, long-lasting effects on your business as a whole.
What does this mean for dentist offices? It suggests that practices should spend time thinking about their search engine optimization–commonly known as SEO. Offices can use a number of simple strategies to develop their online presence and boost their visibility in search engine result pages.
55% of people will search online for reviews and recommendations before spending money
One key way to improve SEO is to use press releases for your practice. Press releases have twofold benefits: they improve your rankings in search engine results, and they offer a credible source for clients to learn more about your business.
Why are press releases so important to SEO? The reason stems from Google’s algorithms for ranking search results. According to Search Engine Journal, outside links connected to your business’s name are one of the most important ranking factors in the algorithm. Because of these behind-the-scenes calculations, even a few articles from national newspapers, regional sites, or industry magazines will create ripple effects of benefits for your overall marketing reach.
Imagine a potential patient who searches for dental options near them. They’ll find your practice’s name, website, and address on the first page of search results. When the link to your website is followed by accessible, trustworthy press coverage, Google is providing viewers with clear evidence that your practice is legitimate as the best local option.
Patients who are able to view links to articles from authoritative news sites, such as Yahoo News, can see at a glance that your practice is established, growing, and actively working for its patients. By browsing official press releases, they’ll understand more about your practice and be impressed by its media coverage. A well-rounded search strategy–combined with the credibility and reach of press release coverage–will strengthen your practice’s marketing tactics and ultimately attract more patients to your office.
Across the modern, digital landscape, even the best and longest-standing dental practices can miss out on new patients when their search results aren’t enhanced. You put your time and effort into helping your patients access the best possible dental care–so it’s important to make sure everyone knows about the great work you’re doing. Press releases are a simple, efficient method to improve SEO rankings and get the word out.
If you’re interested in commissioning a press release for your dental practice, contract FeaturedDentist.com to learn more. Our agency has deep experience in the dental space, and can provide targeted advice and coverage options to improve your Google rankings today.
