In today’s digital age, healthcare practice needs to rank higher on Google Maps to drive local traffic.
Also, it can attract new customers, elevate your presence above competitors, and drive more business—all for free.
With 46% of all Google searches seeking local information, ensuring your practice ranks higher on Google Maps can significantly impact your visibility and patient base.
However, these benefits are only realized if your listing is highly visible. Being listed in a location doesn’t automatically ensure high rankings in local searches.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top 10 best strategies to improve your Google Maps SEO in 2024.
Table of Contents
- Why Aim for a Higher Rank on Google Maps?
- 10 Best Ways to Rank Higher on Google Maps in 2024
- Claim and Optimize Your Google My Business Listing
- Ensure NAP Consistency
- 3. Encourage Patient Reviews
- Use High-Quality Photos
- Add Relevant Categories
- Incorporate Local Keywords
- Build Local Citations
- Create a Strong Backlink Profile
- Utilize Google Posts
- Monitor and Respond to Reviews
- Conclusion
Learn more: How to Set Up and Optimize Google Business Profile Fast?
Why Aim for a Higher Rank on Google Maps?
(Image Source – The Manifest)
Research indicates that 67% of consumers prefer Google Maps for navigation.
With most users only considering the top few results, optimizing your Google Maps listing to appear first in relevant searches is crucial.
(Image Source – brightlocal)
Additionally, studies show that 84% of users find Google Maps business listings through keyword (or “discovery”) searches rather than by searching for a specific business name.
This underscores the importance of ensuring your listing ranks high for the terms potential customers are searching.
Moreover, the top three Google Maps listings often appear in regular Google Search results.
Given that 46% of Google searches have local intent, appearing in the “Local 3-Pack” can significantly enhance your business’s visibility.
Lastly, efforts to improve your Google Maps ranking also enhance your listing’s quality, providing more ways for consumers to interact with your business.
With 86% of consumers using Google Maps to find businesses, this can greatly boost engagement.
10 Best Ways to Rank Higher on Google Maps in 2024
Here are the best GBP ranking strategies that can help you increase your online presence and get more patients:
1. Claim and Optimize Your Google My Business Listing
Google My Business (GMB) is the foundation of your doctor SEO strategy.
Claiming and verifying your GMB listing is the first step towards improving your visibility.
- How to Claim Your Listing: Visit the Google My Business page, sign in, and follow the prompts to claim or create your listing.
- Optimize Your Listing: Ensure all information is accurate and up-to-date. This includes your practice name, address, phone number, website, and hours of operation.
2. Ensure NAP Consistency
NAP consistency (Name, Address, Phone number) is critical for local SEO.
Ensure that your NAP information is consistent across all online platforms, including your website, social media profiles, and local directories.
- Check for Consistency: Regularly audit your online listings to ensure that your NAP information is consistent.
3. Encourage Patient Reviews
Patient reviews are a powerful factor in improving Google Maps ranking.
Positive reviews not only build trust with potential patients but also signal to Google that your practice is reputable.
- Request Reviews: Politely ask satisfied patients to leave reviews on your GMB listing.
- Respond to Reviews: Engage with patients by responding to their reviews, whether positive or negative.
According to Bright Local, healthcare practices with an average rating of 4 stars or higher on Google receive 59% more clicks than those with lower ratings.
4. Use High-Quality Photos
Adding high-quality photos to your GMB listing can make your practice more appealing to potential patients and improve your ranking on Google Maps.
- Upload Photos Regularly: Share photos of your facility, team, and services.
- Optimize Photos: Ensure photos are clear, well-lit, and appropriately tagged with keywords.
5. Add Relevant Categories
Selecting the right categories for your GMB listing helps Google understand what your practice is about and match it with relevant searches.
- Primary Category: Choose the most relevant primary category for your practice.
- Additional Categories: Add additional categories that accurately describe your services.
6. Use Local Keywords
Using local keywords in your GMB listing and website content can boost your visibility in local searches. .
- Keyword Research: Identify local keywords relevant to your practice.
- Optimize Content: Include these keywords in your practice description, services, and blog posts.
7. Build Local Citations
Local citations (mentions of your practice name, address, and phone number on other websites) are important for improving Google Maps ranking.
- List on Directories: Submit your practice to local directories, industry-specific sites, and review platforms.
- Ensure Accuracy: Verify that your NAP information is accurate and consistent.
8. Create a Strong Backlink Profile
Backlinks from reputable websites signal to Google that your practice is credible and trustworthy.
Did you know, healthcare practices with a strong backlink profile are 3x more likely to rank in the top 3 positions on Google Maps.
- Earn Backlinks: Reach out to local bloggers, news sites, and industry publications for opportunities to earn backlinks.
- Quality Over Quantity: Focus on obtaining high-quality backlinks rather than a large number of low-quality links.
9. Utilize Google Posts
Google Posts allow you to share updates, offers, and events directly on your GMB listing.
These posts can engage patients and improve your Google Maps SEO.
- Create Engaging Posts: Share updates about new services, health tips, and upcoming events.
- Include CTAs: Encourage patients to take action by including calls-to-action in your posts.
10. Monitor and Respond to Reviews
Regularly monitoring and responding to reviews shows that you value patient feedback and are committed to improving your practice.
- Set Up Alerts: Use Google My Business notifications to stay updated on new reviews.
- Respond Promptly: Respond to reviews in a timely manner, addressing any concerns and thanking patients for their feedback.
Conclusion
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly improve your Google Maps ranking in 2024.
Focus on optimizing your Google My Business listing, ensuring NAP consistency, encouraging patient reviews, and all the other mentioned GBP ranking strategies.
Moreover, these efforts will help you achieve higher visibility and attract more local patients.
If you’re looking to optimize your local search presence and improve your Google Maps ranking, Crawl offers the best local search optimization services.
Contact us today to boost your visibility and drive more traffic to your healthcare practice!
