SEO for Healthcare Companies
Healthcare SEO requires a whole other level of expertise. From hospitals and medical device manufacturers to private practices, WormWood can help!
SEO Services For Healthcare Companies
SEO for Healthcare companies is of the utmost importance. The US Healthcare industry accounts for more than 17% of our GDP and continues to expand. It’s a large and growing industry with a complex landscape. That’s why SEO for Healthcare companies is so important. Whether you’re a private practice, a giant health conglomerate or even a vendor for pharmaceuticals or medical equipment, being found in online search is the most important aspect of your marketing plan.
Online search is the most trusted source of information for users. A Google searcher understands that there are both paid and unpaid listings and they know that the unpaid listings got there by merit. You need to be seen by these searchers, so we put together a few tips and tricks that healthcare professionals can use as a quick reference for their SEO strategy.
Most healthcare professionals don’t have time to do SEO themselves. They need to hire a trusted, professional firm to do this work on their behalf. If you’re one of those contact us today!
Otherwise read on.
Why SEO Should Be at the Core of Any Healthcare Marketing Strategy
SEO for healthcare companies is important because Google is the modern equivalent of a phonebook. If you aren’t listed in the phonebook no one is going to call you. If you are on the first page of the phonebook you’re going to get a lot more calls than someone who requires additional searching to be found. It’s really that simple.
The way that search works is also similar to the old phone book model in that there are both paid and organic listings. The White Pages were a comprehensive listing of all phone numbers, while the Yellow Pages were a paid opportunity for companies to showcase their listing. There is a similar dynamic today between organic and paid search. Organic SEO ensures that your company can be easily discovered in The White Pages.
According to NIH data approx 6.75 million health related searches are being conducted per day and this number is growing. The largest portion of a healthcare company’s digital spend typically goes to paid search which is very effective but studies show that organic search is far more valuable in the long-term, due to its credibility and trust.
The best way to be visible in organic search is by providing the answers people are seeking. By offering valuable information to potential customers and patients, your solutions and treatments become more visible to them in online search.
Advertising Guidelines for the Healthcare Industry
Regulatory bodies like the FDA, FTC and other state commissions oversee advertising and marketing in the healthcare industry. Because of these regulations, healthcare marketing requires attention to detail and a high level accuracy.
In online advertising other industrires may not have to worry about being penalized for inaccurate information or unsubstantiated claims, the FDA requires healthcare websites to back up their claims with substantial evidence and make people aware of risks. Medical regulations can also limit how doctors and healthcare professionals are used in marketing collateral.
For this reason alone, SEO is a much more sound investment. Organic search engine optimization does not require any adherence to advertising guidelines set by the FDA. This makes SEO for healthcare companies a very safe investment.
Local SEO for Healthcare Companies
A large portion of healthcare service providers primarily serve their local markets. The average person searching for healthcare services wants someone close to their home. They don’t want to have to travel more than a few miles to connect with the healthcare they need.
For this reason local SEO can be of paramount importance. By taking a local-first approach to SEO, you can target the people in your neighborhood who are actively searching for healthcare services. Being visible in these local searches gives your business a much better chance of gaining new business.
Successful local search engine optimization will make your healthcare business more visible to local customers increasing calls and foot traffic. Most importantly, it will help you stand out in what is a very crowded, competitive industry.
SEO for Healthcare Companies: 3 Simple Tips
1. Optimize Your Website’s Title & Meta Tags
A very quick and easy thing anyone can do to improve their website’s SEO value is optimize the title and meta tags on the homepage. Your title and meta tag are what Google displays on the Search Engine Results Page (aka SERP). By complying with Google’s rules and making your title and meta info look great on the SERP you can greatly increase your SEO value.
Here are some best practices for doing this.
2. Secure Your Google Business Listing
If you don’t already have a Google Business Listing get one set up ASAP. This will require you to register your business with Google and then verify it. You may need to film and upload video based on Google’s specifications. They ask you to do this so that only businesses with a legitimate real life place of operation can show up in their commercial listings. If your business is not in a commercial location Google might not verify you. Make sure that you meet all the requirements for a Google Business Listing by reading their checklist here.
3. Set Up and Use Google Search Console
Google Search Console (aka GSC) is a completely free tool that anyone can use. It’s connected to your Google Analytics account (which you should already have set up) and provides you information about how your site is being found in organic search. GSC also allows you to see who is linking to your website and where you are ranking for different keywords. This valuable, free tool also gives you visibility into which of your pages are the most popular and which queries search engine users are typing to find you. The value of Google Search Console to any online business cannot be stressed enough.
Hopefully this has been an educational look at SEO for healthcare companies. As you will see, SEO takes a lot of work but with the right level of knowledge and effort you can greatly improve your visibility and increase the amount of business you attain.
If you need help from a professional SEO firm contact WormWood SEO today! We have the combined knowledge and experience to service healthcare companies of any size. From giant medical device manufacturers to a local pediatrician.