If you’re an optometrist specializing in the evaluation and treatment of dry eye, your website is a powerful tool to reach patients. Let’s make it easy for them to find you! Here’s how to use SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to shine a spotlight on your dry eye services.
Understanding SEO for Dry Eye
SEO refers to the process of optimizing a website so that it performs well in key word searches related to your services and products. When someone looks up “dry eye care” in your area, you want your practice to pop up first. It’s about using the right words in your website content and making your site user-friendly.
1. Pick the Right Keywords
Start by identifying the key words people use to research their symptoms and for dry eye treatments. How do patients explain their symptoms when they are in for a visit? Chances are, they’ll use the same words in key word searches to learn more about the condition. Use these phrases on your website, especially in titles and headings.
There are also tools digital marketers use which provide data to guide them for content marketing. SEMRush and AnswerThePublic are two examples of tools an SEO would use to learn more about the volume of searches associated with a topic, so that content can be developed which answers the questions most often searched by people on Google.
2. Make Your Content Helpful
Write articles or blog posts that answer common questions about dry eye. What are people asking you about relative to dry eye when they’re in for a visit? If a few people ask you during their visits, hundreds more are probably asking Google! Share tips, explain treatments, and talk about how to prevent dry eye in blog posts and on web pages. This helps people and makes Google see your site as helpful, pushing it up in search results.
3. Optimize Your Website’s Design
Your website should be easy to navigate, fast to load, and perform well on phones. If people enjoy using your site, they stay longer, telling search engines your site is valuable.
4. Use Local SEO
Since you’re serving local patients, make sure your website mentions your city or area. Include phrases like “dry eye treatment in [Your City]” so people nearby find you first.
5. Collect Reviews
Positive reviews make others trust you more and help your website rank higher in search results. Have a good strategy in place to collect reviews from patients! I know it can seem risky, but I’ve seen practices get good results by automating the process of sending out texts to patients which contain the link to the Google Business Profile to collect reviews. By automating this process, you alleviate the burden on your staff, and you increase your chances of getting more reviews.
6. Keep Your Website Updated
Regularly add new information, like the latest in dry eye care or new services you offer. Fresh content keeps your site interesting to search engines. An easy way to add new information to your website is by publishing blog posts each month. If your focus is on building awareness of your expertise in the treatment of dry eye disease, then write articles to support that goal.
SEO for your dry eye specialty might sound technical, but it’s really about making your website the best resource for dry eye care. Use these tips to help more people find you and get the relief they need. With a bit of effort, your practice can become the go-to place for dry eye treatment in your area.
FAQs
How often should I update my website content?
Update your content regularly, at least once a month, to keep your site fresh and interesting.
How long does it take to see results from SEO?
SEO can take some time to start showing results, but it’s worth the effort for the long-term benefits. Depending on the state of your website when you begin, it can take 6 months or so to increase your rankings for key words related to dry eye. Keep at it!
Do online reviews impact SEO?
Absolutely, positive online reviews can boost your website’s visibility in search results.
Is SEO only about keywords?
No, SEO is also about making your site user-friendly, providing valuable content, and ensuring it runs smoothly on all devices.
