If you run an optometry practice, you’ve probably heard the term “SEO” but may not know exactly what it means. SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of improving your website so it shows up higher in search results. At Optometry Marketing Services, we specialize in SEO for optometrists, making it easier for local patients to find your practice online.
Learn how SEO can make your marketing more effective, helping your practice reach more patients and boost appointments and revenue.
What is SEO?
SEO stands for “search engine optimization.” It’s the practice of optimizing a website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) to get more organic traffic. Organic traffic refers to the visitors who come to your website from unpaid sources. Depending on the competition in your area, you may need SEO to help potential patients find your practice online and to establish your practice as trustworthy and reputable.
What is local SEO?
Local SEO means optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results for local search queries. These are searches that include a location or imply local intent. Including local keywords in your website’s content and metadata (such as the meta titles and meta descriptions that appear in SERPs) can help search engines understand that your practice is relevant to users searching for eye care services in your area.
Examples of local SEO keywords for eye doctors include:
- “Pediatric eye exams in Miami”
- “Optometrist in Denver”
- “Eye doctor near me”
- “Contact lens exams in Austin”
- “Dry eye treatment in Nashville”
By focusing on local SEO, you can connect with people in your area who are already searching for the eye care services you offer. Optimizing for local SEO can turn local searches into new patients for your practice.
Local SEO tips for eye care practices
Optimize Google Business Profiles for local SEO
A Google business profile is a free, public profile that displays important information about your practice, such as your business hours, address, phone number, website, and services. Verifying a profile for each location can help improve your practice’s visibility in local search results. To make the most of your profile, include accurate, up-to-date information and enhance it with photos and relevant business categories.
Here are some tips for optimizing your Google Business Profile:
- Keep your business hours current, including special holiday hours.
- List all services offered at your practice.
- Add high-quality photos of your office, team, and equipment.
- Choose accurate business categories, such as eye doctor or optician, so patients can find you.
- Encourage happy patients to leave reviews to build credibility.
Manage local citations
Local citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number on other websites. Examples of local citations include online directories, local chamber of commerce websites, and local news outlets. Building and optimizing your local citations can help improve your practice’s visibility in local search results.
Encourage online reviews
Your Google Business Profile provides a place for patients to leave reviews and ratings about your business. Patient and customer reviews can help improve your practice’s visibility in local search results, as well as increase the credibility of your business. Encourage your patients to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile(s).
Implement structured data and schema markup
Structured data refers to a specific type of coding language that web developers use to organize and label the content on a website. Using structured data, such as schema markup, can help search engines understand the content of your website and improve the display of your website in search results. For eye doctors, this helps potential patients quickly find key information about their practice and services.
Get found by local patients
If you own or manage an optometry practice in an area with competition, your website will benefit from SEO so that it appears high in search results for the services you provide. The expert team at Optometry Marketing Services can manage your SEO for you to ensure you have the visibility you need to compete and be successful in your community.
Contact us today and learn how we can help you increase your site’s ranking in search engines and attract more potential patients to your website.
