Cracking the Code: SEO for Endodontists
What in the world is SEO and how does it apply to Endodontic marketing? SEO is a multi-step approach to optimize your Endodontist practice’s website and Google Business Account so that you can consistently generate leads, attract referrals, and boost your reputation organically, all while you’re busy seeing patients.
SEO stands for search engine optimization. That’s when we (the creators of websites) fine-tune our work so that search engines, like Google, understand the exact purpose of your website. The better the optimization, the more likely search engines will put your website at the top of the search engine results pages (SERP) as well as the Google map.
In this article we’ll discuss the most common Endodontic SEO strategies to compete with dentists who are offering Endodontic services and out-ranking Endodontists on the Google map. Ultimately this will improve your referral networks and increase your search rankings for new patient growth.
1. Get to the Top of Google Maps
The best way for an Endodontist to increase new patient phone call with SEO is to update their Google Business Profile for ranking higher on the Google map. Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the little red pin and the handy summary of a business information you see on the Google map. It’s a microcosm of your website that lives right on Google. It includes important information like practice name, hours, location, and reviews.
Unfortunately many Endodontists are being outranked by GP’s who understand the SEO game and have a jump start. What this means is that patients are searching directly for Endodontic terms and general dentist profiles are coming up ahead of Endodontists. Not cool! But don’t worry, we’ll show you how to boost your rankings quickly.
The first task is to run a Google Maps Ranking Report, which shows you where you’re currently ranking. I would recommend that you watch the short video on this page which explains how Google maps ranking work.
Secondly, you need to get access to your Google Business Profile. Here is a short video to show you how to do that. Once you have access and understand how to get to the editing capablities of your GBP, you can do the next few steps.
- Check your primary category and make sure that you’re listed as an “Endodontist”
- Add a secondary category. Below is a list of the categories you can choose from.
We recommend that you list 2-3 categories total, because any more has shown to damage rankings.
And the last thing to do is watch this video which will walk you through the top ten things to do to optimize your Google Business Profile.
Here are a couple more resources about optimizing your GBP.
2. Breaking News: Patients Throw Phones Because of Non-mobilized Websites
There are some Endodontists who have yet to embrace the wonders of mobile optimization for their websites. In this modern age of seamless digital experiences, these Endodontic luddites proudly embrace the ancient art of non-mobile optimized websites. Who needs modern convenience when you can recreate the nostalgic frustration of zooming and scrolling on tiny screens? It’s like a virtual time capsule, transporting patients back to a prehistoric era of digital inconvenience.
Fortunately nearly everyone reading this has a mobile optimized site. But if the above statement describes you, call us. You need a mobile optimized site, yesterday. More than half of all searches are conducted on a mobile device, and as of 2018, Google uses the mobile version of your website when indexing. Things to remember that will help your mobile optimization:
- Keep the design simple
- Focus on load speed
- Use large font and buttons
- Compress images
- Avoid pop-ups
The best SEO strategy for your Endodontist website works for both desktop and mobile, so don’t forget to check how functional your website is on mobile devices.
3. Enhance Website Visitor Experience with Technical SEO
The term “technical SEO” is a catch all term for tasks that improve the user experience with your website. A big part of technical SEO for dentists is speed. How fast does your website respond to a user action. When someone clicks to any page on your website, the response time should be almost immediate. You want to provide instant gratification and efficiency rather than requiring your website visitors to wait through painstakingly slow loading pages?
A technical SEO audit will identify why pages are loading slowly. Many times it’s the image size and format. Another common culprit is unnecessary Javascript which slows down pages, confuses search engines and breaks functionality. An audit will identify whether or not your website has these technical SEO elements:
- Crawlable for search engines
- No dead links
- Has a site map
- It loads fast
- SSL/HTTPS secure
- Includes structured data
- Has a robots.txt file
- No duplicate content
Unless you have had training technical SEO, you may want to enlist the help of some professionals. Begin by running a technical website audit, it’s a simple process that will have a huge positive effect on your website speed and experience.
4. Hate Blogging? So What? Your SEO Loves It.
Blogging remains one of the most valuable dental marketing strategies for Endodontists. Blogging serves numerous purposes for both your marketing and SEO goals. An active and regularly updated blog shows Google that you are continually improving your website and adding more valuable content. Plus, blogging gives you more opportunities to include links and keywords throughout your website to improve your performance on search engines.
For referring dentists and potential patients, an updated blog is a valuable source of information about procedures, practices, and dental health tips. It can also prove your expertise in the field of endodontics. Use blogging as a way to showcase your knowledge and your personality.
Adding a blog to your Endodontic website can be easily done. Remember to create original content and post consistently to maximize results on search.
5. Optimize for Endodontic Keywords and Phrases
Keywords are an important tool used by search engines to determine what your website is about and how to direct the right traffic to you. Keyword research involves determining what keywords and phrases users might put into a search engine to find your Endodontic practice. YFor those of you who want to dig deep on this topic use this keyword generator from ahrefs to get started.
For those of you who just want the nitty-gritty on Endodontic keywords, these are some of the highest searched terms:
- [your area] Endodontist
- Endodontist near me
- What is an Endodontist
- Best Endodontists in [your area]
- Root canal dentist
There are also longtail keywords which are longer phrases that usually solicit a more specific search. They might generate less traffic but can be easier to rank for. Examples of longtail keywords for an Endodontist might include:
- Best Endodontist specialized in root canal treatment
- Experienced Endodontist to treat an abscessed tooth
- Gentle and painless Endodontist that offers sedation
By using these keywords repeatedly in your website content, you’ll be able to improve your ranking for these terms. You can also try out Google’s Keyword Planner Tool to help you choose the right keywords.
6. Duplicate Content! The Most Effective Way to Reap Zero Benefits
If you want your website to feel as repetitive as the image above, use duplicate copywriting. Duplicate content is not only lazy and annoying but it can harm your website’s search engine rankings. When a search engine recognizes duplicate content it needs help to determine which version of the content is content to be displayed in search results.
Avoid the temptation to copy and paste to write content for your website. Search engines can detect fraudulent or duplicate content, and you want your website to be completely original. We recommend using writing tools like Grammarly or ChatGPT to write your copy and also check for plagiarism. Check out this recorded webinar on how to use AI and ChatGPT to create content for your website.
In addition to those tools we recommend building your website on a platform like WordPress and using plug-ins like Yoast or Rank Math to help with SEO optimization. These plug-ins improve your content by giving recommendations on the length of content, keyword suggestions, and simple improvements you can make to optimize your writing.
If you don’t have the time or resources to do your copywriting in-house, consider outsourcing it to an Endodontist SEO company. Copywriting specialists deliver a quick turnaround and provide high-quality content designed to convert.
7. Bump Your Rankings with Correct Linking
There are inbound links and outbound links and they are both important. Inbound links are created when another website has a link to your website essentially sending the visitor to your site. Outbound links are when you link from your content to another website sending the visitor off your website.
Inbound links are like votes of confidence. When Google needs help determining which Endodontist practice to put at the top of a SERP, it needs evidence that your website is reputable. If another established website links inbound to your website, then Google has more confidence in recommending your page. The more inbound links the better.
One way to create inbound links is through a citation. Citations are generally found in directories on the web (but not exclusively). They can be from well-ranked sources like Healthgrades or WebMD, which means they are high-quality links for your website that are easy to obtain. All you need to do is submit your information to directories, especially local ones, and you’ll have created an inbound link to your Endodontist website.
There is also a link called an Internal link. These are links on your website that link to other pages within your website. This helps Google index your website properly and understand what information is most relevant on your site. A great example of internal linking would be a link on a blog about root canals that links to your services page where patients can learn more.
Essentially, you are guiding web crawlers to index each page on your website, as well as any new content or pages that you create. You are building your own “web” of pages that are all interconnected.
8. Social Media Improves SEO for Endodontists
That’s right—even social media has the power to influence your Endodontist practice SEO. Plus, Endodontist social media is the perfect place to connect with your community, collaborate with local dentists, and share your blog content.
It doesn’t matter if you’re on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or LinkedIn: when your social media audience interacts with your content (with likes, comments, and shares) Google registers this engagement. It sees you as a reputable source of information and it’s another win for your Endodontist marketing strategy.
Boring Social Media Posts = No Social Signals
If you want the power of Endodontist social media on your side, you have to post quality content that connects with your audience. Your content should either educate, entertain, or inform.
This is an example of an ineffective social media post that offers no real value and gets no real engagement.
Awesome Social Media Posts = Lots of Social Signals
Below is an example of a social media post that is getting lots of attention—which gives Google the green light that this is great content. But what makes it great?
It starts with an eye-catching image. It doesn’t have to be a professional shot, but something that “stops the scroll” for viewers and gets their attention. Then the caption gives the audience a reason to like or comment on the post. These two simple steps increase the amount of engagement on a simple post.
9. Use the Correct Image Format… or Compress Images
Large image files can slow down your website’s loading speed, negatively impacting the users’ experience and search engine rankings. Therefore, it’s crucial to compress images before uploading them to your website. If you use the WebP format it’s not necessary to compress the images much further, but if you’re using PNG’s or JPEG’s then you’ll want to consider compression before uploading.
Many tools are available for image compression, including Adobe Photoshop, TinyPNG, and Kraken. These tools can help reduce image file sizes without sacrificing quality, ensuring your website loads quickly and smoothly.
There is a balance between image size and quality. Make sure that you’re not compressing too much and pixelating your images.
10. Follow These Tips to Improve SEO for Endodontists
Don’t forget the connection between your Google Business Profile and your Google Maps ranking.
In the video below you’ll see how to get started improving your Google Business Profile and three dental SEO case studies.
Don’t Be Overwhelmed by SEO, We Can Help!
All this talk about links, Google, and Endodontist SEO can overwhelm anyone. Don’t panic, most people don’t know where to start when it comes to the best Endodontist SEO.
My Social Practice has been helping all types of dental professionals completely change their approach to how they market their practice through effective SEO strategies. If you want to attract new referrals and new business to your practice, start with a personalized no-obligation Endodontist SEO analysis.
About the Author: Adrian Lefler is a founding member of My Social Practice. He loves working with dentists and helping them build their practices through dental marketing. If you would like to have Adrian speak at your dental event, please contact us here.
