When you are looking to get nationwide rankings, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. Just like with any other SEO strategy, the process takes time and effort if you want to see results. In this series, we will discuss some of the best practices you can use to help improve your website’s visibility and rank for keywords related to your business or product. Stay tuned for more information on large-scale SEO and SEO strategy development!

First and Foremost, Know Your Ideal Clients and AudienceGreat content collage concept. If you are looking to reach a national audience, the a large scale seo development strategy is what you need. Our mental health seo specialists can help. Book a consult!

For some strategies with SEO, you can get to know who your ideal clients are in the process of optimizing and writing content. Although no matter what, we do recommend learning your niche right off the bat. For nationwide individuals, such as workshops, classes, courses, directories, or coaching, it is of the utmost importance that you have clarity in who your audience is. That may require digging, asking questions, networking, and getting more clarity before diving in.

A disclaimer. In getting to know your ideal people better, I don’t want this to cause anxiety that you have to 100% understand your people, or your idea is not worth pursuing. Anxiety and imposter syndrome can keep us from putting an excellent tool or resource into the world. However, if you cannot create content that you’re passionate about and write that often, then maybe some more soul searching is needed.

Create the Important landing pages

We are at it again with content content content! When I say this, I recognize that national rankings will look different. If you are selling a course, a program, listing therapists or other mental health professionals or doing workshops. It is worth having a built-out page with at least 800 words of content. Why? Because Google values content, you want to be competitive if we reach a nationwide audience.

What is considered a vital landing page for large-scale SEO?

The product is the vital landing page. Is it a directory, a podcast, a workshop, a masterclass, a new course you’re rolling out, or coaching groups? Create a page for it and be specific with what people can expect and why it would benefit them. Other vital pages include about the author, about pages, a blog, and potentially an FAQ/pricing page. These may not all be optimized, but they are worth having.

How Long Will It Take Me To Get Rankings

The time it takes to see results will look different for each person. It depends on the competitiveness of your niche, how much content you’re creating, and other optimization techniques you may be using. We have seen people rank in as little as four to five months and sometimes up to a year or more. I would recommend expecting to stay in it for the long haul. The great thing is that once you rank, draw in clients, and get conversations; you will not have to go back and do that heavy lifting.

Are Service Pages the Most Important Part of Large Scale-SEO?

No! Your pages set you up as an authority, but it is not the central part of the strategy. Here are the two things that matter most. Backlinks and Blogging! But How?

BacklinksBacklinks on computer. Needing support with your SEO strategy development is ok. That is why we are mental health seo specialists. Get support with Large-Scale SEO for your website. Book a consult!

This is a crucial part of a long-term strategy. Why? Because you’re building yourself up as the expert in this particular niche. Therefore, we want to begin developing quality backlinks early on. That means if you have been on podcasts, blogs on other sites, or treatment centers you work with. These people are great options for building quality backlinks. Over time, as you produce content, you will have backlinks naturally linking to your site. This is what we want!

Blogging

This is where a core amount of optimization comes from on your website. So blog creating you as the expert. The more content, the more we show Google we are experts, consistent, and worthy of being trusted on the search engine. Here we demonstrate our expertise in topics, why people should work with you, and what you can offer. No, this isn’t a salesy approach. But if I were offering health coaching services for busy professionals, I may choose to talk about burnout, realistic self-care, perfectionism, slowing down, and how a health coach or life coach may help. Write series and cornerstones (2000-word blog posts). Write from the passion behind your practice; through this, you will begin connecting with your people.People holding up blog. Blogging for SEO is crucial. Need support with your large scale seo strategy? Then blogging is going to be a big part of it. Learn more and book a consult for more support!

What Next for Large-Scale SEO?

There is so much behind the strategy for nationwide rankings, and it’s different for every niche, site, and person. If you’re willing to put in that work, great! We are here to support you and see you thrive. This is a glimpse into what you can think about when beginning a nationwide ranking. If you want more support, our team of skillful SEO specialists can help.

Stay tuned for specific posts about large-scale SEO on directories, workshops/classes, courses, and online coaching. 

Begin Working with an SEO Specialist and Get Your Passion Project Ranking!

If you want nationwide rankings for large-scale SEO, and none of this makes sense, or you don’t have time for it. You can work with an SEO Specialist. They will help you understand your niche and develop a strategy that works for you. You’re working with many moving pieces; we are here to make it more transparent and manageable. You can get started with a free consultation to see what is possible for your website.

To get started, follow these simple steps:

  1. Book a consult to learn about our Done for You Services or our Training Services
  2. Learn about our eclectic and skillful team of SEO specialists
  3. Start seeing your passion project come to life.

Other Services at Simplified SEO Consulting for Large-Scale SEO Support

If you’re looking for other forms of support, we can help! We offer options such as our 12-week training, small group intensives, and courses. Our strategy session can be a great option if you need support getting started with SEO or doing a site move or redesign. Or, if you’re ready to work with a passionate and skilled team, our Done for You Program may be a great following approach.

About the Author

Jasmine is an SEO Specialist, Counselor in Training, and is our Client Success Specialist for clients just starting with SEO and learning. Jasmine works to help people with a strategy with national rankings, eating disorder specialties, sports psychology, and much more. If you’re looking for additional support, schedule a consult with the consulting team to see who can help you and how.

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, understanding the SEO strategy for the healthcare industry is paramount. SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the cornerstone of your online presence and can significantly impact the success of your healthcare practice. It’s important to note that SEO is a multifaceted endeavor that involves a range of factors and techniques tailored to the unique needs of healthcare businesses. Google considers many, many different things when determining which websites to rank at the top of search results.

At Simplified SEO Consulting, we have garnered extensive experience working with private practices in the healthcare sector. This blog post delves into the SEO strategy that has proven most effective for healthcare professionals and practices based on our wealth of experience and success stories.

What does SEO mean in simple terms?

Simply put, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), is the process of optimizing your website to improve its visibility on search engines like Google. The goal is to rank higher in search results for relevant keywords, making it easier for people to find your website and the services you offer.

What are the top SEO strategies for business?

When it comes to SEO, there’s no shortage of strategies and tactics that claim to boost your online presence. However, at Simplified SEO Consulting, we believe in simplifying the process and focusing on the factors that truly make a difference for healthcare businesses. Our approach to SEO emphasizes the essential elements that drive results, ensuring that your practice stands out in the competitive healthcare landscape.

How do you do SEO on a website: A 7-Step Plan as an SEO Strategy for Private Practices in the Healthcare Industry

1) Start with a technically sound website that really represents your practice

The foundation of any successful SEO strategy begins with a technically sound website. Your website serves as your digital storefront, and it should reflect your brand identity accurately. Ensuring that it’s well-designed, user-friendly, and optimized for both desktop and mobile devices is crucial.

2) Keyword Research

Keyword research serves as the foundation of a successful healthcare SEO strategy. It’s the process of identifying the precise words and phrases potential patients enter into search engines when seeking services like yours. At Simplified SEO Consulting, we recognize the significance of personalized keyword research that aligns with your individual practice and the unique characteristics of your patient base.

A graphic with keywords written in front of a person writing on a laptop. Want to learn about SEO strategy for the healthcare industry? Our services can help teach you about SEO in healthcare.

When delving into healthcare SEO keywords, it’s essential to consider the specifics of your medical practice. Each healthcare niche and specialization has distinct keywords and phrases that resonate with potential patients. For example, if you’re a chiropractor, your keyword research should pinpoint phrases like “chiropractic care for back pain” or “spinal adjustment in [your location].” This level of customization ensures that you’re targeting the most relevant and effective keywords to attract patients genuinely interested in your services.

Blog posts throughout our website further explain the process of identifying healthcare SEO keywords using practical examples. But the bottom line is, we emphasize that this tailored approach to keyword research is instrumental in elevating your online visibility and connecting with patients who genuinely need your expertise.

3) Create and consistently post great content that demonstrates your expertise and speaks directly to your ideal clients 

Content is king in the digital realm, and it’s no different for healthcare practices. Creating high-quality, informative content that showcases your expertise and directly addresses the needs and concerns of your ideal patients is paramount. Regularly posting valuable content not only engages your audience but also strengthens your website’s authority in the eyes of search engines.

4) Excellent on-page SEO 

On-page SEO optimization is the fine-tuning process that ensures each page of your website is primed for search engine visibility. Basic on-page SEO practices include optimizing meta descriptions, strategically incorporating relevant healthcare SEO keywords, using subheadings to structure your content, optimizing images, and including internal links to other relevant pages within your website. Discover why on-page SEO is important for your healthcare practice’s success.

5) Regular blogging 

Blogging is a powerful tool in your SEO arsenal. Consistent, informative, and engaging blog posts not only keep your website fresh and up-to-date but also provide valuable information to your audience. Blogging helps establish your authority in your healthcare niche and keeps your practice relevant in the digital landscape.

6) Local SEO 

Local SEO is particularly crucial for healthcare providers with physical practices. It encompasses a range of strategies aimed at helping Google understand your practice’s location and relevance within specific geographic areas

What is Local SEO for doctors & other healthcare professionals?

Local SEO for doctors and healthcare professionals is a specialized strategy that focuses on optimizing online visibility for specific geographic areas. It involves various techniques to ensure that your practice appears prominently in local search results when potential patients search for healthcare services in your vicinity. This includes optimizing your Google My Business listing, managing local citations, and tailoring your content to target local keywords and patient needs in your area.

7) Building High Quality Backlinks

High-quality backlinks are the digital votes of confidence that your website receives from other reputable websites. They play a pivotal role in enhancing your website’s authority and boosting your search engine rankings. Our comprehensive SEO strategy includes building a network of valuable backlinks to solidify your practice’s online presence.

What does an SEO agency do?

SEO agencies like Simplified SEO Consulting offer a myriad of services to help businesses navigate the complex world of search engine optimization. Our services range from intensive SEO training programs for those looking to take a hands-on approach to basic strategy sessions for individuals seeking expert guidance. However, our most sought-after service is our “done for you” SEO services, where we provide assistance for every aspect of your SEO strategy to deliver tangible results.

What type of marketing strategy is SEO?

SEO falls under the expansive umbrella of digital marketing strategies. While it can be utilized as a standalone approach, it is often most effective when combined with other digital marketing techniques. By integrating SEO with other strategies like pay-per-click advertising, email marketing, and social media, you can create a comprehensive marketing plan that maximizes your online visibility.

If you are interested in combining SEO with other digital marketing strategies, we’re happy to recommend a great website developer with experience in healthcare, a healthcare PPC agency, a colleague that helps set up email marketing campaigns, or other digital marketing resources.

SEO Services for Medical Professionals in Private Practice

At Simplified SEO Consulting, we have a unique perspective on the world of SEO. Founded by a therapist in private practice, our journey began by offering SEO for functional medicine doctors and later expanded to include various healthcare professionals. We hold a deep appreciation for the invaluable work of healthcare providers and the positive impact they have on their patients’ lives.

Our SEO strategy for healthcare businesses is more than a service – it’s a commitment to your success. We understand the significance of ethical, effective SEO in the healthcare industry, and we are passionate about connecting the right patients with your practice.

If you’re ready to embark on a transformative SEO journey and witness the remarkable growth of your healthcare business, reach out to Simplified SEO Consulting today. Begin your SEO services with us, and together, we’ll take the next steps to get you more clients, help grow your impact and of course grow the profits of your business.

After writing and finishing the main content of your blog, it can seem daunting to think of how to tie everything together. You may not know what to write. Or, you may be struggling with how to motivate the potential client to continue on their journey to make an appointment with you. 

 That’s where your “call to action” comes in. This section is a great way to summarize the pain points throughout the blog in a neat little paragraph. It also allows you to empower the client to take the next step in their journey to healing with your support.

What is the “Call to Action” Part of a Therapy Blog?

A picture of two people sitting and holding hands for comfort. This represents how the call to action on your therapy pages on your private practice website can show potential clients that you are here to comfort and support them. Learn more about writing a call to action to build SEO for therapists and improving your private practice website today.

The “call to action” part of your blog is where you sympathize with your potential client. You do this by letting them know you and your team understand their struggles. It also summarizes their pain points in a neat paragraph so that they are not overwhelmed at the very end of the blog. It also lets them know that you, your team, and your practice are here to support them through their struggles and their healing journey. 

After you let your potential client know that you’re there to support them, that’s when you put how they should reach out to you to begin your services. Or, even set up a consultation. This is great to have because sometimes when potential clients search for questions late at night regarding their pain points, it will pull up your blogs rather quickly compared to your website. For example, if someone is looking for answers about trauma then having a blog about trauma can answer their questions but with the call to action, they can proceed to book a consultation with you.

 This means, that having your contact information and how to go about starting the process to make an appointment or consultation is a great piece of information to have in your blog. It makes it easier for clients to make an appointment after reading about the topic they are struggling with. Especially, if they contain backlinks to your contact forms and service information.

What Does a “Call to Action” for a Therapy Blog Look Like?A picture of someone sitting at their desk and holding a pen in their right hand to write on a note book. This represents how you can write your own call to action for your blogs on your private practice websites. You can learn more about writing blogs and a call to action to boost SEO for your therapy services today.

As I sort of mentioned above, the call to action is made up of four parts:

  • Summarizing the potential client’s struggles
  • Sympathizing with your potential client about their struggles
  • Reassure the potential client that you, your team, and your practice are there to support them
  • Instructions on how to reach out to schedule an appointment or consultation.

 

Remember, a call to action’s main goal is to summarize the reader’s pain points, let them know there is support available, and give instructions on how to reach out to you. This will help motivate your client to book a consultation or appointment with you. This is what the end goal of a call to action is! 

Here is an example of a call to action for a therapy blog:

Begin Anxiety Therapy at Lovewell Therapy in Ontario, Canada

 

Our team here at Lovewell understands how hard it can be to cope with your anxiety symptoms alone. That’s why we are here to support you. Our caring therapists are here to help you find the best coping mechanisms for you and empower you to live the life you want. To start anxiety therapy today:

  • Fill out a contact form on our website.
  • Meet with one of our caring therapists.
  • Start overcoming your anxiety and living the life you want!

 

This example has all four parts. It summarizes the potential client’s struggle. Sympathizes with them and their struggles because let’s be real, anxiety (or any mental health struggle) is hard! Then it lets the potential client know that we are here to help and support them. It also has information on how to contact the practice for an appointment and further information. Now, not all calls to action have to look like this. Some therapists prefer not to have bullets and incorporate their backlinks into a paragraph. That’s okay, too! As long as it contains the same information and lets the client know how to reach you, it will be fine.

Backlinks are Key for Your Therapy Pages

A picture of a poster board with the word "Backlinks" on a desk surrounded by markers, coffee, and a keyboard. This represents how you can use backlinks in your call to action and throughout your blog to let Google know that you own your therapy page, are a therapist, and know about the topic in your blog. Plus, it boosts your SEO. Learn more about backlinks today.

 Now, your therapy page’s blog posts will have backlinks that connect to your contact forms and practice’s service pages for easier access for the client. This is to help streamline the process for them to make a consultation or appointment. But, it’s also so that Google will recognize that you are affiliated with that practice and knowledge about the topic the blog is speaking about. For example, putting backlinks throughout your blog linking to your services, your other blog posts, or to your “About Me” page can help potential clients connect with you. But, it also allows Google to know more about your experience and knowledge, too!

Needing Some Support? We Offer SEO Services for Therapists!

If you’re looking for support with your SEO, we can help! We offer a variety of SEO options designed to meet the needs of therapists. When you’re ready to begin optimizing your therapy website, please follow these steps:

  1. Schedule your free 30-minute consultation with a member of the Simplified SEO Consulting team
  2. Learn more about our SEO services and training opportunities
  3. Start optimizing your webpage and watch your site rank better on Google!

Other SEO Services Offered at Simplified SEO Consulting

At Simplified SEO Consulting there is a wide range of SEO services that we provide to support therapists. Despite what phase they are in at their practice, we are here to help! ]We have different training options for therapists who want to learn how to optimize their websites with the help of our team members. For SEO one-on-one training, our 12-Week SEO Intensive program is a great option for those who want to work one-on-one with a specialist. Our Small Group SEO Intensives is perfect for helping professionals and therapists who would prefer to work in groups with other professionals. Another option is to purchase our DIY Online SEO Courses to learn SEO by yourself and at your own pace. Then, for therapists who are wanting to outsource their SEO, we offer Done-For-You SEO services.

If you’re not entirely sure what would be right for you, book a free consultation with one of our team members!

About the Author:

Lynsey, SEO Content Writer for Simplified SEO ConsultingLynsey is an SEO Content Specialist at Simplified SEO Consulting. At Simplified, Lynsey enjoys that she is writing content while making sure that the content sounds personal and has the client’s words and voice embedded, but also writing about important topics that will be used as resources within the mental health field. Her goal is to create quality content for clients to use as resources to help potential patients and learn as much as she can along the way. She is passionate about providing copywriting services for psychiatrists and therapists.

 

Apply to work with us if you’re ready to see how Simplified can serve you!

Your website’s service pages and blogs are valuable resources for your potential and current clients. They offer in-depth information about your services. And what clients can expect from therapy. And how to get started. But your service pages can do more than inform. They can inspire!

A picture of someone sitting at their laptop pointing at something while someone else gestures with a pen. Represents how seo consulting will support therapists by helping them find inspiration for blogs even from their own website.

Blogging is the perfect way to go into more detail about the topics that your service pages cover. They can give prospective clients a deeper understanding of what you do, and show off your practice’s personality. They’re a great opportunity to boost your SEO, while also connecting with clients to show them what makes you different! 

Take a Look at the Service Pages on Your Private Practice Website

While writing your service pages, were there topics you wish you could go into more depth on? Or were there certain aspects of your services that you weren’t able to fully explain? Don’t worry, because these are great topics to write about in a blog! By writing about them in more detail, you can explain to your ideal clients how your services work and what they can expect from them. But also how those services can help them in their specific situation. For example, if you offer therapy for women who have experienced trauma, you can write a blog about how therapy can help them heal and accept their past. 

How Many Blogs Do You Need?

For every service page, we recommend having at least three blogs about that service. This may seem difficult because you just wrote a whole page about the topic for your service page. But, this is an opportunity to go deeper and explain more to potential clients who are looking for more information. Here are some examples.

Blog Post Ideas for Specific Mental Health Concerns:

  • What is Trauma and How Does Trauma Therapy Work?
  • A Depression Therapist’s Tips on Coping with Your Depression Symptoms
  • How to Build Your Self-Esteem as a Young AdultA picture of someone typing on their computer with a plant, coffee and their notebook with the words "New Blog Post". Represents how private practice seo supports therapists and their writing their own blog posts.

Ideas for Different Modalities:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: What is it and How Can it Help?
  • Is EMDR Right For Me? Thoughts from an EMDR Therapist 
  • How are CBT and DBT Different? And Which One is Right for Me?

Blog Post Ideas to Boost Your Local SEO:

  • 5 Relaxing Locations in Maine for Getting Away to Recharge
  • 3 Coffee Spots in Portland, Oregon for Studying or Getting Work Done
  • A Place for Self-Care and Peace: 4 Trailheads in Ontario, Canada

Take a Client’s Perspective to Come Up with Blog Topics

When you’re deciding what to write about, it can be helpful to think from your client’s perspective. What questions do they still have after reading your page? What would they like to know more about? Answering these questions in a blog can help to further show you are an expert in your field. It will also give clients the information they need to decide if you’re the right provider for them.

Taking their perspective is also helpful when thinking of what advice your clients may be wanting. For inspiration, you can think of what potential clients might be looking for. If you offer therapy for relationships, you can write a blog post with tips on how to improve communication in a relationship. This will give clients insight into what methods you use and how you help people. It can also give them a chance to try out some of the techniques before they come to see you.

How to Create Client-Centric Mental Health Blog Topics

For your website and blogs to attract and retain readers it’s important to focus on creating client-centric content. By tailoring blog topics to the needs and interests of your ideal clients, you establish yourself as a trusted resource for information and support. Some ways to do this are:

Taking your ideal client’s perspective and creating content that directly addresses their needs and concerns allows you to establish and position yourself as a trusted expert in your field. It also can attract more visitors to your website. Not only allowing your ideal clients to read your blogs but allowing them to explore your various services.

Wondering How to Build Your SEO as a Therapist?

Writing blogs is a great way to deliver valuable information to clients. But as I mentioned, it’s also great for SEO! Blogs can be a great way to work in SEO keywords that you may have been unable to work into your service page. For instance, if you offer therapy for anxiety, a blog titled “How to Cope with Anxiety Symptoms” can be a great place to work in popular keywords such as, “anxiety symptoms” and “anxiety therapy”. Including these keywords can help your blog rank higher on Google. This way your ideal clients can find you more easily when they are searching for an anxiety therapist near them. 

Show Google What You Know

A picture of a computer with charts and data on the screen. Represents how done for you seo can allow for therapists to get support with writing blog posts for their website.Blogs can also be a great way to show Google (and clients) how knowledgeable you are. It also gives you a chance to show the clients why they should choose you over the competition. The blogs based on your service pages can give you the chance to give a more detailed look into the treatments. It gives you a chance to showcase specifically how you help your clients and what that treatment for their concerns looks like.

Let Them Get to Know You

So, at the end of every blog, we suggest adding an “About the Author” section. This is where you can establish more authority over the topic of the blog, and let the reader know more about you as a therapist. In this section, you can make it more specific to the topic of the blog and showcase your authority on the subject. 

If you wrote a blog about anxiety, in the “About You” section you can talk about how you’re a therapist specializing in anxiety and then discuss the treatments you usually use with clients. This is a great way to establish that you’re an expert on this subject to your clients and Google. It also lets the readers know more about you and what you specialize in.

Looking for Support? We Offer SEO Services for Therapists!

If you’re looking for support with your SEO blogs, we can help! We offer a variety of SEO options designed to meet the needs of therapists. When you’re ready to begin optimizing your therapy website, please follow these steps:

  1. Apply to work with us and learn more about the members of the Simplified SEO Consulting team
  2. Learn more about our SEO services and training opportunities
  3. Start optimizing your webpage and watch your site rank better on Google!

Other SEO Services Offered at Simplified SEO Consulting

At Simplified SEO Consulting, we have a wide range of SEO services to help therapists no matter what phase they are in at their practice!  We have different training options for therapists who want to learn how to optimize their own websites with the help of our team members. For SEO one-on-one training, our 12-Week SEO Intensive program is a great option for those who want to work one-on-one with a specialist. Our Small Group SEO Intensives are perfect for helping professionals and therapists who would prefer to work in groups with other professionals. Another option is to purchase our DIY Online SEO Courses to learn SEO by yourself and at your own pace. Then, for therapists who are wanting to outsource their SEO, we offer Done-For-You SEO services.

If you’re not entirely sure what would be right for you, apply to work with us!

About the Author:

Photo of Lynsey Heskett, a Mental Health SEO Content Specialist at Simplified SEO Consulting.Lynsey is an SEO Content Specialist at Simplified SEO Consulting. At Simplified, Lynsey enjoys that she is writing content while making sure that the content sounds personal and has the client’s words and voice embedded, but also writing about important topics that will be used as resources within the mental health field. Her goal is to create quality content for clients to use as resources to help potential patients and learn as much as she can along the way. She has a lot of passion for providing copywriting services for psychiatrists and therapists.

If you’re ready to see how Simplified can serve you, apply to work with us!

 

 

 

 

Updated on 4/30/2023 by Lynsey Heskett

 

You may have heard of it, experienced it, or had no exposure to the summer slowdown, but it’s here! The summer slowdown is the time in the summer when counselors and therapists experience a reduction in referrals or find that current clients are canceling more often. This impacts the revenue of your business and can send you into a spiral if you have never experienced it, you just expanded, or you are not prepared. Know that this happens every year. Expect to see reduced referrals during summer and winter. However, SEO for therapists is a great tool to fight back against the slowdown. 

Now that we have that out of the way, here are some tips on SEO for therapists this summer!Man on boat typing. Are you in the midst of the summer slowdown in Chicago, New York, California, or Montreal? SEO for therapists can help. This is the best time to optimize your private practice website. Learn more!

 

SEO for Therapists Tip: 1 Blog. Blog. Blog.

You hear it from us repeatedly, but that’s because it’s so impactful! Blog and do it with intention. Think about writing one on online therapy. This is always a good idea because you can boost harder to rank keywords like therapy, therapist, online counseling, etc. It also aids in local SEO. You can create how-to guides, open letters, comprehensive therapy guides, coping tips for various issues, and a client-friendly understanding of therapy approaches. You can write about current events or make it more personal if it is consistent with your code of ethics. The options are limitless, don’t put yourself in a box when connecting with your clients. You have so much to share, so why what? If you are unsure about blogging for SEO for therapists, use our blogging course!Keyboard, plant, and notepad with blog written on it. You may be familar with the summer slowdown, but your private practice website hasn't experienced it, till now. No worries, seo for therapists, counselors, Occupational therapists, psychiatrists and psychologists can help!

Tip: 2 on SEO for Therapists Should I write cornerstone content or shorter blogs?

Both and! That is where SEO remains beneficial. Google reads everything to understand your writing and find key phrases. When Google understands your message, it can help you connect with the right people looking for your page. As a result, Google will search for keywords, readability, internal and external links, alt text, and other factors. That is what Google is for: matching the reader with the appropriate experience. So having long, in-depth blogs that are well optimized helps Google bring you the right traffic more accurately and consistently.

SEO for Therapists Tip: 3 Create Quality Service Pages

Regarding SEO, blogging versus service pages is not ranked in terms of  “more important.” Well, optimized content is well-optimized content! Google doesn’t care whether it’s a service page or a blog post. When it comes to SEO, both carry the same weight. However, in terms of user experience, service pages, and blog posts serve different purposes. When creating service pages, break them down into bite-size pieces. Don’t put teen therapy only if you work with anxiety, depression, trauma, and career counseling. Or, if you offer eating disorder treatment, don’t just create a basic landing page. Break it down into body image issues, binge eating, emotional eating, orthorexia, etc. 

Tip: 3 on Building Up Local SEO for TherapistsMagnifying glass with GMB on screen. Your private practice website has been thriving. Then the summer slowdown hit and you're having a hard time filling clinicans. Don't panic, this is normal. Try seo for therapists and get a headstart on the fall!

As many of you know, Google My Business is an important component of local SEO. We are more likely to show up for keywords like therapy near me, online therapist near me, or couples therapy Chicago when we can be found locally. Here’s a quick recap of my previous blog post on optimizing Google My Business. Check out Google My Business for Online Practices or Optimizing Your Google My Business Profile for more in-depth information.

A well-optimized Google profile lets clients quickly sense who you are as a private practice. When clients see how much care you have taken to keep your information up to date, they are more likely to become clients. As a result, you must set up and optimize your free account. Add relevant keywords wherever you can, for example, in descriptions, titles, etc.

Breathe and reap the rewards of your hard work

How long Will The Summer Slow Down Last?

After taking a look at these suggestions and incorporating them, take a breath. You had done some heavy lifting. The truth is that you set yourself up for success. The summer slowdown will end and pay off in the fall when you have put in the work early on. This is helpful for you and the longevity of your practice, This may happen year to year, and this is to be expected. Prepare some blogs in advance, build backlinks, and backload your caseload so you can still manage your finances. 

Our Team Can Teach You More About SEO for Therapists!Person on computer. Are you ready to begin blogging and writing content during the summer slowdown? Great! SEO for therapists can help you private practice website. Get started and book a free consult.

It’s time to get the private practice website assistance you require. If you are ready to get a kick start on your private practice marketing, SEO can help The summer slowdown is inevitable, but there are some measures you can take to protect your business and clinicians. Our team collaborates with a large number of therapists. You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for an SEO company that understands the world of mental health and how to market it ethically. Simplified SEO Consulting’s wonderful team of mental health SEO specialists would love to talk strategy with you and connect you with the best service for you. To begin using our service, simply follow these simple steps:

  1. Make an appointment with our Consultation Team.
  2. Learn about our team!
  3. Kickstart your practices referrals

Other Services offered by Simplified SEO Consulting

Simplified SEO consulting offers a wide range of services to help you begin working with your people. We offer Done for You SEO Service packages, online courses, and SEO training opportunities. Our most popular course includes our “Top of Google” online course, and we have 12 weeks of intensive SEO for those who want to learn with a guide. For those looking for a more specialized package, we also offer an SEO strategy package. To get started, schedule a consultation with our Client Success Specialist today! Are you looking to get ahead of the winter drop-off? We offer a 3-day cruise to the Bahamas for those needing blogging support. Visit the page, and we’ll see you on the seas!

Author Biography:

Jasmine is a Mental Health SEO Specialist and Simplified SEO Consulting’s Client Success Specialist. Understanding SEO shouldn’t be difficult, and Jasmine is here to help you figure out where to begin. Jasmine is one of many specialists who can assist you if you want an SEO company that understands the mental health world. Jasmine is an Aspire Counseling intern who works with body image, trauma, anxiety, mild eating disorders, and clients of various identities and backgrounds. If you require additional assistance with SEO for therapists, schedule your free 30-minute consultation with Simplified SEO consulting as soon as possible!

In today’s digital age, the healthcare industry is recognizing the immense value of online visibility and accessibility. As more patients turn to the internet for health-related information and services, the role of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) in healthcare has become increasingly vital. 

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the significance of keywords in healthcare SEO and how they can be leveraged to empower your private practice or other small business in the healthcare industry to grow and thrive. Let’s dive into the world of healthcare SEO and uncover the strategies that will help your practice thrive in the digital landscape.

The Significance of Keywords in Healthcare SEO

Understanding the role of keywords in healthcare SEO is fundamental to creating a robust online presence. Keywords are the building blocks of SEO, acting as bridges between what patients are searching for and the information or services your practice offers. They serve as the compass guiding your potential patients to your website and ensuring that your practice is discoverable amidst the vast digital healthcare landscape.

What is SEO?

Before delving deeper into healthcare SEO, let’s clarify the concept of SEO itself. SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is a set of strategies and techniques designed to enhance the visibility and ranking of a website on search engine results pages (SERPs). In simpler terms, it’s about making sure your website appears prominently when people search for relevant healthcare information or services online.

Why is Medical SEO Important?

The importance of medical SEO cannot be overstated if you own a business in the healthcare sector that you are looking to grow. It is the linchpin that connects your practice to the vast pool of potential patients actively seeking healthcare solutions on the internet. A well-executed medical SEO strategy ensures that your practice doesn’t remain hidden in the depths of the internet but emerges as a beacon of trust, credibility, and expertise.

The Basics of Keywords

Keywords form the foundation of SEO. They serve as the language that connects patients’ queries with your practice. Most good SEO strategy starts with identifying some keywords to target, though one danger I’ll discuss below is overthinking keywords.  To harness the power of keywords effectively, we need to start with the basics.

What are Keywords?

Keywords are words or phrases that people enter into search engines when seeking information, products, or services. In the context of healthcare SEO, they represent the terms patients commonly use when looking for medical professionals, treatments, or health-related advice.

For example, if someone is looking for a new family medicine doctor, they might search, “family doctor near me.” Or, someone with a back injury who has heard a chiropractor might search “chiropractor in (insert city name) for back pain,” or someone might search “best SLP in (insert city name).” Any of those phrases in quotations would be keywords.

Types of Keywords in Healthcare SEO

Keywords come in various forms, each serving a distinct purpose in healthcare SEO. The two categories you’ll hear about most often are short-tail and long-tail keywords.

Short-tail Keywords

Short-tail keywords are concise phrases typically consisting of one to three words. They are broad and capture a wide range of search intents. For example, “family doctor” or “pediatrician” are short-tail keywords.

Long-tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords, on the other hand, are more specific and extended phrases. They often reflect a user’s specific query or intention, such as “family doctor in Los Angeles who accepts Blue Cross insurance.”

The Role of Keywords in SEO

Keywords are the compass that guides your online strategy. They influence the content you create, the structure of your website, and how you interact with search engines. Essentially, keywords are the bridge connecting patients to the healthcare solutions you provide.

That said, a problem I’ve often seen is people overthinking keywords. I’ve seen private practice owners spend literally weeks trying to choose the “perfect keywords.” So, while doing some keyword research truly is essential in keyword research so you have a direction to guide your SEO strategy, it’s also important to not let keyword research overwhelm you to the point where you don’t actually move forward with an SEO strategy. 

At some point, you have to move beyond just identifying phrases your patients are using and start actually creating content they’ll find helpful or optimizing the content you have so they can find you.

What is SEO Content for Healthcare?

Once you’ve identified the keywords your patients are likely using to find your services online, the next step in your SEO strategy will be to begin creating content around those keywords. When you know what keywords to use, you have some idea what content people are looking for.

For example, if I’m a chiropractor and identify that people are searching for the long tail keyphrase of, “Can a chiropractor help with headaches,” that in and of itself is a FANTASTIC title for SEO content right there.  Or, if you’re a functional medicine doctor and your keyword research leads you to discover that there are people Googling, “What is a functional medicine doctor,” that is exactly where you should start! Begin by writing a comprehensive piece of content on your website that goes into great detail about what it is you do.

I’ll be honest, this blog post right here is an example of SEO content.  My own keyword research led me to discover that people have been searching for “healthcare SEO keywords” and that started me down the rabbit hole that’s leading to this pretty comprehensive article on the topic that is hopefully answering a lot of your questions about this topic.  

So, you get the idea. SEO content for healthcare is any content you create that will answer questions or explain the concepts that your patients are searching for online.

Creating Content with SEO in Mind

SEO content in healthcare encompasses various types of content, including blogs, service pages, and any informative materials on your website aimed at engaging and educating your patients. This content not only serves your audience but also helps search engines understand when and where to rank your website.

Quality vs. Quantity in Healthcare SEO Content

While content is crucial, quality always surpasses quantity in healthcare SEO. Your content should not only be abundant but also highly informative, trustworthy, and relevant to your patients’ needs.

This is something that I feel is a bit of a dance. How do you get enough content on your website that Google really understands what your website is about why making sure it’s still high enough quality to truly help your patients? Honestly, it’s a dance. But it’s an important question to keep top of mind. Because while you do need a pretty decent amount of content on your website for search engines to really understand what patients you help and how you help them, you are ultimately responsible for the content on your website, so you do want to make sure it’s accurate and represents you well.

The Importance of Relevance

Relevance is the key to effective SEO content. Ensuring that your content directly addresses the questions and concerns your patients have is paramount to engaging and retaining your audience.

If you create content simply for the purpose of SEO or only to have a blog post that uses some keyword you’ve discovered has a high search volume, it may not help you as much as you’d like. Content that’s about some off-the-wall topic unrelated to your practice will stand out to Google as well. Furthermore, it won’t attract the right type of audience to your website.

Letters spelling out keywords around a magnifying glass on a yellow background. Want to improve your healthcare SEO? We can help you understand local SEO for healthcare providers. Visit us today!

The Process of Keyword Research

Now that we’ve covered the fundamentals, it’s time to dive into the process of keyword research, a critical aspect of healthcare SEO.

How do you actually do keyword research? What tools do you need?  How do you go about choosing specific keywords to target? If you’re reading this blog, I know you likely have a lot of these questions. So, let’s dive right in.

What is Keyword Research?

Keyword research involves identifying the most relevant and effective keywords to target in your healthcare SEO strategy. It’s about discovering the terms your potential patients are using to search for healthcare services.

The Tools for Keyword Research

To embark on successful keyword research, you need the right tools. That said, there are a LOT of keyword research tools out there.  And even our team uses a variety of tools. Furthermore, you’ll find that oftentimes using different tools shows you slightly different things.  Here are a few different ones that we have used:

Google Keyword Planner

Google’s Keyword Planner is a valuable resource for discovering keywords. It provides insights into keyword frequency and difficulty for specific geographic areas, helping you tailor your strategy. I don’t personally find this one very useful, but have known a lot of people who have. If you already use Google Adwords, you might like this one.

SEMrush

SEMrush is a comprehensive SEO tool that offers keyword research capabilities. It provides in-depth insights into keyword competition and search volume, aiding your decision-making process. SEMrush is one of my personal favorites, but honestly, it’s a little complicated to use and a little expensive if you’re really only working on one or two websites.

Keywords Everywhere

Keywords Everywhere is a browser extension that offers keyword data while you search the web. It’s a handy tool for on-the-fly keyword discovery. This has a great Chrome extension and I’ve known a lot of different people who use this. Honestly, I have found myself using this one less and less over the years just because I find I get more helpful information from KWFinder or SEMRush.

KWFinder

KWFinder is through Mangools and is our favorite at Simplified SEO Consulting. Everyone on our team uses this one more than any other tool. You can choose a specific geographic location like your state or even a more specific city/metropolitan area.  It gives a ton of information but isn’t too overwhelming. Generally, if people are going with just one, this is the one I recommend.

Answer the Public

Answer the Public is a unique tool that visualizes search query data in a user-friendly format. It’s excellent for uncovering long-tail keywords and questions people commonly ask.

For long-tail keywords, tools like Answer the Public are particularly useful. And long tail keywords are a very important part of your SEO strategy, because these keywords often have lower competition, making it easier for your practice to rank for them.

How Do I Find Unique Keywords for SEO?

First, I love that you’re asking this question.  I was really excited when my own keyword research unearthed this as a popular search term. Why? Because we find that so many of our private practice clients want to use the same general search terms like “private practice physician near me” or “family medicine doctor near me.” Unfortunately, these more general terms are often very competitive to rank for and the patients looking for them might be less invested than someone looking for a more specific term like, “family medicine doctor specializing in geriatrics” or “functional medicine doctor.” So, unearthing unique keywords can be really, really powerful for your SEO strategy. But how do you find those magical keywords with less competition that will attract patients who get really excited about you as a practice?

Listening to Your Patients

One of the most effective methods is listening to your patients. Take note of the words and phrases they use when describing their healthcare needs during appointments.

Think of a newer patient you have who you are REALLY excited to work with. Someone who came in and you just knew you’ll be able to make a huge difference for them. What brought them in? How did they describe that pain? THIS is likely your ideal clients and the terms they used to describe why they sought you out are likely perfect keywords for you to target!

Admission Forms

Examine the forms patients fill out when they visit your practice. These forms may contain valuable insights into their concerns and expectations. What symptoms are they checking off? Those might be keywords. What questions are they writing in at the bottom of the sheet in the blank space? There’s a fantastic blog post. These forms can’t be shared online of course (PLEASE always consider patient privacy-never take any SEO advice that would violate that!), but a look at what your patients are saying and asking on this type of documentation can give you great ideas for what kind of content would be helpful.

What are Good SEO Keywords?

In your quest to conquer the world of healthcare SEO, there’s one crucial truth to keep in mind: the most valuable keywords are those your ideal patients are genuinely using. While it may seem tempting to chase after the most popular terms in the medical field, it’s essential to strike a balance between keyword competition and difficulty.

The cornerstone of successful healthcare SEO is relevance. Your chosen keywords must align with the nature of your work and resonate with your ideal clients. Building your unique health keywords list is an intricate process, dependent on various factors such as the type of patients you aim to attract, the local dialect, insurance preferences, and more.

What Are the Most Searched-for Healthcare Terms?

We often get asked about the top medical keywords or for a specific list of keywords every medical professional in private practice should target. However, SEO isn’t that simple and keyword research certainly isn’t. You’ll want to develop your own health keywords list based on the type of patients you’re trying to attract, the dialect in your local area, what insurances you do or don’t take and a variety of other factors.  So, while you might be curious about a definitive list of top medical keywords, healthcare SEO simply isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Healthcare SEO is about customization. You must develop a tailored list of health keywords based on your target patient demographics, local dialect, insurance considerations, and other factors.

What People Search for On Google About Health: Creating Helpful Content

Informative content is the cornerstone of successful healthcare SEO. By understanding what your patients are searching for, you can provide valuable answers and establish trust.

When you understand what your patients are searching for, you have the opportunity to truly answer their questions and doing so helps both your patients AND Google

What is SEO content for healthcare?

In the realm of healthcare, SEO content encompasses various forms of digital material, including blogs, service pages, and any information available on your website that aims to provide valuable insights and assistance to your patients. It’s more than just content; it’s a strategic tool that not only caters to the needs of your patients but also plays a pivotal role in informing Google about where and when to rank your website. By delivering genuinely helpful content that addresses patients’ queries and concerns, you create a win-win scenario—providing valuable resources for your audience while bolstering your online visibility and rankings within search engine results pages.

Navigating On-Page SEO with Keywords

Once you have your keywords selected, and you’ve created some awesome content, it is time to start optimizing that content. Optimizing content is when you take the content you’ve created on your website and start making sure there are keywords strategically placed so Google really starts to understand that this content should show up in  Google search results when someone searches for that particular phrase.

On-Page SEO Optimization

On-page SEO involves optimizing individual pages on your website to rank higher on search engines. It includes various elements, such as page titles, meta descriptions, header tags, and keyword placement. There are a variety of components and we’ll only be able to touch on a few here, but this is a good list to get you started and a list that considers specifically where keywords can be used.

Incorporating Keywords in Page Titles

Page titles are one place you can include medical keywords when you’re working on SEO. Incorporate relevant keywords into your page titles to signal to search engines what your content is about. For example, if your keyword research showed that people are searching for “adrenal fatigue,” you want to include the term “adrenal fatigue” in the title of your article on that topic.  

Most people are pretty good about doing this. However, occasionally we do see private practice owners write really fun titles that are meant to draw people in. However, sometimes these creative titles don’t actually use the keywords that the practitioner wants to rank on search engines. However, if you’re working on healthcare SEO, it’s important to remember that you want your titles to directly use the keywords your clients are searching for in the title.

The Role of Meta Descriptions

Meta descriptions are very short descriptions (usually under 160 characters) of what a page of your website is about. This is also a description of the page that you’re recommending Google use in SERP results (the list of results when someone does a search) to explain to someone what your page is about and why they should click on your website. Craft engaging meta descriptions that entice users to click while including relevant keywords.

Header Tags and Keyword Placement

Use header tags (H1, H2, H3) to structure your content. These tags not only enhance readability but also offer opportunities to include keywords strategically. When you’ve done a great job with creating SEO and patient-friendly headings, someone should be able to scan your page and have a good idea of what your page is about.

Local SEO for Healthcare Providers

Local SEO is especially relevant for healthcare providers as they often serve specific geographic areas. And, local SEO is something we get a lot of questions about.

Local SEO and Its Importance

Local SEO focuses on optimizing your online presence to attract local patients. It ensures that your practice appears in local search results when patients seek nearby healthcare services. Basically, local SEO is anything you do to help really communicate to Google where you are relevant. 

Where do your ideal patients live, work, and spend time? Those are the locations you want your business to show up on Google for. Local SEO will help you communicate that to SEO.

Optimizing Your Google Business Profile

A crucial aspect of local SEO is optimizing your Google Business Profile. Complete your GMB listing with accurate information, including your practice name, address, phone number (NAP), and business hours.

Local Citations and NAP Consistency

Consistency is key in local SEO. Ensure that your practice’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all online platforms, directories, and listings.

Measuring Success with SEO Analytics

Ok, so you found some keywords and started using those to start optimizing your website. But how do you know if your SEO is working? How do you know if you’re getting a good return on that investment of time and/or money you’re putting into this? To gauge the effectiveness of your healthcare SEO efforts, you must delve into SEO analytics.

Analyzing Key SEO Metrics

First of all, if you’re targeting specific keywords we strongly recommend tracking how you’re ranking for those. There are lots of keyword-tracking tools out there. We use a custom dashboard for our SEO clients, but even keeping an Excel document that you keep a list of keywords and check how you’re ranking for those each month can give you some information. Then, you can begin to dive into other key SEO metrics such as website traffic, click-through rate, and average length of user sessions. These metrics provide valuable insights into your SEO performance.

A person's hand sitting on laptop with analytics showing. Not understanding the analytics about your Healthcare SEO? Our services can provide help with learning about SEO content for healthcare and the analytics.

What Are the Best Practices for Healthcare SEO?

Successful healthcare SEO is rooted in best practices that prioritize both your practice’s needs and the requirements of your patients.

Prioritizing Patients’ Needs

First and foremost, always prioritize your patients’ needs. Ultimately, your website is for your patients. And, Google rewards websites that provide an exceptional user experience and valuable information.

Following Google’s Guidelines

Staying aligned with Google’s guidelines is non-negotiable in healthcare SEO. Avoid shortcuts or blackhat techniques, as they can result in penalties. It’s worth noting that Google updates it’s guidelines from time to time so you do want to stay up to date with those updates.

Consulting an SEO Expert

Healthcare SEO is a specialized skill. And it does take a TON of time if you want to learn to do it yourself. So, you may want to consider outsourcing your healthcare SEO to an expert who understands the unique challenges and opportunities within the healthcare industry. Even if you do want to optimize your own website, I highly recommend getting some training specific to SEO in the healthcare field as it will take you a lot longer if you don’t have some support as you move through the process.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Healthcare SEO

Avoid falling into common pitfalls that can hinder your healthcare SEO progress. It’s important to steer clear of unethical SEO techniques (in the field often called “blackhat SEO”) or SEO scams that promise quick results but often lead to long-term issues. Unfortunately, if it sounds too good to be true it likely is. 

Embracing SEO Trends in Healthcare

To maintain a competitive edge, it’s crucial to stay updated on emerging SEO trends within the healthcare sector.

Emerging Trends in Healthcare SEO

Keep an eye on trends like voice search optimization and improving user experience through Core Web Vitals.

Why Is Medical SEO Important?

Medical SEO holds paramount importance in today’s digital age due to several compelling reasons. Firstly, it fosters trust and credibility, crucial for healthcare practitioners aiming to establish a strong online presence. By optimizing their websites, medical professionals not only gain credibility in the eyes of patients but also instill confidence in search engines, thereby enhancing their rankings. Secondly, it’s a powerful tool for attracting highly targeted patients. Effective SEO ensures that your healthcare practice appears prominently when potential patients search for relevant services, driving organic traffic of individuals actively seeking your expertise. Moreover, staying competitive in the healthcare industry necessitates a robust online presence, and SEO helps practices maintain that competitive edge. Lastly, by embracing medical SEO, healthcare practices empower themselves to reach and educate a broader audience, fostering patient engagement and enhancing the overall quality of care they provide.

Building Trust and Credibility

Building trust and credibility is a core aspect of medical SEO. When healthcare practices invest in optimizing their online presence, they signal to both patients and search engines that they are dedicated to providing valuable and reliable information. Patients are more likely to choose a healthcare provider whose website is informative, user-friendly, and ranks well in search results. This trust extends to the medical expertise of the practitioners themselves. Furthermore, search engines like Google reward trustworthy websites with higher rankings, reinforcing the practice’s credibility among both patients and the digital landscape. In essence, medical SEO is a pathway to creating a solid foundation of trust and credibility that forms the bedrock of a successful healthcare practice.

Attracting Targeted Patients

Effective medical SEO ensures that your practice attracts patients genuinely interested in your services, resulting in higher conversion rates.

It’s not just about getting to the top of Google for a few keywords. It’s not even just about getting new patients to call. It’s about getting the right patients to call. 

Medical SEO Strategy Example: Functional Medicine Doctor SEO Strategy

Simplified SEO Consulting started dipping our toes into the world of SEO beyond mental health into the more general healthcare world by working with a couple of functional medicine doctors. We found that we really love working on SEO for functional medicine doctors. And, it was very important here to find the right keywords. What are the keywords the specific type of patients that are looking for that type of holistic approach to healthcare? That was our mission. If we had just taken a list of the most searched healthcare keywords on Google, it wouldn’t have gotten as good of results for those functional medicine results. Why? Because once somebody lands on the website, certain types of potential patients are more likely than others to turn into paying patients for those functional medicine doctors.

So, we identified keywords related to and created in-depth SEO content related to topics such as adrenal fatigue, hormonal issues, thyroid imbalance, gene testing, and other services that those functional medicine doctors were offering. Why? Because those were the topics that their ideal patients were searching for.  

By increasing how a functional medicine doctor ranked for those types of words, we were able to drive more qualified traffic to their websites. Then, more potential clients reach out. And, that’s how we’re able to play a small role in the growth of functional medicine private practices.

Staying Competitive in Healthcare

In a competitive healthcare landscape, SEO is the key to differentiating your practice and staying ahead of the competition. 

The truth is that the SEO landscape has gotten more, and more competitive over the years. And I feel like in the healthcare industry, COVID-19 really sped up the race for healthcare professionals to improve their digital marketing. Therefore, SEO takes a little more work these days.

Furthermore, SEO is a constantly evolving industry. Search engines are constantly looking for ways to make their search results better, for ways to improve the search experience for their user. And, that means that they’re updating those search algorithms. So, to stay competitive we also have to be aware of how the SEO landscape is changing.

Empowering Healthcare Practices with SEO

Empower your healthcare practice by embracing the potential of SEO. It’s not just about ranking higher; it’s about transforming your online presence into a patient-centric resource.

This is what we do at Simplified SEO Consulting. We get to know the healthcare practices we work with. We learn about who you serve and how you help. Then, we do that in-depth keyword research for you (or with you in our SEO training program) and develop a comprehensive SEO plan to help you reach your ideal patients and grow your practice.

Next Steps: Taking Action for Healthcare SEO Success

With a solid understanding of healthcare SEO principles, it’s time to take action. Implement these strategies, stay informed about evolving trends, and watch your practice thrive in the digital era.

If you’re ready to optimize your SEO, we’re here to support you on your private practice growth. Check out our SEO for Functional Medicine Doctors page (we offer the same services to other healthcare professionals in private practice) to learn about the specific services we offer to help grow your healthcare practice or just go ahead and book a free Zoom consultation with one of our team members. Our team members understand SEO and we understand the unique needs of healthcare professionals. We’re passionate about the work we do and we’d love to help you grow your business.

In the digital age, where search engines serve as gateways to information and services, the question of whether local SEO is worth it for personal injury attorneys is more than a mere query—it’s a pivotal consideration. Local SEO, a strategic approach to optimizing your online presence for local search results, holds transformative potential for personal injury lawyers. In this persuasive exploration, we’ll delve into the merits of a robust local SEO strategy, highlighting its power to elevate your practice, increase profits, and solidify your standing as a trusted local authority. Let’s discover more about SEO for personal injury attorneys.

What is a Local SEO Strategy?

Before delving into the worth of local SEO for personal injury attorneys, let’s clarify what a local SEO strategy entails. Local SEO is a specialized digital marketing approach aimed at enhancing your visibility within your geographic area. It involves optimizing various online elements, including your website, Google My Business listing, local citations, and reviews, to ensure that when local residents search for services you offer, your firm appears at the forefront of search results.

Is Doing Local SEO Worth It?

The resounding answer is a resolute yes. Local SEO isn’t just worth considering; it’s worth investing in wholeheartedly. As a personal injury attorney, your clientele largely consists of individuals seeking legal aid in their immediate vicinity. A well-crafted local SEO strategy positions you as the go-to solution for their legal needs. Imagine potential clients searching for “personal injury lawyer near me” and discovering your firm with ease. This is the power of local SEO—connecting you with clients who are actively seeking your services in your area.

Local SEO Benefit #1: Localized Relevance and High-Quality Leads

When it comes to marketing, relevance is key. Local SEO takes your digital presence a step further by ensuring your firm is showcased to the right audience at the right time. Potential clients who search for keywords specific to personal injury cases within your locality are much more likely to be seeking legal assistance imminently. By targeting these localized, high-intent searches, local SEO directs valuable traffic to your website. These visitors are not casual browsers; they are actively seeking solutions—making them incredibly valuable leads with a high potential for conversion.

Local SEO Benefit #2: Building Trust and Credibility

In the realm of legal services, trust and credibility are paramount. Local SEO plays a pivotal role in establishing and reinforcing these qualities. When potential clients consistently encounter your firm’s name in local search results, it fosters a sense of familiarity and reliability. Furthermore, local SEO often involves managing and encouraging reviews on platforms such as Google My Business. Positive reviews from satisfied clients act as powerful endorsements, assuring potential clients that your firm is reputable and capable of handling their legal needs. This gradual buildup of trust can significantly influence their decision-making process, leading to increased inquiries and conversions.

Does Local SEO Really Work for Small Businesses?

Absolutely, SEO works wonders for small businesses, including personal injury law firms. Contrary to traditional marketing methods that cast a wide net and hope for the best, SEO targets individuals who are actively looking for the services you provide. Instead of passively waiting for clients to stumble upon your practice, local SEO ensures you’re visible to those who are most likely to convert.

Is Local SEO Important for a Small Local Business Website?

You may be asking, is local SEO important? It’s crucial! Especially for small local businesses like personal injury law firms. Consider this: when someone faces a legal matter, they’re inclined to seek assistance from a local professional who understands local regulations, nuances, and has a presence within the community. Local SEO solidifies your connection with the local audience, allowing you to become the trusted authority they turn to in times of need. This can also be a powerful tool for promoting a small law firm using SEO.

How Does Local SEO Increase Profit?

The true worth of local SEO is unveiled when we explore how it enhances profitability sustainably over the long term. Here’s how:

Targeted Audience: Local SEO brings you in direct contact with potential clients who are genuinely interested in your services. This targeted approach increases the likelihood of conversion and reduces the need to invest in broader, less effective marketing strategies.

Enhanced Visibility: By consistently appearing in local search results, you establish top-of-mind awareness within your community. When individuals require legal assistance, your firm is the first name they recall, leading to more inquiries and engagements.

Quality ROI: Local SEO delivers a quality return on investment. Unlike costly advertising methods that might yield short-lived results, a well-executed local SEO strategy builds a robust online presence that continues to attract clients over time.

Establishing Trust: Local SEO not only makes you visible but also helps build trust. Positive reviews, accurate business information, and a strong online reputation portray you as a reliable and authoritative choice, further encouraging potential clients to choose your firm.

Long-Term Growth: Local SEO fosters steady, organic growth. As you build a strong foundation in your local community, satisfied clients recommend your services, and your practice becomes synonymous with excellence in personal injury law.

Partnering for Local SEO Excellence

In conclusion, the value of local SEO for personal injury attorneys extends beyond visibility—it’s about strategic growth and long-term profitability. The merits of a well-crafted local SEO strategy are undeniable, propelling your firm to the forefront of local search results and the minds of potential clients. To fully harness the profit-boosting potential of local SEO, consider partnering with expert SEO services that understand the intricacies of the legal landscape and the digital domain. Just as clients turn to you for legal guidance, entrust your local SEO strategy to professionals who can navigate the complex world of digital marketing, ensuring your practice reaps the rewards of sustained success.

Learn more SEO Techniques today!

Are you a personal injury lawyer seeking to establish a dominant online presence in your local market? Don’t let potential clients slip away! Utilize the power of Local SEO and elevate your law firm’s status. By ensuring that your firm ranks at the top of local search results, you can stand out in your community and make it easier for potential clients to find you. Ready to take your personal injury law to the next level? Follow these simple steps!

    1. Schedule a consultation here!
    2. Meet with one of our great SEO Specialists.
    3. Watch your Personal Injury Law Firm grow.

Other Services Simplified SEO Consulting Offers:

Simplified SEO Consulting offers a range of services to help you improve your website’s online presence. We offer Done For You SEO Services and DIY Online SEO Courses, which are customized to enhance your search engine rankings and attract your ideal clients. We also have a 12-week Done With You Intensive Program for comprehensive training. Our Content Networking service can help you boost your online presence and attract more of your ideal clients. Check out our blog for more tips and guides on SEO.

In the world of Search Engine Optimization, there are so many terms that are thrown around. 

There is a lot of lingo surrounding search engine optimization. In fact, there is so much that it can sound like a different language without having prior knowledge. So today, we are going to discuss common SEO terms and their place in the grand scheme of things.

The word keywords is surrounded by the terms concept, web, sem, content, words, and seo. Learn how we can offer SEO help for therapists at Simplified SEO Consulting. We offer support for counselor SEO and more.

What Are Long-Tail and Short-Tail Keywords?

Keywords are the terms that we chose to focus on and include in content to better show up for those terms. When it comes to short-tail keywords, these are phrases such as “anxiety treatment” that only have one to two words that make up the keyword. Long-tail keywords however can have four or more. 

Short-tail keywords often overlook long-tail when it comes to search volume. Since these keywords are shorter and more general, they are often searched for by a larger number of people. On the other hand, long-tail keywords are usually more specific due to the longer nature of the phrase. Thus, making them easier to rank for while helping focus in on a specific niche or topic. There are pros and cons of using each, which is why it’s important to use each when optimizing for specific search terms you’d like to rank for.

What Does HTML Mean?

HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. This is a basic markup language for documents used by web pages across the internet. HTML is used to tell web browsers what elements are present on a given page and make up the backbone of what you will see on a webpage. Every element is represented somewhere in the HTML of the page. While you may not be able to see it without a bit of technical knowledge, it still serves an invaluable purpose in SEO and web design as a whole.

What Does SERP Stand For?

This stands for search engine result page. When you search for something on Google, this is the page you see with all the possible search results related to your inquiry. The factors that determine where pages fall in a SERP can be difficult to understand, especially with the ever-evolving nature of Google’s search algorithm. But, understanding the major updates that may occur can help improve your SEO efforts in a variety of ways. 

What Is a Meta Description?

A meta description is a short paragraph that appears on SERPs and summarizes what the page is about. Normally Google will automatically create these based on the content of the page. But, these are rarely as effective as if you were to manually create your own. Writing your own meta descriptions for each of your web pages will allow you to also work in crucial keywords you are hoping to improve rankings for, thus helping google better understand the focus of the page and what you are hoping to rank for. 

A hand writes on a chalkboard with the word SEO circled. We offer support for therapist SEO and more.What Is the Difference Between Crawling, Indexing, Rendering, and Ranking?

Crawling refers to when robots (crawlers) for a search engine discover new pages on your site, and the links they have to other existing pages, which is why internal links are so important. After a robot crawls a site, it can index the crawled pages. Indexing is when these pages are recorded by the search engine, analyzed, and sorted based on the content of the page.

Rendering occurs when search engines take the HTML of your page, and use it to understand the structure of the page. It is the process of compiling the code of your site in order to better understand what an actual person will see when they visit the page. Finally, ranking is what private practice owners work to improve through SEO! Your ranking is where your site falls in the SERP, and this constantly changes due to other competitors working to climb to the top of the search results.

What Is a Sitemap?

A sitemap acts as, well, a map of your site! This helps search engines organize the pages on your site to crawl and index the content of your website. Without submitting your sitemap to something like Google My Business, SERPs may have a harder time understanding the type of content on your site, whether that be a video, image, or article. Plus, sitemaps also provide crawlers with another way to discover each page of your site. As a result, you don’t have to worry as much about isolated pages being looked over due to a lack of links. Your sitemap will take notice of them even if they’re not linked to any other page. 

What Are Alt Text and Alt Titles?

These are unseen additions to photos and other graphic elements on a page that help improves accessibility and provide content for search engines. The text and titles added to photos help search engines index pages correctly. These often include descriptions that explain the content of the photo and can provide a great chance to also rank for your focus keywords. These alt attributes can be added to the HTML of your site in different ways. Including them also helps toward improving how well you rank on Google. 

What Are Internal Links, External Links, and Backlinks?

Internal links are the embedded links on your website that connect each page to one another. External links are similar, but they link to external sites independent of your site. Backlinks is a type of external link in which another site creates a link that returns back to your site. Internal linking is an essential part of your site structure. External and backlinks are invaluable as well. They can help to improve the authoritativeness of your site. But, be careful, not all sites may be as reputable as others, meaning the wrong link can actually hurt the credibility of your site. 

What Is Black Hat & White Hat SEO

These are the methods in which you try to rank better on SERPs like Google. Black hat SEO tactics are those that can help you improve your rankings, but are often unethical and go against SERP guidelines in the process. In short, you want to avoid black hat SEO practices. Instead, white hat SEO practices are ethical methods to help improve your search engine rankings. 

A hand holds a magnifying glass looking at the letters SEO. We offer support for counselor SEO and more.

What Is a Featured Snippet?

These are becoming more important as Google continues to make finding the right answers more convenient for those searching for them. These are the small bits of text that often appear at the top of Google’s search results that are meant to offer quick answers to an inquiry. These make it easier for searchers to find answers without having to sift through an entire page. They also help capture attention and can improve the chances people will visit your site for more useful answers to their questions.

Begin Improving Counselor SEO With Simplified SEO Consulting

Our team of SEO specialists is experienced in offering support to improve the SEO of therapists nationwide. We offer a number of services that can help you improve your practice, and find your ideal client. If you are ready to start your SEO journey with Simplified SEO Consulting, please follow these simple steps: 

  1. Apply to start improving your SEO
  2. Meet with a member of our team of SEO Specialists
  3. Start ranking higher on Google and meeting with your ideal client

Other Services Offered With Simplified SEO Consulting

Our team of mental health SEO specialists is happy to offer a number of services to support your SEO efforts. We offer Done For You SEO packages as well as online courses, SEO training, Done With You 12-week intensive, and strategy sessions. We would be happy to start working with you by scheduling a free 30-minute consultation. Learn more by visiting our blog or visit our services page today.

About the Author

Photo of Sterling, an SEO Specialist at Simplified SEO Consulting that specializes in all things technical SEO!Sterling Humburg-Cage graduated from the University of Missouri with a BA in Psychology in 2020. He integrates what he learned in school into his work as an SEO Specialist with Simplified SEO Consulting. Sterling prides himself on helping current clients & alumni problems solve difficult SEO issues.  He’s great at giving clients multiple options about how to approach a situation and responding quickly to client concerns.  Since he started, Sterling has met frequently with our alumni and provided them extra problem-solving support. He often goes the extra mile to do outside research and make sure private practice owners have everything they need to rank well on search engines long term for the keywords their ideal clients are using!

You’ve been working on your SEO for some time and trying to follow our advice, but are still struggling to get ranking. What’s next?

First, hopefully you’re focusing your efforts initially on optimizing your website’s key pages. I think of on-page optimization as building a strong foundation for SEO. Internal linking is an important part of on page SEO.

What are internal links?

Internal links are hyperlinks that point from one page of your website to another. Search engine crawlers use these links to index and rank the pages on your site. Your content should include relevant internal links, as this will help you pass PageRank (Google’s ranking algorithm) from one page to another.

For example, an SLP website homepage would contain internal links to their services page, location page and contact page. It’s important to use relevant anchor text for your internal links. This means that not only should you be linking to the correct pages, but also using words that accurately describe the content on the other side of the link.

What’s the Difference Between Internal vs. External Links?

If you’re new to SEO, you may have heard both of these terms but not really understand the difference. That said, it’s pretty simple: External links point away from your website and internal links point to a different page still on your website. Both are an important part of a comprehensive SEO strategy. For external links, you may choose to link to a couple high quality other sites. And of course, you want to build backlinks by getting others to include external links from their website to yours. But today, we’re going to focus on those internal links pointing between pages of your own site.

Why is Internal Linking Important?

Internal linking has a number of benefits for your website’s SEO and is an important part of on-page SEO. First, it helps search engines like Google and Bing understand the structure and organization of your site, making it easier for them to crawl and index your pages. This can lead to better visibility and higher search rankings over time.

In addition, internal linking helps to establish relationships between different pages of your site, passing “link equity” from one page to another. When you link from a high-authority page to a lower-authority page, some of that authority is passed along, potentially boosting the search ranking of the lower-authority page.

Finally, internal linking helps to create a better user experience for your site visitors. By linking related pages together, you make it easier for visitors to find the information they need and navigate your site. This then leads to longer dwell times and potentially better engagement metrics. In other words, it makes life easier for your website visitors and encourages them to find all of the helpful information you’re putting out into the world!

How Many Internal Links Do I Need?

It’s been my experience that most private practice owners don’t use nearly enough internal links on their website. This is just a common SEO mistake private practice owners make on their websites. I recommend including at least a few internal links on each page of your site, and multiple links if it makes sense.

I remember when I was first learning about internal links, I put a couple here and there on my website. At the time, I was telling my husband about what I was learning. Then, one night he was reading ESPN.com and said, “Hey Jessica, is this what you mean by internal links?” Sure enough, he was pointing to an internal link in the article he was reading. But what surprised me was how MANY internal links were on that one page of the site! There were a ton!

It’s not like that with every website, but it did help me realize I had been underutilizing internal links on my own site. It was a great reminder that there really is no limit to the number of internal links you can use as long as they are relevant and useful to your visitors. But that’s the catch-internal links should make sense. They should help your readers find other pages of your website that would be logical to look at for more information about the topic mentioned.

How to Implement Internal Linking on Your PrivatePhoto of pins linked together with colored threads representing how internal links connect pages of a private practice website. For example a single blog post an SLP writes might connect to three related blog posts in a series, two service pages, the home page of their private practice website and a "contact my office" page. Practice Website

Now that you know the importance of internal linking and how many links to use, you’re probably wondering how to go about actually implementing them. Here are a few tips:

1. Prioritize the key pages of your website:

Identify the most important pages of your site. These might include your homepage, services pages, and contact page. Make sure that these pages are linked to frequently throughout your site.

2. Include anchor text for internal links:

Anchor text is the words that are hyperlinked to a different page. Use descriptive language that accurately describes the content on the other side of the link. In other words, use words that make sense and make it clear to readers where the link will take them. The anchor text should give website visitors a good idea what the page they’re going to is about.

3. Link related pages together:

Look for opportunities to link related pages together, such as your blog posts or FAQs pages. One thing I like to do is put a “Check out our blogs about _____” section on each service page. Then, I link list a bunch of blog posts I’ve written on that topic. This gets links to each of those pages which shows Google they matter. However, it also provides useful information to potential clients and encourages them to stay on the site longer. On the flip side, I also link every single blog post I write to one or more of my service pages.

4. Use internal links in your content:

Add relevant internal links to the content you’re writing, such as blog posts or web page copy. Not only does this provide more link equity for those pages but it also provides visitors with easy access to other related information on your site. For example, if you’re an SLP running a private practice and you wrote blog post on expressive language, you could link to a page about speech therapy services at the end of the post. This provides readers with easy access to more information about how they can get help from you and encourages them to explore other areas of your website.

Don’t Overlook Internal Links When Optimizing

Using internal links on your website is important for SEO and providing a better experience for website visitors. It’s also really helpful for encouraging Google to index your entire website. When you’re optimizing your individual website pages for SEO, please do not overlook this important element. Start by adding internal links to your key pages and then build outward from there.

It may feel odd at first. In fact, you may at first feel like you’re putting too many links in. However, it’s been my experience that most practice owners actually underuse internal links. As long as you’re linking relevant pages together, you’ll be in great shape!

Photo of a desk with the words SEO written on it and different terms pointing to it reading content, strategy, traffic, social media, web, links, and keyword. This photo represents the work that goes into SEO. By adding internal links you can make your page relevant to Google.SEO Services for Private Practice Owners

If you’re looking for help with optimizing your private practice website, look no further than Simplified SEO Consulting. Our team of experts specializes in helping healthcare private practices increase their visibility online. Our SEO services for SLPs include a variety of done-for-you SEO services as well as various seo training options including affordable DIY courses and small group intensives. Contact us today to get started!

About the Author

Jessica Tappana is the founder and CEO of Simplified SEO Consulting. She owns a group psychotherapy practice with around 12 clinicians and began learning SEO when she was initially trying to grow her own private practice. Since then, she’s hired a small group of SEO professionals all of whom she describes as being smarter than she is…especially when it comes to techy things! She has really high expectations for offering excellent customer service and believes in using the strengths of each SEO Specialist which drives our team approach to optimizing.

Value of an “About the Author” section on your blog posts: increase your EAT score with Google

Image of a man smiling while typing on a computer. How to build SEO for therapists? Including and about the author will help with good SEO for therapists. Contact us today to see how we can help you with SEO for private practices. Reach out now!Did you know that there is value in including an “About the Author” section at the end of each of your blogs? It plays a role in EAT. Increasing your EAT score with Google means increasing ranking power which is what we are all about at Simplified SEO Consulting

Chances are that you are reading this blog because you are either interested in working on SEO for your website or you are already investing in SEO. This means (whether you realize it yet or not) that you care about establishing EAT with Google. EAT stands for expertise, authority, and trust and it plays an important role in SEO. We are going to talk about how you can use your “About the Author” section at the end of your blogs to further your ranking power.

Make The “About The Author” Specific To The Blog

An important aspect of using the “About the Author” is to make the section specific to each blog. If the blog you wrote is related to trauma but the about the author is geared to anxiety then it isn’t going to have the full ranking power that it could. Both readers and Google want timely, truthful, and helpful content from a person specially trained expert in the area. By individualizing the “About the Author” we are able to use it as a part of EAT and as a ranking factor.

Example of an “About the Author”

Below is an example of an “About the Author” section for a blog related to trauma.

Jane Doe is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Example Therapy Group in Chicago, IL. She received her Master of Social Work from Washington University in St.Louis. As a trauma therapist, she specializes in working with teens and adults who have been through a traumatic event. She is specially trained in EMDR and uses it to help her clients process negative and traumatic memories. Jane believes strongly in the power of therapy to reduce and eliminate trauma and PTSD symptoms. It is her mission to support her clients in their healing journey so they can live a full and happy life.

In the example above Jane Doe is highlighted as a trauma therapist with expertise in treating trauma and PTSD symptoms. This helps solidify her as an expert and enhances her authority on the topic of the blog for both Google and the readers 

“About the Author” is for the Readers & Google

Establishing EAT for Google

Whenever we write content we want it to rank well on Google. Higher rankings mean people actually see the content you spent valuable time writing. This then leads to more visitors to your website and hopefully more conversions of visitors into clients. The tricky part is we have to convince Google that we really know what we are talking about. An “About the Author” section does just that. It establishes you as an expert and authority on the topic of the blog. Thus allowing Google to build trust that ranking your website highly is the right choice.

Image of a woman writing in a journal with a computer sitting in front of her. We provide help with SEO for mental health professionals. As a part of SEO for therapists, we suggest including an About the Auther section. Are you needing SEO for private practices? We can help, reach out now!

Establishing EAT for the Reader

It is important for people to know that what they are reading is credible and that it is coming from someone who knows what they are talking about. This is especially true in the medical and mental health fields. An “About the Author” tailored to the topic of the blog helps assure the reader that you have the expertise and authority to write on the subject. Further enhancing their trust in you and your website. This increases the likelihood that they will look at more of your pages, convert into clients, or come back to your website when they are ready for more help.

Why We Are Talking About This Now

With each Google update, including this section as a part of blogs seems to become more and more important as a ranking factor. In May 2022 Google released another update. Once again we saw the topic of the “About the Author” sections come up again. With their newest update including them in your blogs has more “SEO juice” and ranking power than ever before. 

Final Thoughts on SEO for Therapists &”About the Author” Sections

As an SEO specialist for therapists, I  suggest starting to write an individualized “About the Author” section as a part of your content writing process. After you create the main content of your blog then write a paragraph about yourself. 

  • What makes you qualified to give advice on the subject you just wrote about? 
  • Do you have specialized training that relates to the topic?
  • Who do you work with and how did you help them?

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to this section on every blog. In other words, you don’t have to make these extravagantly different between each post. However, you do need to make sure that you do not have duplicate content on your blogs.

We Can Help You Learn More About SEO for Therapists

At Simplified SEO Consulting we know know that learning all the ins and out of search engine optimization for counselors can be difficult. Our SEO specialists are here to help! We have services ranging from SEO intensive training so you can learn how to optimize your own website to done for you SEO. It can be a big step to invest in SEO but we are here to help you at every step. Start by following these steps:

  1. Make a free appointment with our knowledgeable Consultation Team
  2. Learn more about our dedicated team of SEO Specialists for therapists
  3. Start ranking higher on Google and filling your schedule with clients

Services Offered at Simplified SEO Consulting

Our Mental Health SEO specialists are here to help you get optimal search engine optimization for counselors. Are you short on time but want to move forward with SEO? Then our Done for You package is for you. Looking to build your knowledge on SEO for yourself? Wanting to reduce costs by working on your own website? Then enrolling in our SEO intensive training or online course are options built for you. Whichever route you choose Simplified SEO Consulting will provide you with support and guidance. Get started with your free 30-minute consultation today!

About the Author:

Image of the blogs author Winnie. As a mental health SEO specialist Winnie is ready to help you with private practice SEO. Contact us today to see what packages we offer for SEO help for therapists.Winnie is a part of our dedicated team of SEO Specialists at Simplified SEO Consulting. She enjoys learning and growing her knowledge in not only SEO but also mental health. Staying up to date on all aspects of SEO, such as about the author sections, so she can bring you the best service possible. (If you have read this far notice the customization to this particular blog.)

Her specialty is working with our clients who have picked our Done for You package. She embraces taking a team approach to optimizing in order to bring all of our clients the most comprehensive services possible. If you’re ready to start on your SEO journey, schedule a consultation. Speak with our Client Success Specialist to discuss how Winnie can support you.