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Understanding Core Web Vitals: What They Are and How to Improve Them

Our clients you’ve probably heard us talk about “on-page vs. off-page seo” at some point in the SEO process

I know we love to talk a bit more about specific on-page SEO aspects, but it’s still very valuable to understand some of the more technical parts that we might not be thinking about every day; your core web vitals.

Now, it should be mentioned there are newer metrics that can be helpful in optimizing web pages. However, for the purposes of this post, we are only going to be focusing on the main three that Google focuses on at this time.

These vitals themselves aren’t a factor that can influence how a page will rank in Google. But, the experience a user has on a page is.

The three core web vitals Google focuses on are things that can make it easier or harder for site visitors to navigate and interact with your site. These vitals go by the names of “Largest Contentful Paint, First Input Delay, and Cumulative Layout Shift”, and they can be some of your best friends or worst foes when improving SEO for therapists. So, today we are going to be discussing:

What each of these metrics are
How to spot issues with each metric on your site
How you can improve them on your site
And an upcoming change in March 2024 that will actually be changing one of these metrics entirely

Without further ado, let’s get into what you should first know about core web vitals.

Understanding Google and core web vitals

As I mentioned above, these vitals do not directly your rankings in Google. However, they do serve as guideposts. They can help you understand what may be affecting a given page on your site, and support creating a more optimized user experience. The better the user experience is, the more likely Google is to have a higher rank in the search results. This influence on ranking is only one of many other things that should be taken into account. Some of these other things can include the quality of your content, page authority, structured data, etc.

Another important thing to take into account is the fact that these metrics can change over time as Google changes. At this time, these are the three main core web vitals. However, this isn’t set in stone and is actually in the process of changing, which we will discuss a bit later.

With that said, let’s talk about the first core web vital, the largest contentful paint.

Core Vital 1: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)

Largest Contentful Paint refers to a metric that measures the perceived loading speed of a web page. It specifically focuses on the moment when the main content that appears “above the fold” becomes visually complete and fully rendered for the user. This is a vital metric at this time because it ensures that visitors see meaningful content at the top of your page as quickly as possible. When it comes to what classifies as a “good” or “bad” score, you can expect:

Good: Load speed is 2.5 seconds or less
Needs Improvement: Load speed is between 2.5 and 4 seconds
Poor: Load speed takes longer than 4 seconds

The elements of your page that are considered when calculating your score include things like images, videos, and text/font on your site.

Core Vital 2: First Input Delay (FID)

FID measures the time from when a user first interacts with a page to when Google actually starts responding to the input. This interaction can be in the form of the individual clicking a link, tapping a button, or other actions like key presses. FID focuses on user interactivity and responsiveness. A low FID indicates that a website is quick to respond to user input. This enhances the user’s sense of control and engagement.

This is important because folks expect responsiveness on well-kept websites. If you click on a button and there is a major delay, it can be a frustrating, laggy experience that actually pushes more people away from your site than it attracts. Users expect sites to respond promptly to actions, and having a poor FID score can lead to higher bounce rates and less engagement/conversions on your site. Scores for FID generally look like the following:

Good: Load speed is 100 milliseconds or less
Needs Improvement: Load speed is between 100 and 300 milliseconds
Poor: Load speed takes longer than 300 milliseconds

Since this web vital is only measured when actions are taken, you can only measure it in the field. However, due to another newcomer in the world of web vitals known as INP, this may not be as important as it has been in the past. But, we’ll get to that in just a bit!

Core Vital 3: Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)

CLS is a measure of the largest burst of layout shift scores for every unexpected layout shift that occurs during the entire lifespan of a page. These layout shifts happen whenever a visible element changes position on the screen. The layout of a page can change for any number of reasons, but these shifts can be really annoying when users don’t expect it. It could cause folks to interact with the wrong elements on your site or lose their place on the page. Ensuring a stable visual experience means that these elements don’t move enough to disrupt a reader’s experience. The score for this metric doesn’t rely on time, but you can expect the following thresholds:

Good: Less than 0.1
Needs Improvement: Between 0.1 and 0.25
Poor: More than 0.25

How to Spot Core Web Vital Issues

In order to identify your CLS score along with the other core web vitals, it is best to use tools that will take live data of your site and give you immediate feedback. Some of these tools Google offers include the Pagespeed Insights tool, Google Search Console, and Lighthouse. Another option that may be helpful is CrUX, but this is a dataset that can be a bit more technical to access and understand. Each of these tools can provide helpful tips on improving each of these metrics. For the purposes of this blog, we won’t go into the specifics of each. But, we will go into a bit more detail on what you can do to improve each of these vital metrics.

How to Improve Each Core Web Metric

LCP

Improving your LCP score comes back to making sure things like images, videos, and fonts aren’t taking up more space than they need to on your site. It means ensuring that you reduce the size of images, embed videos when possible, and only use web fonts intentionally to reduce the size of these elements on a given page. Issues with LCP can also be due to additional code added to your site. So, looking into plugins or other tools that can minify your code or space out the loading of your page can be another great way to help improve your LCP.

FID

Your FID score is most often affected by the amount of Javascript that is used on your site. You can improve it by optimizing how JavaScript parses, compiles, and executes on a given page. This can be accomplished by breaking up longer tasks into smaller segments through code-splitting or deferring unused Javascript code.

It is good to know what to do to support the health of this metric. But, this will soon be changing in the next year with the introduction of the metric Interaction to Next Paint (INP).

CLS

Improving your CLS score can be done by doing things like adding dimensions (width and height) to things like the images and videos you have on pages. Doing so will ensure the browser can reserve that space for these elements when they are loaded again. You can also defer JavaScript to load non-essential files to help increase speed. Another important part of improving CLS is making sure it is eligible for back/front cache (bfcache). Bfcache keeps pages in browsers memory for a short period after you navigate away from a page. If you return to them, then they will be restored exactly as you left them. This means the fully loaded page is instantly available without any shifts which may be seen during load due to a variety of reasons.

The Upcoming Change: FID to Interaction to Next Paint (INP)

In March 2024, Google will actually be switching out FID for another metric known as Interaction to Next Paint. This is a new responsiveness metric that measures how quickly a page responds to user interactions. INP observes the latency of all interactions a user has made with the page and can provide a more accurate estimate of responsiveness than FID. With this in mind, here are the scores you can expect from this metric:

Good: Load speed is 200 milliseconds or less
Needs Improvement: Load speed is between 200 and 500 milliseconds
Poor: Load speed takes longer than 500 milliseconds

To improve INP scores, you will need to identify where the slow interactions on your site are occurring. Once this is done, you can work to optimize these interactions, which are broken down into three parts; the input delay, processing time, and presentation delay. We won’t get into each of these parts in this post, since it deserves its own spotlight!

Begin Improving SEO for Therapists with Simplified SEO Consulting

Our team of SEO specialists are happy to offer support in improving both technical and on-page SEO elements for your site. You can apply to work with Simplified SEO Consulitng by following these simple steps:

Apply to work with us to improve your SEO
Meet with an SEO specialist
Start improving your SEO!

Other Services Offered with Simplified SEO Consulting

We understand the many things involving SEO that you may need help addressing to improve your private practice website. This is why we offer a variety of SEO services including our Done For You SEO Services and DIY Online SEO Courses. We also offer a 12-week Done With You Intensive SEO Program. Visit our blog to learn more about SEO today!

About the Author

Sterling Humburg-Cage graduated from the University of Missouri with a BA in Psychology in 2020. He has integrated 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 issues. He’s great at giving clients multiple options about how to approach a situation, finding solutions to some of the more technical aspects of SEO, and responding in a timely manner to client concerns. Since he started, Sterling has met frequently with our alumni and provided them with extra problem-solving support. He now provides additional support with a variety of local SEO services. He often goes the extra mile to do outside research. By doing so, he sure private practice owners have everything they need to rank well on search engines long term for the keywords their ideal clients are using!

November 21, 2023/0 Comments/by Sterling Humburg-Cage

SEO Basics, SEO Tips, SEO Tools

Building an Effective Online Therapy Website: A Guide for Therapists

In today’s digital age, the demand for online therapy services is rising. This is why having a strong online presence is essential for therapists looking to connect with potential clients. As a therapist, creating a well-designed and functional online therapy website is essential for reaching a wider audience and providing convenient, secure, and effective mental health support. In this blog from us here at Simplified SEO Consulting, we’ll explore the crucial elements of building a successful online therapy website that instills trust, engagement, and positive outcomes.

Define Your Niche and Target Audience

Before you start building your online therapy website, it’s crucial to define your niche and target audience. Consider the type of therapy you specialize in, whether it’s cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, or any other approach. Understanding your niche will help you create content and messaging that resonate with your specific audience.

Identify your target audience, including their demographics, needs, and preferences. Are you focusing on adolescents, adults, couples, or a particular demographic? Tailor your website’s content, design, and marketing strategies to cater to the unique requirements of your chosen audience.

Knowing your niche and target audience also enables you to create content that speaks directly to their needs and concerns. For instance, if you specialize in marriage counseling, you can develop blog posts or resources that address common relationship issues. This content can serve as a valuable resource for your audience, demonstrating your expertise and the practical assistance you can offer.

Develop a User-Friendly Website Design

The design of your online therapy website plays a pivotal role in user engagement and trust-building. Your homepage is your digital front door. It should immediately convey a sense of professionalism and warmth. Use high-quality images and a concise, welcoming message to make visitors feel at ease. Consider adding an “About Me” page as an opportunity to introduce yourself and build a connection with potential clients. Share your qualifications, experience, and personal approach to therapy.

Clear Navigation

Ensure that your website has a clear and intuitive navigation structure. Visitors should easily find essential information like your services, contact details, and appointment scheduling. An organized and user-friendly layout not only enhances user experience but also helps with SEO (Search Engine Optimization), making it easier for potential clients to find your website in search results.

Mobile Responsiveness

Given the increasing use of mobile devices, it’s imperative to have a mobile-responsive design. Your website should look and function well on smartphones and tablets. Google also considers mobile-friendliness as a ranking factor, so this is essential for your website’s visibility.

Professional Branding

Use a consistent color scheme, fonts, and imagery to create a professional and cohesive brand. This branding should also reflect your practice’s values and approach to therapy. A strong and consistent brand identity not only helps with recognition but also conveys trust and reliability.

Call-to-Action (CTA) Buttons

Place clear CTA buttons for actions like scheduling an appointment, signing up for newsletters, or accessing resources. Make sure they stand out and are easily accessible. CTAs are your digital handshakes, guiding visitors toward the actions you want them to take, such as contacting you for an appointment or subscribing to your newsletter for updates and resources.

High-Quality Content

Use high-quality, well-organized content to convey your expertise and provide valuable information to your visitors. Content marketing is a powerful tool for building your online presence and credibility. Consider creating a blog where you can share articles on mental health topics, self-help tips, and insights into therapy techniques. This not only showcases your knowledge but also engages your audience and can attract organic traffic to your site. Frequently update your content to keep it fresh and engaging. Google tends to favor websites that regularly produce new, high-quality content.

In addition to these design principles, remember to optimize your website for search engines. This involves identifying and using relevant keywords in your content and meta descriptions so potential clients can find your services. Optimize your website’s metadata, including title tags and meta descriptions. Additionally, use descriptive alt text for images to improve accessibility and SEO. An SEO-friendly website helps improve your online visibility and can lead to more organic traffic, which can be particularly beneficial for your practice.

Prioritize Privacy and Security

As a mental health professional, client privacy and data security should be your top priorities. Online therapy involves sensitive and personal information, so you must invest in robust security measures. Here’s how:

Secure Communication: Ensure that your website and communication channels are encrypted to protect the confidentiality of client information. Secure sockets layer (SSL) certificates are essential to encrypt the data exchanged between your website and your clients. This encryption helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information and demonstrates your commitment to safeguarding client privacy.

HIPAA Compliance: If you are in the United States, familiarize yourself with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, which set standards for the protection of sensitive health information. HIPAA compliance is critical if you are providing therapy to clients in the U.S. Online therapy platforms that claim HIPAA compliance often encrypt data, protect against unauthorized access, and implement strict access controls. Ensuring HIPAA compliance is a legal obligation and a trust-building factor for your clients.

Choose a Secure Platform: Select a reliable and secure platform or hosting provider that is committed to safeguarding your website from potential security breaches. Research hosting providers that offer robust security features, regular updates, and strong customer support. For therapy websites, a managed hosting service can be a great option as it takes care of security, updates, and performance optimization, allowing you to focus on your practice.

Privacy Policy: Create a clear and comprehensive privacy policy that outlines how you handle client data and ensures transparency. Your privacy policy should detail what information you collect, how it is used, and how it is protected. Having a transparent and comprehensive privacy policy reassures potential clients that their data will be handled with care and respect.

Building and Maintaining an Effective Online Therapy Website is an Ongoing Process

Creating an online therapy website is just the start of an ever-evolving and constant process. With that in mind, it is important to regularly update your content, monitor website performance, and stay informed about evolving best practices. Remember that a well-designed website can significantly impact your ability to connect with and assist those in need of your services. Your online presence is an extension of your therapeutic practice, and it should convey the same care and professionalism you offer in person. Whether you’re just starting your online therapy practice or looking to enhance your existing website, focusing on these core elements will help you build a strong foundation for your digital presence.

Ready to Learn how SEO can help your Online Therapy Website?

If you have started your online therapy website recently or want to figure out how to make your current online therapy website flourish reach out to us here at Simplfied SEO Consulting. The SEO services we provide can help you get the clients you want and become a more successful business. Our team of SEO specialists can assist you and your specific needs. To get to work with us follow the steps below:

Reach out to schedule a free consultation.
Speak with a professional SEO specialist.
Start seeing your business grow.

Other Services Offered at Simplified SEO Consulting

Whether you are waiting to improve your online therapy website or consult with an SEO specialist, Simplified SEO Consulting can help you. If you are interested in learning more about SEO, we offer a wide range of services to enhance your online presence. In addition to our tailored SEO services, we also provide a variety of other options to suit your needs.

These include a comprehensive 12-week training program or small-group SEO intensives designed to teach you all about SEO. If you prefer a more independent approach, our DIY online SEO courses offer a flexible learning experience to sharpen your skills at your own pace. For those with some SEO experience looking to collaborate with our experienced team members, our Done-for-You SEO Program may be the perfect fit. Whatever your level of expertise and goals, our diverse set of services can help you grow your business. Don’t wait, reach out today to begin your SEO journey.

About the Author

Christian Cevallos is a Mental Health SEO Specialist who has a background in journalism, psychology, and digital media which gives him a unique perspective when it comes to SEO, the mental health field, and much more. Christian has a dedication to helping others whether through his previous experience or with his knowledge of social media and ever-changing trends. Beyond his expertise in the fields mentioned before, Christian approaches any work, client, or challenge with empathy and understanding, while also recognizing the importance of creating an environment where ideas and people can thrive.

November 2, 2023/0 Comments/by Christian Cevallos

SEO Basics, SEO Tips, SEO Tools

Do I Need to Hire Someone for SEO?

In the vast and ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, one question frequently plagues business owners and website managers: “Do I need to hire someone for SEO?” Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a crucial aspect of ensuring that your website is discoverable by search engines and, subsequently, by potential customers. The answer to whether you should do it yourself or enlist the services of an SEO specialist is not a one-size-fits-all solution; it depends on various factors. In this comprehensive blog, we’ll explore how to make an informed decision about whether to go it alone with your SEO or hire an expert.

Understanding the Basics of SEO

Before we dive into the decision-making process, it’s essential to grasp the fundamentals of SEO. At its core, SEO is the practice of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for relevant keywords and phrases. The goal is to attract organic, non-paid traffic to your site. SEO encompasses a broad spectrum of activities, from keyword research and on-page optimization to technical SEO and link building.

Additionally, content creation, user experience improvements, and staying up-to-date with search engine algorithm changes are all integral components of a successful SEO strategy. Understanding these key aspects of SEO will empower you to make informed decisions about your approach and whether you should consider seeking professional assistance in your digital marketing endeavors.

The DIY Approach

Opting to manage SEO on your own offers several distinct advantages. First, it’s cost-effective; many resources and tools are readily available for free or at a minimal cost. This makes it a budget-friendly option that doesn’t require a significant financial commitment.

Additionally, your in-depth knowledge of your business plays a crucial role. As a business owner, you possess an intimate understanding of your industry and target audience. This can be leveraged to select the right keywords and create content that really connects with your customers. Moreover, you retain full control over your SEO strategy. This allows you to make real-time adjustments and experiment with different approaches, providing a level of adaptability that can be invaluable in a dynamic business environment.

Lastly, diving into SEO is a learning experience that enriches your knowledge and skills, ultimately benefiting your business in the long run. Even if you later choose to hire an SEO specialist, having a grasp of the basics will enable more effective collaboration and decision-making.

The Need for Professional SEO Services

SEO is complex and multifaceted, and SEO specialists are well-versed in the intricacies of the field, including technical SEO, algorithm updates, and industry best practices. They have the expertise to navigate these areas effectively, ensuring your website ranks well in search results. Moreover, SEO is a time-consuming endeavor, diverting your attention from important business activities.

By entrusting your SEO needs to a professional or agency, you can save valuable time and resources, allowing you to focus on what you do best. These experts also develop a holistic strategy. Which they tailor to your specific goals and needs, covering on-page and off-page optimization, content creation, and continuous monitoring to ensure your website’s long-term success. They bring access to tools and resources that are often expensive, making them cost-prohibitive for businesses without dedicated SEO budgets. Finally, SEO professionals stay updated with the constantly changing search engine algorithms. These SEO specialists dedicate themselves to keeping your website competitive in the dynamic online landscape.

How to Decide: DIY vs. Hiring an SEO Specialist

When deciding whether to handle SEO on your own or hire a professional, several factors come into play. Your budget is a key consideration; if you have limited financial resources, a DIY approach is, as mentioned before, a cost-effective starting point. However, it’s essential to recognize that SEO is a long-term investment, and a professional’s expertise may produce better results.

Time is another crucial aspect. Evaluating the time you can realistically devote to SEO is important. If your plate is already full with other responsibilities, delegating SEO to a professional who can focus exclusively on it may be a more strategic choice. Additionally, the complexity of your website and your SEO objectives matter; simple sites with minimal competition might suit a DIY approach. Whereas larger, intricate websites often benefit from professional guidance. Consider your immediate vs. long-term goals; if you require quick results, a professional is likely the best path, but if you’re building a sustainable online presence for the long haul, investing in SEO expertise can also be wise. Lastly, weigh your own SEO knowledge; if you’re a beginner, start with the basics, but for advanced strategies, it’s advisable to bring in an expert.

Finding the Right SEO Specialist

If you decide that hiring an SEO specialist is the best route for your business, you’ll want to take steps to ensure you find the right fit. Here are some tips for finding a qualified and reputable SEO specialist. First, review their past work to get an idea of how they operate and the results they’ve achieved for other clients. Additionally, ask for references and read online reviews from other clients to gauge their reputation and reliability.

When considering hiring an SEO specialist, it’s essential to ask about their approach. They should be able to outline a clear strategy that aligns with your business goals. Transparency is key, as a good SEO specialist will be transparent about their methods while also providing regular reports on their work and the results achieved. Don’t just focus on cost vs. value; consider the value they offer, as a higher upfront investment may pay off in the long run with better results. Lastly, communication is important; ensure there is open and effective communication between you and the SEO specialist or agency, and they should be responsive to your questions and concerns to build a successful partnership.

Begin SEO Services with an SEO Specialist at Simplified SEO Consulting!

The decision of whether to do your SEO yourself or hire a professional is a vital one. It depends on your resources, goals, and how much time you have to commit to SEO. Both options have their merits, and the right choice for your business will depend on a careful evaluation of these factors. Regardless of your decision, remember that SEO is an ongoing process, and staying informed about the latest developments in the field is crucial for success. If the prospect of integrating SEO into your online presence seems overwhelming or time-consuming, our team is here to assist you. We have a team of dedicated SEO specialists ready to provide the guidance and expertise necessary for your business to thrive. Kickstart your journey with us at Simplified SEO Consulting by following the steps below:

Reach out for a free SEO consultation.
Speak with an experienced SEO specialist.
Start your journey to success today!

Other Services Offered at Simplified SEO Consulting

Whether you choose the DIY path or consult with an SEO specialist, Simplified SEO Consulting can help you. If you are interested in learning more about SEO, we offer a wide range of services to enhance your online presence. In addition to our tailored SEO services, we also provide a variety of other options to suit your needs.

About the Author

October 5, 2023/1 Comment/by Christian Cevallos

Analytics, Backlinks, Business Tips, SEO Basics, SEO Tips

What Does an SEO Agency Do?

An SEO agency is a specialized company that helps improve the online presence and visibility of businesses. They do this through search engine optimization techniques. These techniques involve optimizing a website’s content, structure, and other factors to increase its ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is a strategic process to improve your private practice or law firms’s online presence. It ensures your website appears at the top of search engine results when potential clients search for relevant keywords. These can be keywords such as “private practice SEO” or “SEO for online therapy.”

For counselors, SEO is not just about appearing in search results but appearing in the right ones. Those that prospective patients are actively searching for. By utilizing keywords specific to your practice and niche, an SEO agency can help attract targeted traffic to your website and ultimately increase the number of clients for your private practice. But it’s not just about gaining leads! It’s also about converting those leads into actual clients. A good SEO agency will work with your website’s structure and call to action, making it easier for potential clients to contact you. In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of SEO for therapists and how an SEO agency can help you achieve your business goals.

Understanding SEO Basics for Therapists

Before diving into the specifics of how an SEO agency can help you, it’s important to understand some SEO basics. Let’s start with keywords and key phrases. These are the exact terms clients search for or even relative terms Google (and other search engines) uses to determine the relevance of your website. For example, if you’re a therapist in Arkansas, a potential client may search for “therapists in Arkansas.” In this case, “therapists” and “Arkansas” are the keywords and they should be included in your website’s content.

Another crucial aspect falls under On-Page Optimization. This process involves refining elements on your website to make it more attractive to search engines. Some examples of these are meta descriptions and title tags. These should be crafted to be compelling and keyword-rich, while the focus of your content should be on header tags, content structure, and relevance to your potential client. These elements provide cues to search engines about the hierarchy and relevance of your content. Using proper header tags (H1, H2, H3) can make it easier for search engines to understand what your website is about and improve your ranking.

Finally, we have Off-Page Optimization.

Off-Page Optimization includes strategies to enhance your website’s reputation and authority when it comes to search engine ranking. One way to achieve this is through backlinks, which are links from other websites that lead to your website. Search engines see backlinks as a vote of confidence for your website and view it as a credible source to display on their results pages.

This involves building quality backlinks. Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. They are a significant factor in how search engines rank your site. Social media signals, such as shares and likes, can also contribute to your site’s ranking. These signals can also play a significant role in Off-Page Optimization. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter (now known as X) can help drive traffic to your website. But also boost engagement and build relationships with potential clients.

The Role of an SEO Agency in Private Practice SEO

Working with an SEO agency, such as Simplified SEO Consulting, can significantly enhance your private practice’s visibility online. In today’s world, most people turn to search engines to find therapists. This is why it’s crucial that your practice appears in relevant search results. Here’s how we can support you:

Market Research and Keyword Analysis

We start by identifying and analyzing relevant keywords for your practice. For example, we target keywords that align with your niche and services, such as “counselors for anxiety” or “online therapy for depression.” Our team uses advanced tools to discover the terms potential clients use when searching for therapy services. We also conduct in-depth competitor analysis to understand what keywords your competitors are using and how to differentiate your practice from theirs.

Website Auditing and Recommendations

A part of our service is that we perform a comprehensive audit of your website from an SEO perspective. This is where we pinpoint areas where improvements can be made on your website. This includes a technical SEO assessment to ensure search engines can effectively crawl and index your site. For example, we check for broken links, duplicate content, and page load speed. We also focus on improving the user experience by making your website more accessible and easy to navigate.

Content Strategy and Creation

If you are an avid Simplified blog reader, you will know we love to remind our clients and potential clients that content is king in SEO! This is why we place a strong emphasis on content strategy and creation. We work with you to develop engaging, SEO-optimized content that resonates with your target audience.

Our experienced copywriter creates content that balances information and marketing, so your website not only ranks well but also converts visitors into clients. This is done by highlighting the unique aspects of your practice while also providing valuable insights for potential clients.

Link Building and Outreach

Lastly, a service that we may offer in the future is ethical link-building practices. This involves us helping your website build relationships with reputable sites in your niche. This can be done by earning backlinks through guest posts, mentions, and collaborations. We understand the importance of using ethical techniques for link-building to ensure long-term success for your website.

By leveraging these strategies, our aim is to maximize your online visibility and attract more prospective patients to your practice. SEO for online therapy is not just about driving traffic, it’s about attracting the right traffic. Potential clients who are genuinely interested in and in need of your services.

SEO Reporting and Analytics for Therapists

SEO for online therapy is not a one-time strategy. It requires constant monitoring and adjustments to stay ahead of the competition and in front of potential clients. This is where SEO reporting and analytics come into play. These tools and techniques allow you to measure the success of your SEO efforts and make data-driven decisions. This way you can improve your private practice’s online visibility.

Tracking Keyword Rankings

An important aspect is knowing where your website ranks for specific keywords. This is crucial. Utilizing tools such as Google Analytics and other advanced SEO software, we monitor your keyword performance regularly. This reveals trends in your website’s visibility and identifies areas for improvement in your SEO strategy. By tracking keyword rankings, we can also identify which keywords are converting into actual appointments for your practice. As part of our service, we provide regular reports on your keyword rankings and offer advice on how to improve them.

Monitoring Traffic and Conversions

Additionally, traffic to your website is another important part of the equation. What visitors do once they arrive on your website is another. Engagement metrics, such as the number of pages viewed per visit, bounce rate, and time spent on your website, are critical indicators of your site’s performance. But our primary focus lies in conversion tracking. This is specifically, how many visitors book an appointment with your practice.

Through tracking and analytics, we can understand user behavior on your website better. This data helps us optimize your website to improve user experience, increase engagement, and importantly, convert more visitors into clients. Through utilizing SEO reporting and analytics, we can continuously refine your website to ensure it appeals to both search engines and potential clients.

DIY vs. Hiring an SEO Agency: Pros and Cons for Private Practice SEO

When it comes to search engine optimization for counselors and online therapy providers, there’s a common question: should you take a DIY approach or hire an SEO agency? Luckily for you, Simplified SEO Consulting supports both options as we have DIY courses and services for private practice owners, as well as full-service SEO support. Here are some pros and cons to consider:

Advantages of Hiring an SEO Agency for Done-For-You Services

Expertise and industry knowledge: As an SEO agency, we have a team of professionals who specialize in search engine optimization. They are up-to-date with the latest trends, algorithms, and strategies to help your practice rank higher on search engines.
Time-saving and focus on core services: As a private practice owner, your time and energy are best spent focusing on providing quality therapy. By hiring an SEO agency, like us, you can leave the technical aspects of SEO to SEO specialists and have more time to focus on your core services.

What Considerations to Keep in Mind for DIY SEO

Time commitment and learning curve: DIY SEO requires a significant time commitment. You also will need a willingness to learn and stay updated on best practices. As a private practice owner, you may not have the luxury of time to dedicate to learning SEO. However, the benefit of learning and implementing SEO is that you can maintain your website’s SEO in the long run.

Initial costs vs. long-term benefits: DIY SEO may have lower upfront costs, but it requires a consistent investment of time and effort to see results. You also need to consider that if you do not have the expertise, you may make costly mistakes that can harm your website’s SEO in the long term.

Remember, the decision to utilize DIY SEO or hire an SEO agency for Done-For-You services is not one-size-fits-all. It depends on your available time, budget, and comfort level with SEO. Whichever path you choose, remember that SEO is a critical part of attracting and retaining clients for your therapy practice.

Ultimately, Make Informed Decisions for Your Practice

At Simplified SEO Consulting, our goal is to empower therapists with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their private practice’s online presence. We hope this blog has provided valuable insights into the world of SEO for therapists and online therapy providers. Whether you choose to explore DIY resources or hire an SEO agency for full-service support, we encourage you to take action based on informed choices.

Remember, your website is often the first impression potential clients have of your practice. So investing in SEO can greatly benefit your online visibility and attract more clients. Ones who are genuinely interested in and in need of your services. To take the next step towards improving your private practice’s SEO, we recommend contacting an SEO agency (like us!) for a consultation or exploring our DIY resources for private practice owners.

Consider Hiring an SEO Agency Like Simplified SEO Consulting for Your Private Practice SEO!

At Simplified SEO Consulting, we specialize in providing effective search engine optimization services for therapists and online therapy providers. We understand the unique needs of private practice owners and tailor our services to help you attract clients and grow your business. Our team of SEO specialists stays updated on best practices and works closely with you to improve your website’s online visibility. We have a variety of SEO packages to fit your budget and needs. Plus, we offer DIY resources for those who prefer a more hands-on approach.

No matter what stage you are at in your private practice journey, we have the tools and expertise to support your SEO needs. Want to learn about SEO? Sign up for our SEO Course for Therapists and learn how to use the power of blogs and SEO to reach more clients and grow your practice! Or want to outsource it? Check out our SEO Consulting packages and schedule your consult today! Ready to get started?

Schedule Your Consult
Learn about our team
Improve your website’s SEO, attract more clients, and grow your business with Simplified SEO Consulting!

Other SEO Services At Simplified SEO Consulting

If you feel as if you are already an expert in SEO, or you want to know more about the other services we provide, check out our other SEO services for therapists and online therapy providers. We offer options such as our 12-week training, small group intensives, and courses. Our strategy session can be a great option if you’re just getting started and want to make sure your website is set up for success. We also provide ongoing support with our SEO maintenance packages, perfect for private practice owners who want to ensure their website’s SEO stays optimized. Or, if you’re ready to work with a passionate and skilled team, our Done for You Program is perfect for you. Whatever your SEO needs, Simplified SEO Consulting has the resources and expertise to help you achieve your online goals.

About the Author:

Meet Lynsey, the passionate SEO Content Specialist at Simplified SEO Consulting, who has a knack for transforming technical SEO language into engaging and informative content. With experience in both the mental health industry and SEO, Lynsey loves helping therapists and online therapy providers grow their businesses through effective SEO strategies. When she’s not writing or optimizing content, you can find her spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, or reading a book. To learn more about Lynsey and the rest of our team at Simplified SEO Consulting, visit our website today! Remember, investing in your private practice’s SEO is an investment in your business’s growth and success. Contact Simplified SEO Consulting today to learn more about how we can help you elevate your private practice’s online presence!

October 3, 2023/0 Comments/by Lynsey Heskett

SEO Basics, SEO Tips, SEO Tools

Navigating the SEO Jungle: A Guide to Basic SEO Vocabulary

In the vast and ever-evolving realm of digital marketing, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) stands as a great strategy for boosting online visibility. SEO encompasses a multitude of techniques and strategies so understanding its language is crucial for success in this field. In this blog post, Simplified SEO Consulting will be your guide through the jungle of SEO vocabulary. Now let’s break down key terms and concepts to empower you in your SEO journey!

The Basics of SEO Terminology

Search Engine: Online platform that allows users to search for information on the internet. These search engines are designed to index, crawl, and retrieve web pages and other types of content from websites across the internet. For example:

Google
DuckDuckGo
Yahoo
Bing

Search Engine Results Page (SERP): Refers to the page that a search engine displays to a user after they enter what they’re searching for

Keyword Research: The process of finding and analyzing terms that people use when searching for information related to your business or services

Ranking: The position at which a particular web page appears in the search engine results pages (SERPs)

Keyword: The main word you are focusing on related to your practice, law firm, or services

On-Page SEO Vocabulary

Title Tag: Displayed as the clickable link in search engine results pages (SERPs)

Meta Description: Brief summary of a web page or blog that appears on the SERP below the title tag

Header Tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.): Used to structure & organize the content on a webpage and indicate the hierarchy of information

H1: Essentially the title of your page

H2-H3: Subheadings to support your content

P: Text content

Content: The textual, visual, or multimedia elements that make up the information on a web page

Keyword Density: The number of times your keyword is found in your content

Internal and External Links: Content should include internal links to other relevant pages or blogs on the same website and external links to authoritative sources for additional information

Readability: Content should be easy to read and understand. Clear headings, short paragraphs, bullet points, and a logical structure improve readability

Off-Page SEO Vocabulary

Backlink: When your website is linked to another website (directories, resource list, podcasts)

Nofollow: Hyperlink attribute that is used to tell search engines not to follow or crawl the linked webpage

Dofollow: Hyperlinks that allow search engine crawlers to follow and index the linked web page

Technical SEO Vocabulary

Crawling and Indexing: Web crawlers scan and catalog web pages. It involves analyzing the content, keywords, links, and other elements of each webpage

Page Speed: The amount of time it takes for a web page to load and become fully functional for a user when they visit a website

Mobile Optimization: Ensuring it displays and functions correctly on smaller screens (phones, tablets, etc.)

Local SEO Vocabulary

Local SEO: Anything you do to help Google better understand where your business is located or is relevant so you show up more often in local search results

NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number): Basic business information like hours, locations, addresses, etc. that must be consistent and accurate across various online platforms, directories, and websites

Google My Business (GMB): A powerful tool for local businesses looking to enhance their online presence and improve their visibility search results near their location

SEO Metrics and Analytics Vocabulary

Organic Traffic: The position of a webpage in the unpaid, natural search results of a search engine

Click-Through Rate (CTR): Percentage of users who click on a specific link or search result in relation to the number of total users who view that link or result

Learn More SEO Vocabulary with Simplified SEO Consulting Today!

Mastering SEO vocabulary is the first step towards unlocking the full potential of your SEO journey! As you navigate through the ever-changing landscape of SEO, these essential terms and concepts will serve as your compass. Let Simplified SEO Consulting guide you towards higher rankings, increased organic traffic, and online success. Our SEO Specialists are here to work with you to reach your ideal clients. We make it easy for you!

Schedule a free consultation!
Learn more about our team and the packages we offer.
Watch your practice thrive.

Other Services Simplified SEO Offers:

Are you ready to take the next step? Enroll in our Small Group SEO Intensive now and start preparing your website for optimization! If you’re interested in private instruction, check out our 12-Week SEO Intensive Training Program. Don’t have the time or expertise? Our team of expert SEO specialists can do it for you. Read more about our Done-For-You program

here!

About the Author

Olivia Ferguson graduated from Central Michigan University with her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. With a prior history in crime victim advocacy, this brought her great knowledge of the legal justice system and the mental health profession. Connecting those tools together, her goal is to help individuals reach their ideal clients by improving their online presence and rankings with SEO.

September 21, 2023/0 Comments/by Olivia Ferguson

SEO Basics, SEO Tips, SEO Tools

Breaking Down Your Site Audit Report: What to Look For & How to Understand It

Understanding the issues that occur on your site is a vital part of long-term SEO success

As your practice evolves on your SEO journey, so will the structure of your site. But, growing pains are often an inescapable part of change. It’s essential to keep an eye on the errors that may occur. Site audits can show us a wealth of invaluable info about issues present on your site. But, there can be a lot of information to take in from these reports. So, today we will be breaking down the different results the site audit can show us from our Data Dashboard. We will also discuss what issues must be addressed when they arise.

Classifying Your Site Audit Results

When looking at your site audit, you will be able to see the number of pages that have been reviewed, the date the most recent audit was run, and which audit tests have passed or failed. You will also notice three types of errors that form based on these failed tests. These are split up into warnings, errors, and critical errors. By clicking on an individual test, you can see what pages are affected by the issue, and provide extra info to help resolve them.

Warnings

No site is perfect, and there are bound to be things that are perceived as errors by the site audit. The most common will be the warnings that occur in different forms on the site. Warnings can involve on-page elements such as missing headings, a low word count, or excessively long titles. They can also involve more technical aspects of your site like long loading times, missing meta descriptions, and high waiting times.

Errors

Being a step up from warnings, errors are issues that can have more of an impact on how potential visitors to your site interact with each page. This can include issues like broken resources (like images), broken links, and duplicate meta descriptions. There are some errors that are related to critical errors, but most remain in their own category.

Critical Errors

Critical errors are the most severe type of issue that can occur on the site audit. These errors are critical because they directly affect the ability to access pages on your site. The most common critical errors we encounter are 4xx errors, which are broken links that may occur for a number of reasons like a page no longer existing on the site, requiring a sign-in, or requiring a form of authentication. Other critical errors may be 5xx errors, which prevent both search engines and people from accessing your website. However, 5xx errors are often due to issues on the server side, which isn’t anything we can really control.

Understanding What Issues to Resolve

An image of a wooden block with a question mark. Learn tips for improving SEO for online therapy and improving private practice SEO. Search for search engine optimization for counselors for support today. While knowing the cause of each issue is invaluable, it still may not be worth the time to go through and fix every single warning, error, and critical error on the site. There are many different unique warnings and errors that may occur on your site, so we won’t be addressing every issue in this post. Each concern has a description of why the error/warning is occurring, so making use of that resource will be important when reviewing your site audit.

In terms of warnings and errors, it may not be worth the time invested to fix all of them. For issues like a slightly slow page speed, it is worth taking into account what you will gain from fixing the error compared to how much time you are putting into solving the problem. For a vast majority of warnings, they won’t really be worth the time put into resolving the issue. However, there are errors that can occur that are worth taking the time to address. This is due to how they can impact the on-page experience and navigation of folks visiting your site.

One of the main errors that we suggest fixing is “broken resources”.

These can be things like images, stylesheets, and scripts that are failing to load on your site. This may be due to files no longer being available on the site, or a number of other scenarios. Having broken resources can be distracting for visitors to your site and can make it seem like things aren’t up to date, thus harming the trust visitors have in your site.

On the other hand, there are other errors that may be present on your report that seem like issues but are actually signs you are doing things correctly on your site.

One such example could be pages not being recognized as canonical. This can be seen as the main version of a page when there exist other versions of the same page. In many cases, the site audit can falsely flag alternative versions of pages as not being canonical (the original), when the “main” or “original” page is already in its rightful place. While it is nice that the site audit is thorough enough to inform us that there are other versions of a given page, it can sometimes cause false positives to occur as a result.

So, are critical errors the only ones I need to fix?

A close up of a person typing on a laptop while smiling. Learn tips for improving SEO for online therapy and improving private practice SEO. Search for search engine optimization for counselors for support today. In short, it’s not that simple. As a general rule, yes it will be best to fix all critical errors that occur on your site audit. But, there are also some errors that may need to be addressed like broken resources. In the end, it is worth taking your personal situation into account so you can effectively use your time to address the issues that affect your site most.

Start Improving SEO for Psychologists with Simplified SEO Consulting

Our team is happy to offer support with growing your SEO and supporting your practice. An SEO specialist would be happy to provide support across the country. You can start your SEO journey with Simplified SEO Consulting by following these simple steps:

Apply to work with us to improve your SEO
Meet with an SEO specialist
Start improving your online presence and trust with Google!

Other Services Offered with Simplified SEO Consulting

Our team knows there are many aspects of SEO that you may need help addressing to improve your private practice website. This is why we offer a variety of SEO services including our Done For You SEO Services and DIY Online SEO Courses. We also offer a 12-week Done With You Intensive SEO Program. Visit our blog to learn more valuable SEO info today!

September 19, 2023/0 Comments/by Sterling Humburg-Cage

Analytics, Business Tips

Understanding Events in Google Analytics 4 (GA4): Their Importance and Creation

Google Analytics has been a trusted companion for website administrators and marketers for years. With the advent of Google Analytics 4 (GA4), there have been significant changes in how user interactions are tracked, with “Events” being at the core of this new paradigm. But what are events, why are they crucial, and how can you set them up in GA4? Let’s dive in.

What Are Events in GA4?

In the realm of digital analytics, “events” refer to user interactions with content that can be tracked independently from a webpage or a screen load. This might include actions like button clicks, form submissions, downloads, or any other user activity that you deem essential to track.

In previous versions of Google Analytics (Universal Analytics), events required a category, action, and label. However, GA4 simplifies and broadens this by considering every interaction as an event. Whether a user clicks a video play button or scrolls 90% down a page, each interaction is treated as an event in GA4.

Why Are Events Important?

Holistic User Interaction Understanding: With events, you can gauge not just where users are going on your site, but also what they’re doing. It offers a granular understanding of user behaviors and patterns.
Enhanced Conversion Tracking: By defining certain events as ‘conversions’, you can measure the actions that you value the most on your website, be it sign-ups, purchases, or any other significant interactions.
User Journey Mapping: Tracking events can help in understanding the user journey better. Knowing which buttons are clicked more often or which video is played the most can offer insights into optimizing user pathways.
Improved UX/UI Decisions: When you know which elements of your website users are interacting with the most and which ones they’re ignoring, it offers actionable data to improve the overall user experience.

Creating Events in GA4

Setting up events in GA4 is straightforward, thanks to its more user-friendly interface. Here’s a basic guide:

Automatically Tracked Events:

GA4, by default, tracks certain events without any additional configurations, such as page views, scrolls, video plays, etc. So, before setting up a new event, ensure it’s not already being tracked.

Creating Events Using the Web Interface:

a. Log into your GA4 property.
b. Navigate to the ‘Events’ section under ‘Reports’ in the left-hand menu.
c. Click on ‘Create Event’.
d. Here, you can name your event and set up the conditions for when this event should be tracked. For example, you might want to track when a specific button with the CSS class ‘sign-up’ is clicked.

Creating Events Using Google Tag Manager (GTM):

For more complex events or if you’re already using GTM, you can set up events within the GTM interface and send them to GA4.
a. Create a new tag of the type ‘GA4 Event’.
b. Set up the trigger conditions. This could be when a particular form is submitted or when a user clicks a specific element on your page.
c. Test your configuration using the GTM preview mode before publishing.

Enhanced Measurement:

This is a feature in GA4 where certain events are automatically tracked once toggled on, such as scroll tracking or outbound clicks.

Its Crucial to Plan Events Carefully

Remember, while GA4’s event-centric model offers more flexibility, it’s crucial to plan your events carefully. Maintain a consistent naming convention and document each event to keep track as you add more.

Events in Google Analytics 4 offer a comprehensive lens into user behaviors, enabling website administrators and marketers to optimize websites effectively. Whether you’re transitioning from Universal Analytics or starting fresh with GA4, understanding the importance of events and how to set them up will be central to your analytics success. As with any tool, the more refined your setup, the more actionable and beneficial the insights will be.

Best Practices for Managing Events in GA4

While we’ve delved into the ‘what’, ‘why’, and ‘how’ of events in GA4, mastering the art of event tracking also involves some best practices to ensure data accuracy and meaningful insights.

Prioritize Events:

Not all interactions need to be tracked. Prioritize events based on their relevance to your business goals. Tracking every minuscule action can clutter your reports and make analysis overwhelming.

Consistent Naming Conventions:

Consistency is key in event naming. An inconsistent naming structure can lead to confusion and difficulty in interpretation. For instance, use ‘signup_button_click’ and ‘download_button_click’ rather than mixing formats like ‘SignupClick’ and ‘btnDownload’.

Collaborate with Teams:

Ensure that everyone involved – be it your marketing team, developers, or UX designers – understand the events being tracked. Collaboration ensures that the data collected aligns with both business and user experience goals.

Regular Audits:

As your website evolves, some events might become redundant, or new important interactions may emerge. Conducting regular audits ensures that your event tracking remains relevant.

Use Event Parameters:

In GA4, you can add parameters to events, providing additional data about the user’s action. For instance, for a ‘video_play’ event, parameters might include ‘video_title’ or ‘play_duration’. These nuances offer deeper insights.

Debug and Test:

Before finalizing any event, use the debug mode in GA4 or the preview mode in Google Tag Manager to ensure your events are firing as intended. This step is crucial to avoid discrepancies in data.

Educate and Train:

The landscape of digital analytics is always evolving. Ensure that you and your team stay updated with GA4’s features, changes, and best practices. Consider official Google Analytics courses or trusted third-party training programs.

Leverage User Properties:

In conjunction with events, GA4 allows for user properties – attributes attached to users. While events track what actions users take, user properties can provide context, like user preferences or segmentation.

In Conclusion

Mastering events in Google Analytics 4 is not just about technical setup, but also about strategy and foresight. The more refined and thoughtful your approach, the clearer and more actionable your insights will become.

GA4’s event-centric model is powerful, providing businesses the flexibility and granularity needed in today’s complex digital landscape. By understanding, prioritizing, and continually refining your event tracking, you’ll be better equipped to make data-driven decisions that drive growth and enhance user experience.

Harness the power of your data and start focusing on building quality SEO for your website with our team at Simplified SEO Consulting!

Begin Improving Private Practice SEO with Simplified SEO Consulting

Are you ready to take your website analytics to the next level? As digital analytics undergoes a significant shift with GA4, understanding the concept of events becomes crucial. Track user actions, such as button clicks, form submissions, and downloads, to unlock holistic user interaction understanding and enhance conversion tracking. With a client-centered and user-friendly approach, setting up events in GA4 has never been easier. GA4’s event-centric model empowers you to illuminate the path to digital success. So, embrace the change, let our team at Simplified SEO Consulting optimize your website, and take the first step towards data-driven growth—unleash the power of Google Analytics 4 events now.

Apply to work with Simplified SEO Consulting
Meet with an SEO specialist
Begin SEO services for therapists

Other Services Offered with Simplified SEO Consulting

SEO is an ever-changing field. This is why we are happy to offer a number of services in support of your private practice. We are happy to offer support with our Done For You SEO Services and DIY Online SEO Courses. We also offer a 12-week Done With You Intensive SEO Program as well. Please visit our blog to read other informative posts today!

About the Author

Mary is one of the members of our dedicated and knowledgeable SEO Specialists here at Simplified SEO Consulting. She brings with her certification in Google Analytics (Google Analytics IQ Certification). And she also understands the importance of analytics and their application. She loves staying up to date on all things analytical in order to bring clients the most informed service possible.

July 22, 2023/0 Comments/by Mary Miller

SEO Basics, SEO Tips, SEO Tools

What is local SEO for doctors?

Local SEO plays a pivotal role in the digital presence of healthcare professionals. But what exactly is it? Local SEO is one element that can ensure your private medical practice appears in local searches.

What is Local SEO in Digital Marketing?

Local SEO is one piece of a larger digital marketing strategy. It’s one piece of the larger puzzle. Local SEO refers to anything that helps communicate to search engines exactly where your business is located or relevant. While digital marketing encompasses various strategies, local SEO focuses on signaling to search engines precisely where your practice is located and why it’s relevant to the local community.

Local SEO Strategy

So, what’s the game plan for an effective local SEO strategy? Think of it as a multifaceted approach that includes optimizing your website, perhaps including pictures of local places throughout your website, adding your address to the footer of your website, using a list management service, and enhancing your Google Business Profile. It’s all about sending the right signals to search engines and ensuring that your medical practice stands out in the local arena.

Local SEO Tools

Navigating local SEO doesn’t have to be a daunting task. There’s a wealth of powerful tools and resources available to simplify the process. From keyword research to citation management, these tools are your allies in fine-tuning your local SEO strategy and getting you noticed by those searching for healthcare services in your area. Google Business Profile is probably our team’s favorite Local SEO tool. There are also a lot of list management tools out there including one that Simplified SEO Consulting offers.

Is doing local SEO worth it?

You might wonder if putting effort into local SEO is worth it. Can you simply focus on local SEO and call it a day? The reality is that while local SEO is essential, it’s rarely enough on its own to catapult your rankings and attract a flood of new patients. It’s like having an enticing appetizer at a restaurant, but you’re still craving the main course.

In all honestly, time and time again my team has tested trying to only do local SEO for a client. Trust me, I wish I could just do local SEO for you and that was enough to get your website ranking and get you more calls. It’s very affordable, so if that was effective I’d have TONS of medical private practice clients and be a hero. So, I’d love to make a business out of only doing that if it worked. But the truth is that’s usually not enough.

However, when combined with other SEO and digital marketing strategies, local can be a very helpful component of a larger comprehensive approach. So, I almost always recommend that medical practices consider local SEO as part of their comprehensive approach to SEO.

How to Do Local SEO for Beginners

If you’re just beginning your journey into the world of local SEO, there’s a simple starting point: Google Business Profile. This tool is your key to claiming your online territory, especially if you have a physical office location. It’s a critical step for any medical practice website aiming to thrive in the digital realm. Additionally, consider enlisting list management services to ensure your practice’s information is consistent and accurate across the web.

What is the Role of an SEO Company in Local SEO for Doctors?

Now, where does an experienced medical SEO company fit into this scenario? They’re not just SEO experts; they’re your digital partners. These professionals will craft a comprehensive SEO strategy tailored specifically to your practice. This strategy combines local SEO with other techniques for maximum impact. They understand the intricacies of the medical industry, guiding you toward digital success. In the realm of local SEO for doctors, they’re the partners you need to ensure your practice shines on the digital map.

Ideally, a medical SEO company gives you advice about a comprehensive SEO strategy and helps you implement that local SEO strategy. They should understand your industry, understand the digital landscape, and give you solid suggestions about the next steps to expand your reach. Then, they should help you implement those steps. So, when it comes to local SEO for doctors, they might help you add local references to your website, help you optimize your Google Business Profile, or help you with list management services.

Local SEO for Functional Medicine Doctors, Psychiatrists, and other Medical Professionals

At Simplified SEO Consulting, we’re well-versed in the world of local SEO, as well as SEO for medical practices, and we’re thrilled to extend our expertise to functional medicine doctors, psychiatrists, and other medical professionals. We understand that each healthcare specialty comes with its unique challenges and patient demographics. That’s why our team is dedicated to tailoring our local SEO strategies to meet the specific needs of your practice.

Navigating local SEO can be a complex task, especially when your focus is on providing top-notch healthcare to your patients. That’s where we come in. Whether you’re just starting or looking to revamp your current SEO efforts, we offer a free Zoom consultation with one of our skilled medical SEO specialists you can schedule directly through our website. This consultation is an excellent opportunity for us to understand your unique goals and challenges, and for you to learn how our specialized SEO services can benefit your practice.

With our guidance and expertise in SEO for functional medicine doctors, psychiatrists, and other medical professionals, you can enhance your online presence, connect with potential patients, and grow your practice. Don’t navigate the complexities of local SEO alone—partner with Simplified SEO Consulting, and let’s achieve your digital marketing goals together.

June 15, 2023/0 Comments/by Jessica

SEO Basics, SEO Tips, SEO Tools

What is SEO in Healthcare?

In today’s digital era, the healthcare industry is experiencing a paradigm shift in how it reaches and engages with patients. A robust online presence has become essential for healthcare practitioners to connect with their patients effectively. While the primary focus of healthcare professionals remains on patient care, the importance of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) in the healthcare industry cannot be overstated. Let’s delve into the world of healthcare SEO and explore how it shapes the modern healthcare landscape.

Setting the Stage: The Power of Online Presence in Healthcare

The digital age has transformed the way patients seek healthcare information and services. The internet serves as a vast reservoir of medical knowledge, enabling patients to research symptoms, treatment options, and even healthcare providers. In this context, healthcare practitioners recognize that a strong online presence is crucial to meeting patient needs and expectations.

Importance of SEO Strategy for the Healthcare Industry

SEO is a game-changer in the healthcare industry. A good SEO strategy for the healthcare industry offers practitioners the ability to effectively connect with patients actively searching for healthcare solutions online. By optimizing their online content, healthcare providers can position themselves at the forefront of search engine results, ensuring that patients discover their services easily. This enhanced visibility translates into increased patient inquiries, appointments, and a broader reach within the community.

Defining SEO: What Does SEO Stand for in Marketing?

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the process of enhancing a website’s visibility on search engines like Google. It involves implementing strategies that help a website rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) when users search for relevant keywords. In the healthcare context, SEO empowers practitioners to make their services more accessible to individuals seeking medical information, treatments, or healthcare professionals.

Understanding SEO Fundamentals

At first, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the basics of SEO. However, it’s important to understand a few core concepts so you can make sense of the larger picture and maximize your website’s visibility online.

SEO Demystified: Techniques of Search Engine Optimization

At its core, SEO is about understanding how search engines work and tailoring your online content to align with their algorithms. It’s not about tricking search engines but rather providing valuable and relevant information to users.

How Does SEO Work?

SEO operates on the principle that search engines aim to deliver the most relevant and valuable content to users. In other words, search engines WANT to show your website to patients. Or at least, the patients who would most like to see your websites. In order to show your website to the right potential patients, algorithms consider various factors like keywords, content quality, user experience, and backlinks to determine which pages should rank higher in search results.

On-Page SEO vs. Off-Page SEO

On-page SEO focuses on optimizing elements within your website, such as content, keywords, and metadata. Off-page SEO involves strategies outside your website, like building quality backlinks and online reputation management.

The Role of Keywords: Building Blocks for SEO Strategy

Keywords are the foundation of SEO. These are the phrases users enter into search engines when looking for information. Incorporating relevant keywords into your content helps search engines understand what your page is about and who it’s intended for.

The Healthcare Landscape and SEO

Navigating Healthcare in the Digital Age

The digital transformation has redefined patient interactions, making it essential for healthcare providers to adapt and evolve in the online space. Patients now rely on the Internet to research healthcare information, providers, and services.

SEO’s Role in the Healthcare Industry

SEO plays a pivotal role in helping healthcare practices reach their target audience effectively. It ensures that when individuals search for healthcare-related terms, they find information from reputable sources that address their needs.

Building Trust through Online Visibility: How Is SEO Used in Healthcare?

SEO empowers healthcare providers to establish credibility and build trust by delivering valuable information that addresses patients’ questions and concerns. An optimized online presence enhances a practice’s reputation and fosters patient confidence.

From the small, one-person chiropractic office to the small group practice holistic medicine practice to the large medical center, SEO helps healthcare practitioners engage with their patients more effectively. By understanding how search engine algorithms work and implementing strategies to improve website visibility, practices can become an integral part of the online healthcare community.

What Are the Best Practices for Healthcare SEO?

Picture This: SEO Strategy for Healthcare Industry Example

Let’s explore a practical example to understand how healthcare SEO works in action. Imagine a chiropractor in a private practice aiming to attract local patients seeking natural pain relief solutions. By implementing a targeted SEO strategy, the chiropractor can enhance their online visibility and connect with individuals actively searching for chiropractic services in their area. They can build an effective digital marketing strategy that will consistently bring in new patients.

Mastering Healthcare SEO: Strategies that Deliver Results

Effective healthcare SEO involves a comprehensive strategy that includes optimizing both on-page and off-page elements. By aligning content, keywords, and user experience, practitioners can improve their chances of ranking higher in search results.

Crafting SEO-Friendly Content: What Makes Healthcare Content Stand Out?

Creating content that resonates with your target audience is key. Develop informative, engaging, and relevant content that addresses common healthcare questions, educates patients, and showcases your expertise.

Elevating User Experience: Website Optimization for Better Engagement

User experience is paramount in healthcare SEO. A well-structured, user-friendly website enhances navigation, loading speed, and mobile responsiveness, ensuring visitors have a positive experience.

Going Beyond Keywords: The Impact of Quality Backlinks

Backlinks, or links from other reputable websites to yours, boost your site’s authority and credibility. Quality backlinks indicate to search engines that your content is valuable and relevant.

On-Page Optimization: Tailoring Your Website for Search Engines

On-page optimization involves fine-tuning elements within your website to align with SEO best practices. This includes optimizing metadata, using descriptive alt text for images, creating engaging headings and subheadings, and maintaining a clear URL structure.

Honestly, we have often seen people underuse on-page optimization. They take a ton of time creating great content but it’s not really optimized. Yet, on-page optimization is really powerful for SEO.

Local SEO for Doctors and Healthcare Providers: Connecting with Your Community

Local SEO is vital for healthcare practitioners who rely on local patient bases. Optimizing your website for local search terms, creating a Google My Business profile, and making sure you have consistent NAP information (the same exact name, address, and phone number listed everywhere across the web) on a variety of directories all contribute to enhancing your local online visibility.

Mobile-First Approach: SEO Adaptations for Healthcare on the Go

In today’s mobile-centric world, optimizing your website for mobile devices is crucial. A responsive design ensures that your website is easily accessible and user-friendly across various devices, improving both user experience and SEO rankings.

Case Study: Implementing a Successful SEO Strategy for a Healthcare Practice

Let’s delve into a real-life scenario to illustrate the impact of an effective SEO strategy. Consider a functional medicine doctor in private practice who specializes in holistic health solutions. By implementing an SEO strategy tailored to their expertise, they can attract individuals seeking alternative health options and address their specific needs.

Through an SEO audit, the doctor can identify which elements of their website need to be optimized for better search engine visibility. A comprehensive analysis of on-page and off-page elements will enable them to improve their content and focus on strategies that will drive organic traffic. As part of the strategy, they can create informative blog posts to answer common questions related to functional medicine and optimize backlinks to enhance their website’s authority.

Achieving Healthcare SEO Success

You want to reach more patients needing your services. SEO is the key to unlocking your online visibility. By understanding and implementing effective healthcare SEO strategies, you can create a powerful online presence that resonates with potential patients. From optimizing website content to leveraging local citations and embracing mobile technologies, there are numerous ways to increase your practice’s digital footprint.

Overcoming Common SEO Mistakes: Learning from Bad SEO Examples

Learning from the mistakes of others is an effective way to refine your SEO strategy. Avoid common pitfalls like keyword stuffing, low-quality content, and unethical practices that can lead to poor SEO outcomes.

The Future of Healthcare SEO: Emerging Trends and Strategies

The world of SEO is ever-evolving, and the healthcare industry is no exception. Stay abreast of emerging trends such as voice search optimization, user experience enhancements, and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of healthcare SEO.

Empowering Your Healthcare Practice: Harnessing the Potential of SEO

While healthcare practitioners may initially shy away from the world of marketing, the reality is that SEO is a powerful tool for reaching those in need of medical services. By embracing SEO strategies tailored to the healthcare industry, practitioners can effectively connect with patients, establish credibility, and enhance their online presence. In a digital age where patients turn to the internet for healthcare information, SEO becomes an essential partner in ensuring that valuable medical insights and services are readily available to those who seek them.

Your Next Step: Embrace SEO to Thrive in the Digital Healthcare Landscape

As you embark on your journey to leverage the potential of SEO in healthcare, remember that Simplified SEO Consulting is here to guide you. We were founded by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who owns her own private psychotherapy practice and understands the value of effective digital marketing to reach more people needing your skills. Since then, we’ve expanded to help a wider range of helping professionals including SEO for functional medicine doctors, private practice physicians, chiropractors, speech-language pathologists, and others. Our team of experts specialize in providing value-driven and simplified SEO solutions tailored to the unique needs of healthcare professionals.

Ready to amplify your online presence and reach a broader audience? Schedule a free Zoom consultation with one of our health SEO specialists and take the first step towards achieving SEO success in the dynamic healthcare industry.

May 1, 2023/0 Comments/by Jessica

Local SEO, SEO Tips, SEO Tools

Your Local Area Heatmap Rankings Are Dropping! Here’s What You Can Do To Counteract It

Maintaining your rankings in Google can take time to achieve lasting success and involve a number of different strategies.

A graphic of a local map with the pin “you are here”. Learn how to rank on Google for therapists and the support a heatmap can offer for private practice SEO today. SEO for private practices can offer support. The same can also be said for supporting your rankings on a more localized level. It’s important to ensure you show up for folks outside of the normal service area that may not find you without the help of Google. But, it is equally important to ensure that the people in your surrounding community can also find your private practice. When you see that your heatmap rankings are dropping, this means your target keywords are dropping in those areas on Google Maps. While this is discouraging, there are a number of things you can do to counteract your target keywords dropping in on your heatmap. So, today we are going to discuss some of the best ways you can bounce back when you experience a dip in your Google Map rankings.

With these tips, I should preface this is assuming that you’ve already optimized your Google Business Profile with all necessary information including NAP info, photos of your practice and team, images representing your practice, etc. Ensuring your GBP is up to date is always a good first step when you experience a change in your data.

Also, we won’t reference reviews in this blog

This is due to the unique nature of therapy and the relationship between counselor and client. While getting reviews and engaging with them is always great for the health of your Google Business Profile, receiving ethically sourced reviews is most important. Without further ado, let’s get into tips to counteract dropping heatmap rankings.

Create Localized Media

While it can take some time to respond to dropping keywords, one of the best ways to sustain your heatmap rankings is by creating new media that are hyper-focused on specific areas around your practice. When you see that keywords are dropping for a particular location, creating content that is centered around the areas in which data is dropping is a great way to incorporate your target keywords while telling Google where you want to focus on ranking on Google Maps.

Creating blog posts and other types of content can help you highlight local events, landmarks, and neighboring businesses. These may include videos, social media posts, or Google Business Profile posts, and can allow you to naturally work specific locations into your blogs. For example, a clinician focusing on couples therapy may see their rankings dropping on Google Maps for couples therapy-related keywords on the south side of the town. If so, they may decide to create a post that highlights parks in the area for date ideas. By doing so, the clinician provides information for google describing the keywords they want to rank for (couples therapy), and the location they want to sustain their rankings (south part of town).

You can also make existing blogs more personal!

In addition to creating new localized blogs, you can also optimize existing content on the site as well! Doing so can help you include more location indicators in blog/page titles, headings, subheadings, and content throughout your site. However, it is important to keep in mind how often you are including location info and keywords. Sprinkling indicators where it feels natural are important to remember so you avoid content from sounding artificial or out of place.

Building Local Links

Another way you can help to counteract heatmap is by working on creating more links to the websites of local businesses or publications in your area. Getting featured in a blog post from another site can also be a great way to support local SEO for private practices. One way you can accomplish this is by reaching out to another local business to see if they would be open to putting links to each other’s sites. This can provide both businesses with a new backlink and can be a win-win in many cases.

Check Out the Competition

An additional tactic you may use is looking at your competitors for ideas on what you may need to change to support your private practice SEO on a local level. This may come in the form of checking out what blog topics are on their site. You can gain new ideas for posts, get a sense of other topics you may not have previously thought of, and learn of adjustments you may need to make for your own local SEO strategy.

Consider Your Social Media Presence and Keywords

It won’t make sense for every clinician to have a social media presence for their practice. But, for practices that have a more external presence, easier it is to connect and provide regular updates to those around you. This can also help you become more recognizable to those around you as well.

In addition, it is also worth taking the time to take an inventory of the keywords you are focusing on locally. Some may be hot ticket keywords that everyone wants to rank for like “counseling near me”, and will take a considerable amount of time and effort to rank for. But, others you are focusing on may not be as relevant to the services you want to rank for on a local level. For example, you probably wouldn’t want to show up for something like “online therapy near me” if you only offer in-person services. You likely wouldn’t want to rank for such a keyword due to the nature of online therapy occurring from remote areas, or locations outside your local scope.

Begin Improving Local SEO for Private Practices with Simplified SEO Consulting

Our team of caring therapists would be happy to support you in maintaining and sustaining both your Google Search results and Google Maps rankings. We offer a variety of services to support you and help grow your practice on a local level. You can start working with us by following these steps:

Apply to work with Simplified SEO Consulting
Meet with an SEO specialist.
Start improving your local heatmap rankings!

Other Services Offered With Simplified SEO Consulting

Our team at Simplified SEO Consulting is happy to offer support in a number of ways. We can offer support in improving local SEO for therapists as well as DIY Online SEO Courses. We also offer Done For You SEO services, and a Done With You 12-week Intensive SEO program as well. Feel free to visit our blog to learn more today!

About the Author

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 with 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!

April 18, 2023/0 Comments/by Sterling Humburg-Cage