Did you know that Google receives one billion health-related searches every day? That’s 700,000 searches per minute! Due to these staggering numbers, it’s more important than ever for a healthcare provider/professional to utilise SEO.
This article discusses the significance of search engine optimisation for healthcare organisations, exploring how it not only enhances visibility but also aids in building trust and credibility among potential patients.
As the healthcare landscape becomes increasingly competitive, SEO stands out as a vital tool for reaching out to those needing medical services, information and support.
Through insights and examples, we will explore the multifaceted benefits of SEO for healthcare, including improved website traffic, higher search engine rankings and a more informed and healthier population.
What Is Healthcare SEO And How Is It Different?
Healthcare SEO is the practice of using strategies to optimise a healthcare facility’s online presence to build brand awareness and increase visits from search engine users.
An effective SEO strategy involves optimising both on-page and off-page elements. By aligning content, keywords and user experience, healthcare practitioners can improve their chances of ranking higher in search results.
When a medical search marketing strategy is effective, it will attract consistent and relevant leads. So, how is it different from regular SEO, and does SEO matter for healthcare providers?
The main difference between healthcare SEO and regular SEO is the unique sensitivities, regulations, and audience needs inherent in the healthcare industry. The content must adhere to strict ethical standards and accuracy guidelines, as misinformation can have severe consequences.
Unlike other sectors where SEO strategies might heavily focus on keywords and backlinking, healthcare SEO requires a delicate balance of authoritative content, patient privacy considerations and compliance with healthcare laws.
Also, the intent behind healthcare searches is often more urgent or serious, necessitating the need for content that is not only optimised for search engines but also empathetic and informative for individuals seeking medical advice or services.
Why Is SEO Important For The Healthcare and Medical Industry?
Do you instantly Google your symptoms when you think you have a cold or the flu? With more and more people using the internet these days to look up different medical conditions or to look for a healthcare provider, it’s never been more important to implement medical SEO. If you’re a healthcare provider and don’t have an SEO strategy, you’re missing out on opportunities to get patients searching for your services onto your website.
Having an SEO strategy isn’t enough, though. You need an effective SEO strategy that lands you at the top of the search results, as the first five organic listings get around 68% of all the clicks. Let’s dive into some of the reasons why SEO is important for the healthcare and medical industry:
Expands your visibility online
One of the most common reasons SEO is important for the healthcare and medical industry is that it increases your visibility to users online. SEO strategies are designed to leverage content, website usability improvements and other onsite and offsite tools to improve your visibility in search engines.
If you have a fast website that has informative content that users are actively searching for, you have a higher chance of ranking on search engine results pages, therefore increasing your visibility online.
Improves patient engagement
SEO can help tailor your content to meet the specific needs and concerns of your audience. Through informative blog posts, FAQs, and service pages, healthcare providers can engage potential patients by offering valuable information and support.
Higher credibility and trust
Websites that rank higher in search results are often perceived as more credible and authoritative. As a healthcare provider, appearing at the top of search results can reinforce your expertise and reputation in the industry, making patients more likely to choose your services.
Tips For Effective SEO For The Healthcare and Medical Industry
Are you in the healthcare and medical industry and are looking to create an effective SEO strategy but don’t know where to start? These tips will steer you in the right direction.
Improve your website speed
Have you ever exited a webpage because it took too long to load? You’re not alone! 47% of people expect a webpage to load in two seconds or less, and if it doesn’t, they instantly click out of the page.
This is extremely important in SEO because having a slow website speed means a higher bounce rate and lower conversion rates.
The easiest way to test your website speed is to use the Google PageSpeeds Insights tool. The results tell you how fast your website loads and provide you with suggestions on how to improve it.
Produce high-quality, accurate medical content
Given the critical importance of healthcare information, ensure all content on your website is accurate, up-to-date and reviewed by medical professionals. High-quality medical content isn’t just vital for providing valuable information for your users, but it’s also the key to ranking high in search engines.
Ensure your website is easy to crawl
A well-structured and easy-to-read website helps search engines index your content more effectively and enhances user experience. Make sure your content is organised in a logical manner, use clear headings and ensure your navigation is intuitive.
Make your website mobile-friendly
Did you know that 52% of smartphone users head to search engines to look for health or medical information? Considering that number, it’s important that your website is mobile-friendly. Ensure your site is responsive, loads quickly on mobile devices, and provides a user-friendly experience.
Use relevant healthcare keywords
Effective medical search marketing starts with using relevant keywords. Conduct thorough keyword research to understand the terms and phrases potential patients use when searching for healthcare services. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your website’s content, meta tags and URLs to improve search rankings and visibility.
Optimise for local search
Many patients look for healthcare providers within their suburbs or nearby suburbs. Therefore, using Google My Business and other local SEO efforts for a healthcare site is critical, as they help build a reputation in the area. Claim your Google My Business listing, include local keywords in your content (e.g. “family doctor in Brisbane”), and build local backlinks to improve the visibility of your website in local search results.
Effective Healthcare SEO Strategies With Anchor
With one billion health-related searches every single day, it’s more important than ever to implement SEO on your health or medical website. SEO has many benefits, including increasing your online visibility, attracting new patients and increasing your conversion rates.
Do you have a website that focuses on health or medical content and want to create an effective SEO strategy but don’t know where to start? Look no further than Anchor. With experience working with clients in the medical field, our team of SEO experts has the knowledge and tools to create a healthcare SEO strategy that works.
Want to learn more about how we can improve your online presence? Drop us a line today.
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