Once you type a keyword or phrase into that magic box beneath your search engine logo and click Enter, the whole world holds its breath, or so it seems. The possibilities are just endless. And in a few short milliseconds, there it is: the number-one best answer to your question of all time, ever.
But…how DOES Google do it? Better yet, how can YOU?
The search engine race is on. It’s continuous, always moving, and bringing up the business that had maybe just a slight edge over the one next in line. We’re here to show you the secret to winning the coveted first place spot in that search results list.
How can your business appear first in Google’s search results?
If you have any online presence, you’re already on your way to selling your medical service to the next person who searches for it, but you’re not there just yet.
Search Engine Optimization – SEO
You must have the right words and phrases in your content. It’s almost as if you need to be a target audience mind reader. Luckily, a good website with well-written and informative content is the key to getting the best-untreated response from search engine algorithms. This is called search engine optimization or SEO.
Organic marketing using SEO is achieved via strong text on your website or social media page. Keywords that users will likely type into their search engines when looking for your specific practice’s services must live in your website copy and strong internal links. And you’ll want your content to reflect your company’s authority in its field of healthcare. Not just once, but continuously. Your content must be targeted, engaging, and fresh. Press repeat.
That’s not easy. More than likely there are many others out there vying for your spot. What can you do? Welcome your marketing team, the makers of…
Search Engine Marketing – SEM
You need search engine marketing to really get the visibility you want online. SEM is basically paid search advertising that allows you to specifically target the audience you want using pay-per-click or PPC ads, sometimes also known as cost-per-click or CPC ads. You can select very specific keywords or phrases that will prompt your ads to appear based on the dollar amount you choose to bid per click. So the more you pay, the better your chances.
But that’s not all.
Great Ads
Your ads need to be well written and include specific keyword copy to encourage users to click on them. Careful keyword research can help determine your specific patient group’s needs and interests. Words with the highest search volumes as well as phrases that imply an intent to schedule an appointment will result in the most for your money.
Superb Landing Page
And your landing page from which your ad leads will be just as important as the ad itself, building trust with potential patients. A simple but soothing informative page that is on-brand with your practice is best.
SEM allows for increased visibility but also targeted brand exposure, and it’s fast and easy. Best of all, SEM is a measurable way to advertise so that your marketing team can help you determine quickly if your campaign is effective via analytics. Remember to keep all online content fresh and pertinent to potential patients. CrowdSouth can assist you with all SEM components, as well as your SEO content. Call us today to learn more.
By Jason Heflin
Jason Heflin is one of CrowdSouth’s owning Partners and brings years of marketing experience from his past lives as a corporate marketing manager, writer, and freelancer. He also plays the ukulele for fun, which is cool.