Search engine optimization is an essential part of every functional medicine website. As SEO strategies and techniques change, staying current with best practices will help ensure you have a successful practice. Several key strategies can help boost your online ranking and common mistakes you should avoid to reach your audience. Here are five SEO mistakes to avoid.
1. Skipping Keyword Research
Keyword research is a primary strategy for any website. Researching top keywords and phrases that your target audience needs will help you optimize your content. However, many people skip this step because they may not know the value it brings to online visibility.
You can avoid this common mistake by thoroughly researching relevant topics and keywords that bring the most traffic to your website. Use words and phrases that specifically relate to your services. Keyword research tools can help you choose the best words to target within your content.
2. Using Too Many Keywords
While keyword optimization is essential for your content, there is such a thing as using too many of them. Keywords stuffing can reduce your online rankings and authority in your field. It can also make your content appear unprofessional.
Focus on high-quality content rather than fluffing your content with keywords. Choose 1-2 keywords and phrases for each topic and build your content around them. You can use keywords in your headers, titles, and meta descriptions and as a natural part of your content.
3. Neglecting Website Health
Have you ever visited a slow-loading website or a website that is difficult to navigate? A user-friendly experience is essential for your audience to stay on your website and make future visits. A poor user experience, such as broken links or irrelevant content, can deter readers from your website.
Scheduling frequent website health checks can help you avoid this common issue. Google Search Console has free tools to check your website’s health. Making your functional medicine content, branding, and design can improve your website’s visual appeal and encourage readers to return.
4. Not Investing In Local SEO
Functional medicine practices should invest in local SEO to better serve patients in their area. Neglecting this step can prevent you from higher online rankings and help more patients with their health needs.
You can optimize your website by creating a Google My Business profile for your practice. You can list your practice name, address, phone number, and more here. It’s helpful to include specific locations and register with other local directories.
5. Ignoring Analytics
Monitoring your website analytics can help you identify areas to improve your website. Scheduling regular checks can help you measure your SEO efforts, track website traffic and conversions, and boost your online rankings. Google Analytics is a free tool that measures all these areas to improve your visibility.
Contact Us For A Free Strategy Session
The Functional Medicine SEO team specializes in strategies that increase online visibility so you can reach more patients for your practice. Contact us for a free strategy session and ask how our services can benefit your practice.
