Having an understanding of what your patients are searching for is essential to optimize your website for Google search. Here at Functional Medicine SEO, we do keyword research to learn what our clients’ potential patients are searching for. Not only is keyword research important, but having a basic understanding of how search works, helps us to hone in on the right keywords even more.
Here are some of the ways your patients and potential patients are using Google to search for the services you offer.
1. Google Auto-Fill Feature
If you have ever used Google, you are fully aware of the auto-fill feature. When you search for something, Google will attempt to complete your search for you based on what other Google users are searching for. Searchers often rely on Google’s auto-fill feature to help them with their searches. These suggestions are used 23% of the time by searchers.
This means we have to consider the auto-fill suggestions when choosing keywords and LSI keywords. If they are relevant phrases to the content we’ve written, we find ways to weave them in.
2. First Page Rankings
You probably don’t need us to tell you that the higher your website ranks the better the chances you’ll get visitors. 50% of Google users click on a website within nine seconds of searching for whatever it is they’re looking for. Only 44% of searchers go to the second page of Google’s search results. However, it’s important to understand that your site can rank for many different keywords. The more first page rankings you have, the better.
3. The Power of Meta Descriptions
Believe it or not, only 17% of users bounced back to the search results after clicking on a website. This means you want to be the website search engine users click on. Writing custom meta descriptions that entice the reader to click over to your site is essential. Also, the content on your page should be full of value. Otherwise, the user will click away quickly and increase your bounce rate. This can cause that page to drop in the search results, because Google can see it as a page that didn’t meet the users’ expectations.
4. Optimizing Google Maps is Essential
For Google users looking for a local service, like those looking for a local functional medicine practice – they may click on results inside the Google Maps Pack. In fact, 42% of the time they click on these assets when searching inside of Maps. The way we optimize Maps is through Google My Business. If you don’t already have a Google My Business listing, you should set one up right away.
If you do have a listing, make sure the profile is completely filled out and up to date. Google is always updating the information you can display on that listing. Not only that, they may make suggested changes based on user reviews. It’s important for you to review those changes and make sure that they are accurate.
Contact us Today For SEO Services
It can be next to impossible to focus on building a practice while also fully optimizing your website for search engines. As quickly as everything changes, it’s hard to keep up. That’s why the experts at Functional Medicine SEO are here to help. We work with functional medicine practitioners across the U.S. to increase their leads. Contact us today and we’ll set you up with a free strategy session to review your site and give you actionable tips to reach potential patients.
