Google’s commitment to providing the best user experience brought about an environment that connects consumers with products and services they need now. In this commercially driven aspect of the search engine experience, businesses reap Google Business Profile benefits such as being prominently displayed in local search results, establishing legitimacy with the public, connecting with patients in an interactive way, and gathering valuable data insights. This article shares how important Google My Business (now renamed to Google Business Profiles, or GBP) is for any healthcare business serving a local area by highlighting its six core benefits.
1.) Increased Visibility to Patients: It Boosts Local SEO
Businesses that appear first in search results are not there by luck. Search engine optimization (SEO) is a strategy with the goal of being ranked at the top so the maximum number of consumers will see your business. For healthcare businesses serving patients in a specific geographic territory, local SEO works to connect you with patients in your area.
Placement in the “local pack” is one of the most potent Google Business Profiles SEO benefits. Google is always “listening” for user search intent and will generate Google Business Profile directory listings in search results when queries imply a need for local services. Google displays the “best” businesses–determined by algorithms–in the three initial business listings area of its search results. Users can expand the list to see all businesses serving the area, but those who earn a top three ranking can see up to a 700% boost in “clicks.”
2.) It Builds Trust and Credibility with Your Target Audience
One of the key advantages of Google Business Profiles is how consumers can confirm that a business is real and currently operating, effectively validating your medical practice. This helps you establish that initial trust and credibility with the public.
One feature of Google Business Profiles benefits your medical practice’s online reputation by attaching ratings and reviews to your business listing. At first glance, potential patients can see your cumulative star rating and a featured review. When your profile has a higher star rating and more reviews than your local competitors, this makes your medical practice more appealing to patients.
3.) It Can Foster Patient Engagement and Streamline Interactions
One of the top advantages of Google Business Profiles and Google Maps is an interactive user interface that encourages consumer engagement. Potential patients can click around your profile and become acquainted with your practice with links that connect them by phone call or direct them to your website.
To gain the benefit of Google Business Profile engagement, your business listing must be optimized. Setting up a GBP that encourages interaction includes complete contact information, a link to your website, gallery of high-quality photos, and any other information that is helpful for the patient journey.
4.) GBP Insights Help Both SEO and Practice Efforts
Google Business Profiles benefit healthcare businesses with a platform that provides valuable performance data insights that can better inform overall digital marketing strategy. GBP stats on demographics, search terms, and interaction activity help you better understand patients in your target market. You also can include click-throughs, website visits, and phone calls generated from GBP as part of your digital marketing performance metrics.
5.) It’s Very Cost Effective (Free to Use)
Most forms of digital marketing have a price tag, but among the Google Business Profile advantages is that access to this powerful local SEO tool is free. When it comes to Google’s business directory and maps feature of search engine results, there is a “level playing field” for businesses to be included and compete for “local pack” rankings. To set up and maintain a profile cost nothing more than your time;, however, many businesses will hand over the reins to their digital marketing services provider.
6.) Managing Your Profile Is Streamlined and Simple
Again, Google is committed to providing the best user experience, and digital marketers are indeed part of its user base. Tools like Google Ads and GBP provide a user interface that is simple in design, seamless in navigation, and whenever things are unclear how-to resources provide clear step-by-step directions on how to set up or update your listings.
The ability to make updates quickly is yet another Google Business Profiles benefit. Whether it’s a permanent change like changing a phone number or a temporary change like holiday hours, the GPB platform offers flexibility to make hassle-free adjustments to your public-facing business listing.
Summary: 6 Google Business Profiles Benefits for Your Medical Practice Digital Marketing
When it comes to being found in search results by patients in your area, Google Business Profile importance is undeniable. When users enter search terms, Google is always listening for search intent, and when it is detected that a user is seeking local services, this activates the Google Business Profiles (formerly known as Google My Business) and Google Maps search results enhancements. This makes it easier for consumers to locate the products and services they need. Key benefits of Google Business Profiles are:
- Fuels local search engine optimization (SEO): Because Google Maps and Google directory listings frequently appear in searches with local user intent, this increases SEO power for your medical practice.
- Verification that signals credibility: Being listed in Google’s search engine business directory confirms that your medical practice is real and currently operating. Ratings and reviews attached to your profile have the potential to enhance your online reputation.
- Engagement with prospective patients: With an interactive interface, Google Business Profiles and Google Maps are designed to encourage “clicks” to learn more about your medical practice, visit your website, contact your office, and more.
- Provides consumer behavior insights: One of the business-side features of Google Business Profiles is access to data that provides insights that better inform your overall digital marketing strategy and help you better understand your target market.
- Free and easy to use: Free marketing tools are few and far between, but Google Business Profiles are free to set up and manage. The platform also follows Google’s user-friendly doctrine with an intuitive interface and easy-to-understand tutorial pages.
By optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) and building up your ratings and reviews, you are on track to secure a spot in the “local pack” that features the top three businesses in your respective healthcare category. Businesses that secure a slot in the top three directory listings will be the most visible and can see an increase in “clicks” of up to 700%. Simply put, GBP is an indispensable tool to compete in your local healthcare market.
Boost Patient Reach with Expert Google Business Profile Management Services
To gain a competitive edge by maximizing your chances of discoverability by local patients in Google searches, you need a robust local search engine optimization (SEO) strategy with a component that focuses on Google Business Profiles. In addition to website optimization expertise, our Google Business Profiles pros will tend to your listings and online reputation management to build up your ratings and reviews. Contact us to learn more about how you can work your way up to the top positions in local Google search results.
