Google Business Profiles (formerly known as “Google My Business) is a powerful digital tool that puts local businesses on the map – the digital map, that is. The patient journey is convenience driven, causing countless healthcare consumers to go to their laptops and mobile devices first when seeking services. This means that when your medical practice is not found in the Google search directory, it’s as if it doesn’t exist.
Healthcare businesses need a Google Business Profile that can be easily found by patients searching online, but like any other kind of digital marketing, it can be unclear where to start. This article will show you the best way to set up a Google Business Profile.
Introduction to the Google Business Profile
Google Business Profiles is a free, yet indispensable platform that offers enhanced online visibility, empowering patients to find, engage with, and become familiar with the best care options in their area. It facilitates real-time updates to business information and helps build trust and credibility through customer reviews and interactions.
Step 1: Setting Up a Google Business Profile
Before you set up a Google Business Profile, find out if profiles for your medical practice already exist. One or more profiles could have been auto generated or created by a previous owner. In that case, you would claim the profile. If no existing profiles exist, you then create a new profile by logging into the platform using a Google account and fill in your practice’s details, including its name, type, and location. Accuracy of details are important such as selecting the correct business type and specifying either a physical location or a service area to optimize listing and visibility.
Verification Process
Understanding how to “claim my business” on Google begins with verifying ownership. Whether you are claiming an existing profile or creating a new one, the verification process must be completed. Verification is typically done through phone or by responding to a postcard sent to your physical location. This ensures that control of the profile is only given to the rightful owner.
Step 2: Fully Setting Up Your Profile
To support the best patient experience, your medical practice profile will need an accurate address, contact phone number, category, and website address. To fully optimize your local search visibility, follow these best practices to set up a Google Business Profile:
- Add a full description of your medical practice: Providing patients with complete information helps them know if your establishment is the right place for them.
- Use a phone number that matches your website: If your practice name, address, and phone number do not match online directories exactly, this can confuse Google’s algorithms and hurt your overall online visibility.
- Add photos: Visual interest not only helps your listing stand out, but it also gives your patient a “virtual tour” of your facility, so patients ease into the idea of going there for services.
Step 3: Managing Your Profile
Part of knowing how to list your business on Google Maps is how to access your profile to update key information. This Google Business Profile tool offers a convenient way to update information, post updates, and promptly respond to reviews. Regular updates, especially for special events or holidays, provide patients with current and accurate information. Your administration can make updates as needed in a few easy steps.
Step 4: Getting Acquainted with Insights and Analytics
Setting up your Google Business Profile also gives you access to valuable insights under the ‘performance’ tab, offering data on how patients find and interact with your profile. Checking in on your profile performance helps healthcare professionals tailor their local marketing strategies to better connect with their target audience, ultimately driving more patient engagement and appointments.
Summary: Step-By-Step Guide to Set Up Google Business Listings for Medical Practices
Set up for a Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) begins by checking for existing profiles. When one or more profiles are found, you will need to claim it through verification. If no profile currently exists, you then create a Google Business Profile from scratch.
Some medical practices will have multiple locations and providers. It is best that you claim your business on Google for any listings that are associated with your healthcare business. To maximize your online visibility, it is recommended to add listings for each location and provider name. Simply repeat the steps below using accurate contact details for each location and provider. But keep in mind that for critical updates, all listings will need to be changed accordingly.
By following these steps, you will have set a strong foundation for your practice’s online presence:
- Add your medical practice’s details including: the name of your medical practice, phone number, address, website domain address, and email address.
- Designate your business type. Select the best match for your medical facility being as specific as possible.
- Provide accurate contact information for the verification process. This will usually involve providing a phone number and mailing address.
- Follow Google’s verification process, which may include receiving a code via mail or email. Respond to correspondence promptly.
- Bring your profile to life. Highlight your practice’s unique features, upload high-quality photos, set your operating hours, and add a brief yet detailed description of your medical practice.
- Engage with your patients. Encourage them to leave a review and be sure to publicly reply to their questions and feedback in order to nurture trust and credibility.
- Announce any changes promptly. If you have new working hours or any changes in services, updating your Google Business listing can avoid confusion for patients.
- If your medical practice operates in multiple locations, create separate listings for each location following the same steps.
Your Go-To Resource for Google My Business Set Up and Optimization is iHealthSpot
Setting up a profile and managing it can be tedious, especially when your medical practice has several listings due to different locations and multiple providers. iHealthSpot’s team of healthcare online visibility experts specialize in localized search engine marketing (SEM) strategies. Our solutions are designed to put your practice in front of patients in their online searches as often as possible. Reach out today to learn more about increasing your digital outreach to patients in your territory.
