When someone searches for “pediatrician near me” or “dermatologist in Las Vegas,” Google usually shows a map with a few nearby practices before the regular results. Those few spots get a large share of the calls and appointment requests. Local SEO is the work that helps your practice earn one of them.
Here is the checklist we use when we diagnose a practice’s local presence.
1. Claim and complete your Google Business Profile
Your Business Profile is often the first thing a patient sees, even before your website. Make it complete and accurate:
- Choose the most specific primary category, such as “Pediatrician” or “Dermatologist,” rather than a generic one.
- Add your services, hours (including holiday hours), phone number and a link to book an appointment.
- Upload real photos of your entrance, waiting room and team. Patients want to know what to expect.
- Answer the questions people post on your profile, and keep the information current when anything changes.
2. Keep your name, address and phone identical everywhere
Your practice appears in many places: your website, Google, Healthgrades, Zocdoc, Yelp, insurance directories and hospital affiliation pages. If the name, address or phone number differs between them, both Google and patients get confused. Pick one exact format and use it everywhere.
3. Give every service and location its own page
A single “Services” page rarely ranks for anything. Create a page for each main procedure or condition you treat, written in plain language and reviewed by a physician, and a page for each location with the address, map, parking information, hours and accepted insurance. These pages answer the exact questions patients search for.
4. Earn reviews steadily and respond to them
Reviews influence both how patients choose and how Google ranks local results. Ask every patient, at the same point in their visit, with a direct link to leave a review. Never offer rewards in exchange for positive reviews, and reply to reviews without confirming that the reviewer is your patient. We cover this in detail in our article on patient reviews and compliance.
5. Make your website fast and easy to use on a phone
Most local searches happen on phones. Make sure your phone number is tappable, the booking button is visible without scrolling, and pages load quickly. A slow or confusing mobile site sends patients back to the search results and to the next practice on the list.
6. Add structured data
Structured data is code that tells search engines exactly what your pages describe. Schema.org types such as MedicalClinic, Physician or Dentist let you label your name, address, hours and phone number in a format Google understands.
7. Measure what matters
Traffic alone doesn’t pay the bills. Track the actions that lead to appointments: calls, direction requests and booking clicks from your Business Profile, and form submissions from your website. Review them monthly and adjust.
Related service: SEO for medical practices
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