Your Dental SEO Checklist Made Easy

With over 135,000 dental practices in the U.S., dental practice owners need to pull out all the stops to make sure that patients can find them. And yes, having great signage on the outside of your building and participating in community events is important. But today we’re talking about making sure patients can find your practice online. 

If your practice doesn’t show up high in Google rankings when patients are looking for dental services, then the chances are that they will visit a practice that does. In this article, we’ll share our SEO checklist to make sure you tick all the boxes and work toward showing up on that first page of search results.

SEO stands for search engine optimization, which is about taking steps to make sure your dental website and content show up where people are looking. And yes, while publishing helpful content is a great place to start, if that content isn’t optimized for search, then you aren’t going to get very far. From mobile optimization to a great user experience and amazing content, it all matters. Read on for what you need to do to show up where you want to be in those Google rankings.

1. Optimize for mobile.

With more people than ever browsing the web on their smartphones—over 60% of web traffic today comes from mobile devices, after all—having a website that looks and functions well on those devices creates a much better user experience.

Begin by checking how your site appears on different devices. Review font size, image display, and button spacing for ease of use. Consider mobile-friendly design practices, such as responsive layouts that automatically adjust to screen size. If potential patients find your site hard to use on their phones, they’re more likely to leave quickly, which can impact your rankings. Additionally, Google prioritizes mobile-friendly sites, so adapting to mobile can give you a noticeable lift in search results.

2. Use dental-related keywords.

Choosing the right keywords makes all the difference in helping your site reach the right audience. Start with a list of services your practice provides and any specialties that set you apart. For example, include terms like “cosmetic dentistry,” “dental implants,” and “teeth cleaning” in titles, meta descriptions, and page content when applicable. 

Make these keywords sound natural in context to avoid keyword stuffing. Long-tail keywords, like “family dentist in [City]” or “best pediatric dentist near me,” are also great for targeting local searches. Using well-researched keywords helps Google understand what your site is about and match it to relevant searches.

3. Improve page load speed.

A fast-loading website—one that loads in 2 seconds or less—can keep visitors on your page longer, helping you rank higher in search results. Large image files and excessive plugins can slow down your site. Compress images without compromising quality and look into lazy loading, which only loads images as users scroll down the page. 

Review your site’s code for any excess scripts that might be dragging down load times. Using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can help identify areas for improvement. Faster page speed makes for a smoother user experience and increases the likelihood that visitors will stay on your site.

4. Create high-quality, informative content.

Content is an absolute must in establishing your practice as a trusted source in the dental industry. Answer questions patients often ask, such as “How do I know if I need a filling?” or “What are the benefits of dental implants?” 

By addressing real concerns, you will build authority and trust—both of which Google looks for when ranking content—with potential patients. Add a blog to your site and update it regularly with articles that address different aspects of dental health. Videos and infographics can also help explain more complex topics and attract more views.

5. Focus on local SEO.

Local SEO helps connect you with patients in your area. Start by adding your practice’s location in key places, such as page titles, meta descriptions, and headings. Claiming your Google Business Profile listing should be high on your priority list. It provides your practice’s contact information, hours, and address directly in search results and on Google Maps. 

Adding local keywords, like “dentist in [City],” throughout your site increases your chances of appearing in local searches. Encourage satisfied patients to leave reviews on Google, as a strong review profile can further improve your visibility, making it easier for prospective patients to find you.

6. Build internal and external links.

Links help Google understand how your site is structured and show connections between pages, which increases your site’s credibility. So link to important pages, like service descriptions and patient testimonials, to guide users to relevant information and keep them engaged. 

External links are a big part of SEO. Reach out to dental associations, local directories, and other reputable sites for backlinks to your site. Being listed on trusted industry websites improves visibility and signals to search engines that your content is credible.

Want to know the best way to rank higher in Google Search results?

Implementing your SEO checklist is not a one-and-done dental marketing exercise. It’s an ongoing effort that can take time and perseverance. And sometimes, finding the time to make all that happen can be challenging.

This is where Jameson Management & Marketing can help. We are experts in dental marketing, starting with your dental website design for a great user experience, helping you with your local SEO, and creating amazing content that will keep readers coming back for more. And better yet, when you do all these things, your dental practice will grow. 

Ready to get started? Leave hard work to our dental marketing experts and see how your practice starts showing up high in those Google rankings. Contact us today.