3 Tips for Getting Started With SEO

By Eric D. Garcia, Digital Strategist, Speaker, Consultant

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What is SEO? Simply put, SEO (which stands for Search Engine Optimization) means page visibility, or where your page ranks across online search engines. SEO has the potential to result in an immediate boon to your practice, as a surprisingly large percentage of business starts online with a simple Google search. If you’ve heard me speak before then you already know Google is by far the #1 search engine.

Why focus on Search Engine Optimization? Google has “crawlers” that comb through billions of web pages from all across the Internet, algorithmically analyzing, assessing, ranking and indexing web pages. They rank pages based on a multitude of factors, known as an algorithm, but the key to a successful page is to leverage the factors you can control.

A better page rank means more visits to your website, which ultimately can convert to more pet owners walking in the door. That last line is the crux, so hang on to the takeaway: A successful SEO strategy can convert into more business and help provide greater success for your practice. Now, how does your practice actually implement this and apply it in real-time?

Start with these top three tips to improve your SEO:

1. Register your practice on Yelp, Google+ and Bing. This will help to enhance your website’s ranking, and allow your practice to be recognized easily across each search engine. Each search engine provides instructions, and it’s easier than you think.

2. Secure as many positive Google Reviews as possible for your practice. Simply put, this is a crucial element to enhanced SEO. Reviews instantly

ERIC D. GARCIAFounder, Simply Done Tech Solutions

Garcia began his career at Veterinary Medical Clinic as an IT administrator. Since then, he has helped scores of veterinary practices and his work has been recognized throughout the industry. He speaks regularly at conferences in the USA, Canada and Europe. He has been published in top veterinary magazines, and is a contributing author of The Five-Minute Veterinary Practice Management Consult. He is also a member of VetPartners, an association for veterinary practice development. For more information, contact Eric Garcia at eric@simplydonetech.com or on Twitter @EricGarciaFL.

provide credibility for your hospital, while bumping you up in the rankings.

3. Make sure your website content naturally includes keywords that people will use when they search for you. These keywords shouldn’t be forced or crammed excessively into your website. They should, however, be clear, confident and relevant. A few solid keywords might be “animal hospital,” “veterinarian,” “animal clinic,” and the city or region where you’re doing business. All of these words help Google pinpoint who you are, what you do, where you’re located, and effectively deliver results to users with more accuracy.

This is only a small fraction of what is involved in Search Engine Algorithms, which are constantly evolving. However, these steps can help you dive into the basics, claim your listings, and keep extending your digital reach to more clients. And the best time to get started is today.

What does SEO stand for? What exactly does it do? More important, is it really relevant to your veterinary practice? These are great questions, and the answers really can help more pet owners find your practice, in both the digital and real world.