Did you know that over a billion people use Google Maps each month? Or that more than four million businesses list their location on the web mapping platform?
Since 2005, Google Maps has been a key source of location data for internet users worldwide. Today, the platform shares directions to addresses in 3,000+ cities across 45 countries. With such vast data, it is no surprise that several dentists are taking advantage of Google Maps’ local search ads as they look to achieve their business and marketing goals.
And frankly, you should too.
Chances are, your prospective patients look up dental services online when they need them. When they search for local SEO keywords like ‘dentist near me,’ the first thing they see is the Google Maps listing. If your dental practice is listed on Google Maps or running local search ads campaigns, you could be missing out on several patient leads every day.
93% of online experiences begin with a search engine. In other words, search engines like Google are the first places people visit when they go online. But imagine if your dental practice was one of the first things people saw when they looked up specific dental-related search queries. Think about the number of patients you could be attracting to your practice daily if your business was being showcased close to the top of Google’s search engine results page (SERPs).
This article will discuss the benefits of fully incorporating Google Maps into your dental marketing strategy. You’ll find out what local search ads are and how you can start taking advantage of them.
Benefits of Google Maps for Your Dental Practices
1. You Can Meet Patients Where They Are
Gone are the days of creating or running marketing campaigns that target a broad audience. Digital marketing in today’s world requires specific parameters and considerations that ensure your content, paid ads, or campaigns reach your customers or patients where they are.
With Google Maps, you can showcase your dental practice to prospective patients when and wherever they are searching for your services. Patients looking up dental services are likely more willing to schedule an appointment or give you a call right away. Google Maps helps you reach them at the best moment in their decision-making process.
2. It’s a Cost-Effective Way to Advertise Your Dental Practice
Listing your dental practice on Google Map costs absolutely nothing. It’s a free tool, and all you need to do is add or claim your Google My Business profile, verify your details, and your practice’s information will be listed on the Google Map. Given the kind of exposure this tool can give you and your practice, it’s definitely worth taking the time to set up your account.
However, if you want to get more from your Google Map listing, you can choose to run local search ads alongside your Google Maps business profile. Local search ads ensure your dental practice’s website is positioned close to the top of Google’s SERP whenever patients in your local area search for your dental services. Contact a Connect the Doc dental marketing specialist to set up your local search ads right away.
3. It Can Boost Your Conversion Rate
Asides from Google Maps’ free exposure and the targeted marketing that comes with running local search ads alongside your dental practice’s listing, Google Maps can serve as a tool for gathering and showcasing your patients’ reviews.
You can ask your patients to rate your practice and share their positive feedback and reviews on your Maps profile. As prospective patients read these reviews, they’ll learn more about your practice and expertise and be more willing to call your office or schedule an appointment with you. This will result in a higher patient lead conversion rate for your business and get you closer to your goals.
How Do Local Search Ads on Google Maps Work?
Local search ads are paid ads on Google Maps that make it easier for patients to find dental practices or other businesses nearby. These ads direct patients to visit your practice and help them navigate their way to your business location.
To set up local search ads on Google Maps, you need to enable or set up location extensions in your Google Ads profile. Location extensions are links on your ads that point visitors to your address. Once you’ve set that up, you should double-check your Google My Business to confirm that your practice’s information is accurate.
If that’s good to go, you can go ahead and set up geo-targeting parameters (i.e., location targeting) and bid by location as you set up your PPC campaigns in Google Ads. You should also make sure you’re using the right local dental SEO keywords in these ads. If this sounds even a bit complex to you, we highly recommend that you speak to a dental marketing expert who can guide you as you set up, run and manage your local search ads.
The beauty of Google Maps is that it gets you closer to your target patients. Coupled with local search ads, it helps you reach patients nearby who are ready to use your dental services. So do yourself a favor and start leveraging Google Maps for your dental practice.
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