How to Set Up Your Dental Practice’s Google Business Profile

If you’re going to be in the top three Google results and draw all the new traffic of high-paying prospective patients, you first have to be sure that you’ll actually show up. Setting up your Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) correctly ensures that new patients can find you. 

Why does it matter? We have not one, but three convincing reasons: 

1. 92% of all search traffic comes through Google (Hootsuite)
2. 46% of all Google searches are looking for local information (Social Media Today)
3. If you have a complete Google Business Profile, prospects are 2.7X more likely to consider you reputable and 70% more likely to visit your location (Hootsuite)

Clearly, it’s worth doing more than a superficial job filling out your Business Profile the right way.

Create Your Profile

If your practice is on the newer or smaller side, you might not be on Google at all yet. It just takes two quick steps to get set up.

1. Sign in to Google Business Profile Manager at https://www.google.com/business/
2. Search for your business by name in the search bar. If it exists already, just click to “claim” it. If it hasn’t been entered before, fill in all of the following fields:

• Practice name
• Category of business (i.e. Dental Practice)
• Business location
• Contact information
• Your mailing address (this field will be kept confidential and will just be used to verify your location by mailing you a postcard)
• Open hours
• Business description
• Photos of your business and staff

Optimize Your Profile

Most likely, your practice is already on Google. But even if you have a listing, you might not be making the most of it. Just like healthy teeth, your profile needs its own semi-annual cleaning.

You would be surprised how many high-status practices don’t have a completed profile. The more information you provide, the more likely you are to get in front of the right searcher and maybe even rise above more established practices. 

Here are some tips:

• Complete every field when possible, including ones that may seem unnecessary, like your business description
• Make sure you complete the address verification process for your physical location
• Add photos. These will show up alongside your listing and can show off your smiling staff and state-of-the-art equipment. Make sure your photos are professional-quality – they should make your practice seem trustworthy and not look like they were quickly snapped in bad lighting. It’s worth taking some time to get these right or finding someone who can help.
• Use keywords in your description. For example, if you are a periodontist or provide dental implants, talk about those things by name.

Frequently Asked Questions About Google Business Profiles

Q: What if I don’t have a web presence?

A: You don’t technically need a website to set up your Google Business Profile, but we highly recommend at least standing up a simple website if you don’t have one already. Having a web presence makes your practice appear more professional, polished, and trustworthy and it gives visitors a chance to learn more about your services. 

Q: How do I manage multiple locations?

A: On the top right corner of your Google Business Dashboard, find the “Add Business” drop-down menu, click “Add Single Business” and add the information for any additional practice locations. They’ll each show up as their own listing for nearby searchers.

Q: What about other search engines?

A: Although Google isn’t the only place people search for dentists, it is the most important by a mile. Like we said before, 92% of all search traffic comes through Google (Hootsuite). Before you focus on your Yelp, Healthgrades, Zocdoc, Vitals, 1-800 Dentist, or Facebook profiles, try to get your reputation on Google in a good place. However, do note that if your business is listed on other sites, it’s important to keep your information – like hours and contact information – consistent.