One of the utmost marketing goals for many small businesses including dentists is Increasing organic rankings in search results.
In fact, LINKS are an important component in Google’s process of providing timely and relevant search results. Below is a snippet off of Steps to a Google-friendly site by Google.
“Links help our crawlers find your site and can give your site greater visibility in our search results…Google interprets a link from page A to page B as a vote by page A for page B. Votes cast by pages that are themselves ‘important’ weigh more heavily and help to make other pages ‘important.'”
The advantages of linking that go more to just acquiring links – it is involved, too. Linking out to organizations, businesses, and resources, you establish a deep and much-strengthened relationships with them. Of course, from time to time we love getting a mention online that is really flattering and your dental practice needs this!
Google notices the linking tasks that you’d done too and will have you rewarded for your generous sharing. This happens when you get links coming from trusted sites and each link back to your website is definitely a plus, which works well in your favor.
Surely, links are very, very important in order for your website to rank well at the top of search results to get more customers or patients in your area. How do you gain quality links to improve organic SEO ranking for your dental practice? Read on further to know a few easy steps.
4 ways to gain quality links
1. Write more blog posts
Creating original blog content is a great way to give and receive links. Not only that, but it’s also a vital way to get atop search engine rankings.
A good tip for you to start with is to write and post a blog topic with high linking potential, such as information or two about a local community business. By doing so you get some link back your way. Select a business you work with regularly, such as a local cafe, a personal trainer or a dental laboratory. With it you a describe their services, how else they are of help with their customers, and your positive experience with their business (feedback).
So now let’s say you have written your blog post, here’s a simple formula on increasing link building potential:
After you have published your blog post, you may do these: connect to their business through social media and send them an email to let them know you’ve written about their business. Just don’t forget the URL that will take them directly to the post.
It would be really nice to have your post shared in their blog, and it won't hurt to ask if they would be willing to do so on their site and social media accounts.
2. Support a local organization
One of the best ways to gain more exposure for your dental practice both online and offline is supporting a local group or organization or group, such as a sports team for youth. There really are good benefits of supporting, but this will depend on the group you have chosen. Usually, the benefits include::
The group’s website will post links that will go directly to your website
Your business’s mentions/links found on the group’s social media channels
Monthly newsletters and/or emails that have your business URL
Fliers, banners, and posters at important events
Referrals from one individual to another (word of mouth)
Forming positive alliances within the community
3. Set up lectures
Have yourself participate in a series of lectures regarding dentistry at your community. Schools are good, and students will greatly benefit from the knowledge you’ll bring. Not only that, there’s a good chance of getting new patients from providing lectures and introducing your dental practice and services, so plan a good schedule to have this organized and go for it.
Local community colleges, elementary schools, and dental schools often have opportunities for teaching a course, guest speaking, or simply being a participant in an internship program.
In every activity you do has a big chance of resulting of linking to your dental practice, and of course, you will have to ask first. A local institution’s website (domain ending in .edu) that provides your business link is incredibly valuable and very much worth the effort.
4. Don’t forget to include a community page on your website
POsting a community page on your website is yet another method to gain quality links. The advantages of this type of page help establish strong relationships among businesses and groups/organizations in your community, giving users updates information, and cross-promotion.
Here’s how to do it:
Take the time to create a list of your team’s favorite places such as restaurants, local attractions, events, shops, and services.
Getting involved just right with these businesses: take photos, meet these business owners, and mingle with them. Cross-promoting may sound simple, and it can be. Your businesses may differ, but converging at a common goal can be of great help and beneficial: you get to promote each other’s business.
Have a community page created along with useful information with the help of your dental marketing agency.
Reach out and connect to these businesses through social media and email to let them know you have promoted their business, once your community page is completely done for sharing.
Always update your site’s community page by getting involved with your readers. Add some more information by giving out recommendations, and such.
Building relationships offline mean reaching out and making connections with other businesses, groups and/or organizations, and most importantly patients in your area aren’t determined overnight. This will take time and the best results often come with links to your dental practice.