In order to attract business for pet owners in your area, you must make your website and your brand easy to find when someone is actively searching for services like yours. If someone is planning to schedule an appointment with a veterinarian and they don’t come across your contact information, you could be missing out on a new client that is ready to commit. Are you showing up when a pet owner searches “vet near me?” This blog will help you determine if you are (and what to change if you are not).

The Ins and Outs of Local SEO

What exactly is local SEO? In simple terms, it’s paying special attention to the parts of your online presence that filter directly into local searches. Everything from your Google Business Profile to your usage of local keywords can affect your ranking in local searches. This location-specific optimization puts your website and contact information front and center for a local pet owner searching for a new veterinarian.

Why Local SEO Matters

Local SEO is imperative for businesses like yours because it allows you to reach your target audience at the precise moment when they are searching for a business with your services. Google will revert to a different algorithm for a local search. This algorithm focuses almost exclusively on factors like: 

• How relevant your business is to the search terms the pet owner is using.
• How close your physical location is to their current location (or the location with which they’re searching).
• Your online reputation (with factors like your customer reviews and local links).

How to Optimize Your Website for Local SEO

When it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO) of any kind, you should always start with your website. Your website is where search engines like Google will find a majority of your location and contact information, and it will use this to begin building a profile that can either make or break your ability to show up in local searches. You can do this by:

• Creating on-page content that connects your practice to the geographic area you serve. Think writing blogs about pet-friendly activities in your city, using your zip code in your Calls to Action, and incorporating location-specific keywords in your content. 
• Clearly listing your address, phone number, and email address on each page of your website. It’s also helpful to add a click-to-call function anytime you mention your phone number to make it even easier for someone to contact you when they’re ready to schedule an appointment. 
• Include links to your social media profiles (and back to your website from your social media profiles).

Enhanced Local SEO Optimization

Once your website is in order, there are a few other places you should place your focus to ensure you will be found in local searches. These include:

• Optimizing your Google Business profile. If you are a brick and mortar business, be sure it lists your accurate location information. If you are a mobile provider, add information about your service area. This is especially important if you cover a large service area, or if you provide emergency or urgent veterinary services. 
• Ensuring that your contact information matches across platforms. Try to find any website that lists your contact information (like Yelp, Apple Maps, Google Maps, etc,) and review it for updated and accurate contact information. You don’t want to miss out on a viable lead because someone was looking at a platform that had the wrong phone number listed. 
• Working on encouraging current clients to leave positive reviews. The more positive reviews you have from local pet owners, the better you’ll be able to reach new pet owners in your area.

Maintaining Local SEO

Keeping up with all the requirements necessary to show up in local searches can feel overwhelming. That’s why Beyond Indigo Pets is here to help you keep your veterinary practice at the top of every search results page. Our dedicated marketing team is here to handle the ins and outs of SEO so you can focus on running your business. To learn more about our services, contact us today.