If you’re a dentist looking to attract more local patients, ranking higher on Google Maps is one of the most effective ways to get noticed. When someone searches for a “dentist near me,” Google Maps listings appear at the top of the results—and that’s exactly where your practice should be. Here’s how you can make that happen.
Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Start by claiming your Google Business Profile (GBP) if you haven’t already. Then optimize every detail.
- Make sure your business name, address, and phone number are accurate and consistent.
- Choose the right primary category (e.g., dentist, cosmetic dentist).
- Add your website URL, office hours, and services.
- Upload clear, professional photos of your practice, team, and logo.
- Write a compelling business description using keywords like Google Maps SEO for dentists or optimize dental listing for Google Maps.
“Google ranks local businesses based on relevance, distance, and prominence,” says Felix Shaye, Google Certified Expert and founder of AdJet Marketing. “Optimizing your Google Business Profile is step one to show up where it matters.”
Use Local Keywords on Your Website
Google looks at your website to decide if you’re a good match for local searches.
- Add city-specific keywords to your homepage and service pages (e.g., family dentist in Plano).
- Use phrases like Google Maps marketing for dental practices or improve dentist local search results naturally in your content.
- Create dedicated pages for each location if you have more than one clinic.
Get More High-Quality Reviews
Online reviews are a top factor in Google Maps rankings. Here’s how to get more:
- Ask happy patients to leave a review right after their appointment.
- Send a text or email link to make it easy.
- Reply to every review, good or bad. It shows Google and potential patients that you care.
“Reviews are like modern-day word-of-mouth,” says Felix. “Google notices when you consistently get positive feedback from local patients.”
Add Local Business Schema
Schema markup helps search engines understand your website. Local business schema tells Google you’re a dental clinic in a specific area.
- Ask your web developer to add it, or hire a local SEO expert for dental clinic.
- Include key fields like name, address, phone, business hours, and service area.
Build Local Citations
Citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number on other websites.
- Submit your info to dental directories, healthcare listings, and local business platforms.
- Ensure NAP consistency across all sites—Google checks for mismatches.
Citations help rank dental office on Google Maps by confirming your legitimacy and location.
Earn Local Backlinks
Backlinks from local websites boost your authority.
- Partner with nearby schools, sports teams, or nonprofits.
- Get featured in local news, blogs, or business directories.
- Sponsor a community event and ask for a website link in return.
Use Posts and Updates on Google Maps
Keep your profile fresh by posting updates about your services, promotions, or events.
- Share a new blog post or answer a common dental question.
- Announce holiday hours or special offers.
- Use visuals and keywords like Google Maps ranking help for dentists to catch attention.
These updates show Google that your profile is active and engaging.
Make Your Website Mobile-Friendly
Most Google Maps users are on their phones. If your site loads slowly or doesn’t display well, people will leave—and Google will notice.
- Use large buttons, fast-loading images, and easy-to-read text.
- Test your site using Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool.
Track Performance with a Local SEO Audit
If you’re not sure what’s working, get a dental SEO audit for local ranking. This helps identify:
- Profile issues
- Keyword gaps
- Website errors
- Opportunities for improvement
A professional audit can help you decide what to fix first for faster results.
Want expert help to optimize your dental listing for Google Maps or need full-service dentist Google Maps SEO services? Let our team at AdJet Marketing take the lead. We specialize in local SEO for dentists and have helped practices just like yours show up first when it counts most.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with Felix Shaye and see how we can boost your local search ranking.
