Recently, Google has made things even more challenging for the therapy industry by banning ads for this niche. Combined with a significant increase in competition, it’s more difficult than ever to improve organic, local, and mobile rankings. Despite these evolving challenges, there are alternative ways to make improvements and stay ahead of your competition.

Sign of Google Business Profile for a Therapy Practice

With more conversions happening right within the Google search results, a great strategy is focusing on optimizing your Google Business Profile for your therapy practice. This business listing is the only place within Google that you can directly control what your audience is seeing. From posts to Q&A, potential patients can interact and engage with your therapy practice in unique ways.

In this post, we uncover unique ways to take advantage of Google Business Profile for your therapy practice.

What is Google Business Profile?

Google Business Profile is a search engine tool that allows you to better manage how you appear in various Google search options, including Google Maps and the local 3-pack. Like many Google tools, it’s a free tool to use, but you do have to claim your listing and make some updates to ensure all the information is accurate. Some basic components of your business listing include:

  • Official Business Name
  • Business Address
  • Operating Business Hours
  • Contact Information, such as a phone number.

A Google Business Profile listing can be a powerful marketing tool for businesses of all types, but especially for alcohol treatment facilities. Not only are you able to control what information is displayed in Google, but you can also interact directly with your audience.

With new features such as Questions & Answers, online reviews, and messaging, customers can reach out directly to ask questions, leave Google reviews, or interact with your brand in other ways.

These business listings are incredibly important for local Google searches as well. When users are looking for a therapy center in a specific physical location, listings can appear directly in the search results, within the local 3-pack, or on Google Maps. As searchers do their research, there are many opportunities for your GBP listing to appear throughout the first phase of the buyer’s journey.

Tips for Putting a Google Business Profile Account to Work for You

Google Business Profile for your therapy practice isn’t just a static listing. You can leverage tools on the business page to create relevant and enticing business information for potential clients. Below are a few tips for taking advantage of GBP as a private practice.

Leverage the Questions & Answers Function

All Google users now have the ability to leave a question in the Q&A section on your listing. While you certainly want to be careful how you answer questions on your business page – and you certainly can’t address individual therapy concerns in a public forum – the Q&A function can let you put would-be clients and families at ease by being as transparent as possible about therapy methods.

Knowing what to expect in treatment can help someone make the final decision to seek rehab. A kind, knowledgeable answer to one person’s question may prompt others to reach out to your facility while showcasing your excellent support skills.

A few best practices for the  Q&A feature include:

  • Tasking someone within your organization with ensuring any questions are answered fully, appropriately and within a short amount of time
  • Hosting question and answer sessions with different subject-matter-experts from your organization right on the Google Business Profile listing
  • If someone asks a question that is better answered privately, you can direct them to the right phone number of email to handle it directly.

Leverage Messaging to Promote Conversations

You can configure messaging from your Google Business Profile listing to an app (Google offers the Allo messaging app which can be accessed through a web browser) or a smartphone to encourage individuals to reach out immediately for information or assistance.

For drug rehab centers, an immediate contact option is important to provide. Someone who is looking for assistance with addiction may not reach out again, and they may become discouraged if they can’t find an easy way to contact someone. At the same time, do work with compliance experts to understand whether the relevant messaging apps and services are compliant with HIPAA before you put them to use discussing protected health information.

Publish Posts to Share Important News

Finally, you can publish content directly to your Google Business Profile listing with posts. Each post allows you to share a message, link out to other pages, and post an eye-catching graphic. There are many different types of posts including news, events, promotions, etc. A few tips for treatment centers include:

  • Providing tips for knowing when to seek rehab
  • Encouragement for seeking rehab
  • Links to your on-page articles or blog posts
  • Staff bios, especially if you have a specialist of note
  • Events and group meetings to increase attendance.
  • Highlight major news updates such as moving locations or acquiring a new building.

Make Your Google Business Profile Listing Shine Above the Rest

By putting these tips to work, you can make your Google Business Profile listing stand out online from the competition. For more tips and ideas for leveraging your Google Business Profile listing, contact one of our local drug rehab SEO experts today.

Matt2

Reviewed by:

Matthew Travers
Rehab Marketing Expert

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