When we talk about growing your dental clinic online, there are two main ways to get more people to visit your website: SEO vs. Google Ads. Both can help you, but which one should you use?
This article will explain the distinction between the two. That way, you can decide which is best for your dental practice. Let’s break it down in a simple way!
What Is Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)?
SEO is all about improving your website so it shows up in search results on Google without paying for ads. It makes your website easy for Google to grasp. This helps your website show up when people search for things like “best dentist near me.” It may take time, but it brings long-term results.
What Is Google Ads?
Google Ads help you secure a position before organic results when someone has a search query. You pay every time someone clicks on your ad. The results are quick, but the ads stop showing once the budget runs out.
SEO Vs. Google Ads: Key Differences
Now, let’s look at how SEO and Google Ads are different and how they work for your dental practice.
Cost
When you use Google Ads, you must pay each time someone clicks on your ad. This is called pay-per-click (PPC). The cost can change depending on how many others bid for the same keywords.
For example, if many other dentists bid for the keyword “dentist near me,” the cost of showing your ad can be higher.
With SEO, you don’t pay every time someone clicks on your website. Yet, you might need to spend money at the start to make your website better, write content, or hire someone to help you. Thus, SEO can be cheaper in the long run.
Timeframe
Google Ads gives you quick results. When you start your Google Ads campaign, your ad will appear at the top of the Google search results.
If people are looking for what you offer, they can click your ad right away. This means you can start getting visitors to your website almost right after running your ad.
SEO can take a few months to see your work’s results. But the good thing is that once your website starts ranking well, it stays in search engine results pages for a long time.
This means you can keep getting people to visit your website without paying for ads every time. SEO can be more helpful in the long run.
Targeting
With Google Ads, you can choose who sees your ads. You can pick the keywords you want to target, like “best dentist in [your city]” or “emergency dental care”.
You can also choose the area where you want your ads to show up. This way, your ads will be seen by people searching for what you offer.
With SEO, you can’t choose exactly who will see your website. SEO works by making your website better so it ranks higher for relevant keywords. If your website shows up at the top of the search results for the right keywords, more people will find it.
Why SEO Is Important For Your Dental Practice
SEO is really important if you want your dental practice to be found on Google without needing to pay for ads.
It helps you get more people to visit your website and learn about the services you offer. The more people find your website, the more potential patients you can help!
Why Keywords Matter For SEO
Keywords are words that people type into Google when looking for a dentist. If you use the right keywords on your website, your site will likely appear when people search for them.
Let’s say you offer emergency dental care. If someone types “emergency dentist in [your town]” into Google, you want your website to appear.
How SEO Helps Your Dental Practice
Here’s how you can improve your SEO:
- On-Page SEO: This is about the elements that appear on the front end. Your website should have content with the right keywords, meta descriptions, and links.
- Off-Page SEO: This is about getting other websites to link to yours. This shows Google that your website is worthy of trust.
- Technical SEO is about making your website work well, load fast, and look good on mobile devices.
Benefits Of SEO
With SEO, you can get free visitors to your website. People are willing to trust organic search results more than ads. If your website appears at the top of organic search results, people are likelier to click on it.
Why Google Ads Is Necessary For Your Dental Practice
Google Ads is a great tool that can make your dental practice grow. It works fast, making it great for reaching people in an instant.
Google Ads can help spread the word right away if you’re:
- Offering a special deal
- Introducing a new service
- Trying to bring in more patients fast
Setting Up Google Ads Campaigns
Creating a Google Ads campaign is simple and effective. First, you pick the keywords you want to target. People type these words into Google when searching for services you offer.
“Teeth whitening near me” or “emergency dental care [your town]” can make you appear on top when people search.
When you set up your Google PPC ads, you also decide where and when your ads will show. You can target specific areas, like your city or suburb, and choose times when your ads appear.
If your practice offers after-hours care, you can run ads in the evening for those who need immediate help.
There are different types of ads you can create:
Search Ads
Search Ads appear at the top of Google when someone searches for your chosen keywords. They are perfect for services like “dental implants” or “cosmetic dentistry.”
Why? That’s because Search Ads appear right when people look for them.
Display Ads
Display Ads appear on websites that are part of the Google Display Network. These ads can showcase your practice through images or banners. So they really great for building awareness.
For example, if someone visits a health website, they might see your ad about your dental services.
Shopping Ads
If you sell dental care kits or whitening treatments, Shopping Ads are ideal. These ads display your products and their prices, making it easy for people to buy directly from you.
Video Ads
You can also run Video Ads on platforms like YouTube. These are great for:
- Sharing helpful tips
- Showcasing your services
- Introducing your dental team
A reel or a YouTube Short about your gentle approach to dental care can build patient trust.
Which One Is Right For Your Dental Practice?
Choosing between SEO and Google Ads isn’t about picking one that’s “better.” It’s about figuring out what your dental practice needs right now. Each tool is useful in its own way.
The right choice depends on where your practice is on its journey to bringing in new patients.
When SEO Feels Slow
SEO helps your website show up in organic search results. It’s a great way to build a strong online presence that lasts a long time.
But it doesn’t happen overnight. It can take months to see big changes in your SEO efforts. If your website is new or your rankings aren’t improving, it might feel like progress is too slow.
Sometimes, it can feel frustrating. You’ve been working hard to improve your website with SEO and content creation, but you see no results.
This is when you might need something that works faster to help your practice grow.
How Google Ads Benefits You
It doesn’t have to be SEO vs. Google Ads—you can use both to help your practice.
Here’s how Google Ads can help in different situations:
- Starting Out: If your practice is new, use Google Ads to help people find you while you’re building your SEO strategy.
- Slow Times: If fewer people book appointments, running ads can help you get more patients.
- Promotions: If you’re offering a deal or introducing a new service, Google Ads can help spread the word.
Think of Google Ads as a way to boost your visibility right here, right now. Yet SEO is the steady path to staying visible for the long term.
What Does Your Practice Need?
Here are some questions to help you decide:
- Do you need fast results, or are you building for the future?
- Are you starting out or competing with other well-known clinics?
- Are your SEO efforts bringing in enough visitors?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to see results with SEO?
SEO takes time. It can take several months to see results, but once you do, they last much longer than Google Ads.
How do I know if my SEO or Google Ads is working?
With Google Ads, you can track clicks and conversions. For SEO, you can check your website’s rankings and see how much organic traffic you get.
Are SEO results permanent?
SEO results can last long if you keep your website updated. Make sure to add new content and check your keywords often. But Google changes its rules sometimes, so you might need to change your plan to stay on top.
What is the role of negative keywords in Google Ads?
Negative keywords help your ads avoid showing up for the wrong searches. For example, if you don’t offer free dental services, you can use “free” as a negative keyword. This way, people looking for free services won’t see your ad.
What are some common mistakes to avoid with Google Ads?
Here are some mistakes people often make with Google Ads:
- Picking broad keywords that don’t match what people are looking for.
- Not setting a budget, which can lead to spending too much money.
- Forgetting to use negative keywords, so your ads show up for searches you don’t want.
Is Google Ads affected by Google’s algorithm updates?
Google Ads isn’t affected as much by these updates. That’s because ads are based on bidding, not the same rules that rank websites in search results.
How much should I budget for Google Ads?
Your budget depends on what you want to achieve and the cost of your keywords. You can start with a small amount, see how your ads perform, and then change your budget if needed.
Getting help from a professional can make sure your money is spent wisely.
Can Google Ads work without a website?
Yes, Google Ads can work even without a website. Your ads can send people to a landing page or your Google My Business profile. But having a good website is better because it helps you look more professional and trusted.
How often should I update my SEO strategy?
You should update your SEO plan every few months. This helps you keep up with changes in search engines and makes sure your keywords still work. Regular updates help you stay ahead of your competition.
Do I need professional help with SEO or Google Ads?
You can try doing some basic work independently, but hiring a professional can save you time and get better results. Experts know how to make your website work well and manage your ads so they reach the right people.
Final Remarks
Both SEO and Google Ads are great ways to help your dental practice grow. Google Ads works fast and can get people to see your website right away, while SEO helps make your website strong for the future.
It’s not always about SEO vs. Google Ads; both can give you the best results. More people can learn about your dental services when these tools work together. Knowing how to use them together will turn your dental practice into a magnet for new, loyal patients.
Want to attract more patients and grow your practice? We can help! Whether you want quick results with Google Ads, long-term success with SEO, or both, we’re here in Sydney for you.
Contact Mediboost today at 1300 163 058 to talk about your goals. Let’s make a plan that works for your dental practice and helps you grow!
Sources:
Cunningham, C. (2023, July 26). Keyword research for SEO: the ultimate guide. Yoast. Retrieved November 28, 2024, from https://yoast.com/keyword-research-ultimate-guide/
Freedman, M. (2024, November 6). What Is Google Ads and Why Should You Use It? business.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024, from https://www.business.com/articles/6-reasons-why-your-business-should-be-using-google-adwords/
GeeksforGeeks. (2024, March 11). SEO vs Google Ads. GeeksforGeeks. Retrieved November 28, 2024, from https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/seo-vs-google-ads/
Shopify Staff. (2024, October 18). What Is Display Advertising? Types of Display Ads Explained. Shopify. Retrieved November 28, 2024, from https://www.shopify.com/blog/display-advertising
Weiner, A. (2024, November 12). What is SEO? A beginner’s guide to search engine optimization. Wix Blog. Retrieved November 28, 2024, from https://www.wix.com/blog/what-is-seo
