Common SEO Questions

Does every page on my site really need optimized? 

You can choose to lay in bed all day, but if you are going to get maximum results you have to not only get up but you have to go about your business doing things the right way--and search is no different. While you can only optimize one page on your website, if you want real business form the web, you need to dominate the search results which means doing it right. 

Optimizing all your pages Guarantees indexing by Google and othe other search engines. 

Lastly, here’s a simple question. Do you want multiple pages to show up when someone is searching for the types of cases you want to do routinely, are skilled at doing, and are trained to do? If your answer is yes, then taking not only position #1 but #2 PLUS even more positions is the best way to deliver that and the best way to drive out your competition. Thus, having more of your pages optimized is a must. 


What is SEO? 

The process by which we take your website and optimize it internally (inside the computer code) and externally with how the search engines rank your site to ultimately promote your rankings in the results that the search engine provides to the prospective patient. [If you don’t have a website, we’ll create you one that is ready for quick optimization and fast results.] 

Simply put, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process aimed at having your web site show up higher in the listings ahead of your competition for key terms related to your practice and procedures you wish to be doing. 


Can you Guarantee me the #1 position on the search engines? 

We do offer Guaranteed placement with certain SEO packages. Our Deluxe Packages are designed to give you multiple listings on the first page of the search results. 


How long does SEO take? 

Generally by 2-3 months you will begin to see results, and within 6-8 months it's "full steam ahead." 


Do I need to submit my site to the search engines? 

The "add your website" forms that Google, Yahoo, and other provide are worthless and really do nothing. Without optimizing your site and forcing the Google "spiders" (because they "crawl" the web investigating what is contained on every website) to index (file) your site properly in the ways that the site will show up higher in the rankings, you will never appear where you need or want to be. 


Can I have more than one web address? 

Absolutely. Some of the advanced SEO tactics use "mini-sites" based on specific areas of, for example, dentistry like dental implants, intravenous sedation, cosmetic dentures, etc. which absolutely flood the search engine results with your name. Google will limit how many results it will show for each domain you own, so if you want more than 2 positions, you need more than 1 domain. This is an advanced strategy that literally no one else out there is providing in dental land. 


I’ve read that Google has changed their algorithm and people are losing ranking overnight. Do I need worry? 

Google changes their algorithm constantly, as do all search engines. They are constantly tightening and closing loopholes. This is why there is no "set it and forget it" process to keep you #1. You may stay up for 6 months, but eventually you will drop down if you don't keep up with it. Your best bet is to stick with someone who is staying on top of making sure the new rules are always working for you. It’s also one of the reasons that we limit our web services based on geographic locations, establishing an "exclusive zone" for your practice, so that everyone involved with us gets results no matter what Google is doing at any given time. There’s no way for a ‘mega’ website company to be able to deliver this. 


Can you have a look at my page and tell me how to improve its position with search engines? 

Sure, we offer a free 30 minute Rock n Roll Web Consult to analyze your web presence and show you where improvements can be made.  These are available in extremely limited quantities, contact us for the next available dates and times.


What is page popularity? 

It's the way Google and other engines rank your page by analyzing if other pages link to it and what’s said about your website on other pages at other sites. 


If I accidentally spammed the search engines, how can I get back on? 

Good luck! There are some remedies available, but it is very difficult to get re-ranked if you're already blacklisted. The key is to only use "white hat" techniques and not get blacklisted. Google loves SEO, but will ban you if you abuse their system. 


Why aren't more people using Online Marketing with the Online Yellow pages? 

If you’ve been reading the business pages in the Wall Street Journal, you know that the online yellow pages aren’t doing that well and businesses aren’t getting good results with it--especially for what the cost is--it can be as expensive as the printed yellow pages! Why? Because you, like most every other consumer, has decided an answer to the following question. ‘Why should I waste time going to a online yellow pages directory and doing my own search, when all I have to do is type what I want into the search bar and up comes whatever it is I’m looking for?’ Thus, with Google being king, very few consumers are bothering with online yellow pages. They Google it and move on to making a decision. 


What about listing sites for [my profession], are they any good? 

It’s the same issue as the online yellow pages--except worse because these sites do absolutely nothing and no consumer has these directories memorized. Thus, the online listing services are shown to be even less effective than yellow pages. Yes, consumers might search their insurance company’s site to see if you “take” their insurance, but outside of that kind of search, the patient won’t bother with any directory. Once again, they go straight to Google and make a decision. 


Is Google Adwords worth paying for? "I never click on those sponsored listings and don't know anyone that does" 

You might not be clicking but thousands of other consumers are including dental patients. Some patients will only click on ads, others will only click on the free listings. If you ignore one or the other, you are losing out. Our clients consistently show very large cases coming to their practice from just Adwords, so it’s a smart strategy to include for your online marketing. 


How does "cost per click" work, and how do you know what you get? 

CPC is actually a bidding war between places. #1 pays the most, #2 next, etc. Each time a web searcher clicks on your ad, you pay "per click". It could be $.05, or it could be $10, depending on how many other people you're bidding against and where your placement is. It is extremely cost-effective when setup properly and optimized over time. Like any advertising medium, if you don't know how to reach out to your audience and interpret the results, you're going to lose the game--thus needing an expert well versed in the pay-per-click (PPC/CPC) side of this. 

The other good news is the science shows that there are ways to be smack dab in the middle of the paid ads and still get great results. Thus, one purpose behind our PPC system is to reduce your costs while still getting you very good results. So, while other doctors foolishly waste money believing they have to be #1 or #2 in the paid ads, you can get the same results without spending the same. 


I've already got a website and really like it, can you do SEO/PPC/etc on it? 

If you’re website is a quality site, then all of the above can be applied to it. However, if you have a template website that other doctors in your area have then you will need to upgrade your site. There are serious limitations to what results can be expected from the template site. 5 years ago, having a template was great, now with the level of sophistication needed, it simply doesn’t work. 

Here are the 3 basic keys to every website that is designed to create business: 

Traffic + Conversion of Traffic to Customers =Revenue $$$. 

The Traffic is brought in through Adwords PPC and SEO campaigns. The conversion is what you do with that traffic to move them from "visitor" to "customer" - having a slick website design and convincing them you're the expert is critical. This includes what they get from you versus all your competition and testimonials/endorsements--including video. 

For long term results, it’s critical to have automatic follow-up for both online and offline campaigns. Whether they immediately buy or not, staying in touch with everyone and letting them know you're still there is critical for long term return on your investment. 

Many conversions don't happen right away, it's the follow up process that builds the trust with your patients and leads to the sales. 

Fumbling at any step will lead to less or even no $$$ returned. 

So: Very Good Website + Prospective Patients Seeing the Website + Getting the Patient to Raise Their Hand to Interact with Your Practice + Short and Long-Term Follow-Up = Maximum Results and $$$ Returned.