When it comes to promoting nursing homes and other senior living facilities online, search engine optimization (SEO) is a crucial strategy to increase visibility and attract potential residents. However, local SEO is equally important as it helps businesses to appear in relevant local search results. In this article, we will explore the major differences between SEO and local SEO for nursing homes.
What is SEO?
SEO is the practice of optimizing a website to rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs) for relevant keywords. The goal of SEO is to increase organic traffic to the website and improve its visibility. SEO involves a range of strategies and techniques, including keyword research, content creation, link building, and technical optimizations.
For nursing homes, SEO can help to attract potential residents from a wider geographic area. By optimizing their website for relevant keywords and providing valuable content, nursing homes can attract visitors who are searching for information about senior living options. SEO can also help nursing homes to establish their authority in the industry and build trust with potential residents and their families.
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO, on the other hand, is a strategy that focuses on optimizing a business’s online presence for location-based searches. Local SEO is critical for nursing homes as it helps them to appear in relevant local search results when potential residents and their families search for senior living options in their area.
Local SEO involves optimizing a nursing home’s Google My Business (GMB) listing, building local citations, and obtaining positive reviews from residents and their families. These factors help Google to understand the nursing home’s relevance and authority for location-based searches.
Major Differences Between SEO and Local SEO for Nursing Homes
While SEO and local SEO share some common strategies and techniques, there are some key differences between the two that nursing homes need to consider when developing their digital marketing strategy.
- Target Audience
SEO targets a broader audience, while local SEO targets a specific geographic area. Nursing homes that want to attract potential residents from a wider geographic area should focus on SEO, while those that want to attract residents from their local area should focus on local SEO.
- Keyword Strategy
SEO requires a keyword strategy that targets relevant keywords with high search volume. Local SEO, on the other hand, requires a keyword strategy that targets location-based keywords such as “nursing homes near me” or “assisted living facilities in [city name].”
- Content Strategy
SEO requires a content strategy that focuses on providing valuable content to potential residents and their families. Local SEO requires a content strategy that includes location-specific content, such as information about local events, attractions, and amenities.
- Google My Business (GMB) Optimization
While SEO requires a well-optimized website, local SEO requires a well-optimized Google My Business (GMB) listing. Nursing homes should ensure their GMB listing is complete and accurate, including their address, phone number, and hours of operation. They should also encourage residents and their families to leave positive reviews.
- Local Citations
Local SEO also requires building local citations, which are mentions of the nursing home’s name, address, and phone number on other websites. Nursing homes should ensure their information is consistent across all online directories and websites to improve their authority and relevance for location-based searches.
SEO and local SEO are both critical strategies for promoting nursing homes and attracting potential residents. While they share some common strategies and techniques, there are some key differences that nursing homes need to consider when developing their digital marketing strategy. By understanding these differences and focusing on both SEO and local SEO, nursing homes can increase their visibility and attract more potential residents and their families.
