Understanding GMB Optimization for Healthcare Practices

Understanding GMB Optimization for Healthcare Practices

March 22, 2025
Google Ads for doctors

Limited time offer – Zero commission on Google Ads

You only pay what you spend on your Google Ads, no commission or hidden charges

Learn More

In 2025, every problem will have a "Google-it" solution, including finding the right doctor. When patients search for a healthcare practice, they trust the top results. That's why new patients need a well-optimized Google My Business (GMB) listing today.

With a well-optimized GMB profile, patients can easily locate your clinic, check your business hours, call with a single tap, and even book appointments seamlessly. They can also browse real patient reviews and see high-quality images of your practice, building confidence before they visit.

But GMB isn't just a listing—it's your digital front door. So, is your profile helping you attract more patients or letting them go to your competitors?

Setting up a GMB profile is simple. This blog will walk you through the steps to set up, claim, and optimize your clinic's Google My Business profile. Follow these steps to create and optimize your listing so your clinic becomes the first choice for patients searching online.

What is Google My Business Listing?

Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free and powerful tool that helps healthcare practices manage their online presence on Google Search and Maps. It’s like a digital front desk that connects patients to your clinic before they even step in.

google business profile of Freshdental Clinic
Google Business Profile of Freshdental Clinic

A Google Business Profile showcases all essential information that might be useful for your patients, including:

1) Clinic's Name

2) Address & Contact Details

3) Website

4) Clinic Description

5) Operating Hours

6) Patient Reviews & Ratings

7) Photos

8) Ongoing Offers & Discounts

So, when patients search for your practice or services, this information appears on Google, guiding them straight to you.

Why Optimizing Your Google Business Profile Matters for Your Practice?

When a nearby patient searches for your practice or the services you offer, they want quick answers—your address, operating hours, how to book an appointment, and what other patients say about you.

A well-optimized Google Business Profile makes your practice easy to find, provides complete NAP (Name, Address, Phone) details, and builds trust. It ensures patients get all the essential information at a glance, helping them choose your clinic with confidence. Here’s how it helps:

1) Patients Find You Faster

An optimized Google Business Profile always favors your practice when nearby patients search for related healthcare services near your clinic’s location. This means your practice becomes easily findable in local search results by securing a top spot. Ultimately, this results in more patients checking your services, accessing important information, and booking appointments faster.

2) Accurate Information Builds Trust

Patients need up-to-date details—your clinic’s address, operating hours, and contact information. If they come across outdated, duplicate, or missing details, they might get confused and look elsewhere. In such cases, a well-optimized Google Business Profile guides patients with real-time, accurate information, helping them make quick decisions and building long-lasting trust.

3) Appointment Booking Becomes Easy

Many patients like to book online instead of calling. With GMB’s booking feature, they can schedule appointments directly on Google.

For example, a patient searching "dentist near me" can see your clinic and book instantly. This saves time and makes the process easy and smooth.

4) Reviews Boost Your Reputation

Before choosing a doctor, patients check reviews. A fully optimized Google My Business profile includes after-treatment photos and positive reviews that influence new patients and clarify your actual image. This consequently refines your brand image and enhances the reputation of your clinic.

5) Showcase Services & Updates

Want to share a new treatment or special consultation hours? You can post updates, offers, and services on GMB.

For example, if you start evening consultations, you can add a post saying, "Now open till 8 PM for appointments!" This keeps patients informed. They often check online before visiting your clinic.

Setting Up and Verifying Your Google Business Profile

1) Create a Google Business Profile

If you don't have a Google Business Profile for your clinic, you need to create it from scratch. To start with, the steps for GMB profile creation include:

- Go to Google My Business.

- Sign in with your business Gmail account (not your personal one).

- Click "Add Your Business" and enter your practice name.

- Select the most relevant category, like "Dental Clinic" or "Medical Center."

- Enter your practice address and phone number.

- If you offer telehealth or home visits, choose "Yes" when asked about service ar

google business profile name field

Verify Your Business

After entering all the necessary details—such as your business description, location, contact details, and services—Google will require you to verify your practice.

You can choose one of the following verification methods:

- Postcard: Google will mail a verification code to your business address. This process can take 5–14 days.

- Phone: If eligible, you'll receive a call or text with a verification code.

- Email: Some businesses may get an email with a verification link.

Furthermore, follow the on-screen instructions to enter the code and complete verification. Once verified, your practice profile will be visible to potential patients on Google Search and Maps.

gbp phone verification field

Claim Your Existing Google Business Listing

Before creating a new profile, check if your practice already has an unclaimed Google Business Profile. If it does, follow these steps to claim it. For additional guidance on boosting your digital presence, consider exploring our doctor local SEO solutions.

Via Google Search:

- Search for your business name on Google.

- Click "Own this business?" if the option appears.

- Follow the instructions to verify and claim your listing.

Via Google Maps:

- Open Google Maps and search for your practice.

- Click "Claim this business" in the listing details.

- Complete the verification process to gain full control.

How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Optimizing your Google My Business (GMB) profile helps increase your online visibility, attract more customers, and improve local SEO rankings. Follow these 10 essential tips for Google My Business optimization to stand out:

1) Optimize Your Business Description

The first thing patients will notice on your GMB listing is your business description, which appears just below your business name. It should strongly represent the core values of your practice.

A clear business description highlights your specialties, treatments, and unique offerings. Use patient-friendly language to explain why patients should choose your practice.  

GMB description of Freshdental Clinic

Follow these steps to update your business description:

- Sign in to your Google My Business account.

- Click on "Edit Profile" and navigate to the Business Description section.

- Write a clear, keyword-rich description (e.g., "Top-rated dental clinic in [City], offering cosmetic and general dentistry.").

- Avoid keyword stuffing to maintain readability.

2) Choose the Right Business Category

The business category in your GMB profile helps Google understand your practice and display your profile to the right patients searching for your services. Choosing the correct primary category ensures your business appears in broad search results. In contrast, secondary categories refine the search, making it more specific.

For example, if you run a dental clinic, your primary category should be "Dentist." If your clinic also offers orthodontic services and cosmetic dentistry, you can add "Orthodontist" and "Cosmetic Dentist" as secondary categories. This helps Google show your business to the right audience searching for these specific services.

business category of Steeple Run Family Dental

Follow these steps to update categories:

- Go to your Google My Business dashboard.

- Click "Edit Profile" → Business Category.

- Select the most relevant primary category and add secondary ones.

3) Link Your Website and Social Media Accounts

Connecting your website and social media accounts to your Google My Business (GMB) profile helps patients learn more about your practice and book appointments easily. If you run a dental clinic, you might also benefit from our GMB solutions for dental practices to improve your local visibility.

Start by adding your official website link so visitors can explore your services, contact details, and patient resources. A well-optimized website improves credibility and boosts your local SEO rankings.

Next, link your social media profiles like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. This allows patients to see updates, reviews, and community engagement, building trust.

Follow these steps to add links:

- Navigate to Google My Business Dashboard → Edit Profile → Contact.

- Enter your website URL and links to Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

4) Optimize Google Business Attributes

Let's highlight every special attribute you offer to stand out from the competition. If your clinic provides telemedicine consultations, adding this attribute lets patients know they can book virtual visits. They are more likely to choose your practice over one that doesn't offer this service.

Google business attributes showcase key features like wheelchair accessibility, emergency services, and free parking. These details help patients find a clinic that meets their needs, boosting trust and engagement.

GMB attribute examples

Follow these steps to add attributes:

- Go to Google My Business Dashboard → Edit Profile → More.

- Select attributes like "24/7 Emergency Services" or "Accepts New Patients".

5) Add High-Quality Photos

Available media and high-quality photos directly reflect your healthcare practice. They create a special impact. Visually appealing photos of your entire practice help convert more patients. They give them a sense of what to expect during the visit. Use high-quality, clear images of your clinic, staff, waiting areas, and treatment options to build trust and showcase your practice.

Follow these steps to add photos:

- Sign in to Google My Business.

- Click "Add Photos" from the dashboard.

- Upload images under categories like Logo, Cover Photo, Team, and Facilities.

6) Collect and Manage Patient Reviews

Collecting and managing patient reviews is crucial for building trust and improving search rankings. Positive reviews enhance your credibility and influence potential patients' decisions. Google prioritizes businesses with frequent, high-quality reviews, boosting your visibility in local searches.

Encourage satisfied patients to leave reviews by sharing a direct email, text, or social media link. Respond to all reviews—thank positive reviewers and professionally address negative feedback. This shows engagement and commitment to patient satisfaction, further strengthening your reputation.

example of GMB review from a client with reply

Follow these steps to request reviews:

- Go to Google My Business Dashboard → Get More Reviews.

- Copy the review link and share it via SMS, email, or social media.

- Respond to all reviews, thanking positive ones and addressing concerns professionally.

7) Share Google Posts for Patient Engagement

Use Google Posts to share clinic updates, health tips, and promotional offers.

GMB post examples

Follow these steps to create posts:

- Open Google My Business Dashboard → Posts.

- Click "Create Post" and select a category (Update, Offer, Event).

- Add a clear title, description, and call-to-action (e.g., "Book Now").

8) Enable Google Q&A for Common Patient Queries

Patients often have common questions before choosing a doctor. For example, they might ask, "Do you offer same-day appointments?" or "What insurance do you accept?"

Google Q&A lets patients ask these questions directly on your profile. Answer them quickly to provide helpful information and build trust.

You can also add common FAQs yourself to guide potential patients better. A well-managed Q&A section improves engagement and helps patients make informed decisions.

question and answer on Steeple Run Family Dental GMB profile

Follow these steps to manage Q&A:

- Go to Google My Business Dashboard → Q&A.

- Review questions and add responses.

- Pre-fill common questions like "Do you accept insurance?".

9) Showcase Your Services and Treatments

Listing all your services on your Google Business Profile helps patients find the right treatment. A clear and detailed service list improves visibility and attracts the right audience.

Follow these steps to add services:

- Navigate to Google My Business Dashboard → Edit Profile → Services.

- Click "Add Service," enter a name, and write a short description.

- Add pricing details if applicable.

10) Enable Appointment Booking

Another way to optimize your Google Business Profile is by enabling appointment booking. This feature makes it easier for patients to schedule visits and improves your conversion rate. A simple booking system reduces friction and enhances the patient experience.

GBP online booking CTA button

Follow these steps to enable online bookings:

- Go to Google My Business Dashboard → Bookings.

- Connect a scheduling platform like Calendly, Zocdoc, Practo, or your clinic's system.

- Ensure appointment slots are updated regularly.

- Ensure the booking button is visible on your profile to attract new patients.

The Final Words

Google has changed how businesses connect with local customers. With a quick search, patients can find clinics, read reviews, and book appointments in seconds.

The days when simply listing your business on Google was enough to attract patients are long gone. Today, optimizing your Google Business Profile is key. A well-optimized profile boosts visibility, builds trust, and brings more patients to your practice.

Of course, there are many ways to improve your profile, but the most important thing is to keep it updated, engaging, and informative.

Still not sure if your profile is fully optimized? Remedo can help you optimize your Google Business listing with a precise strategy and proven tactics to drive your practice's growth in local searches.

Book a FREE consultation

Get in touch with our healthcare marketing expert

Help us get to know you

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
One of our colleagues will get back to you shortly.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.