SEO for Plastic Surgeons
We’ll guide you step by step through our proven process to help your practice reach that critical top position. But first, let’s look at why local SEO is so important for plastic surgeons.
3 Reasons Plastic Surgeons Must Invest in Local SEO
📘 1. Yellow Pages Are Out — Google Is In
There was a time when placing an ad in the Yellow Pages was enough to get new patients. Today, 97% of people search for local businesses online, and Google dominates those searches.
💸 2. Free Traffic
Advertising is still one of the biggest expenses for many small practices. But by improving your Google ranking, you get a steady stream of free traffic that can convert into paying patients.
⚡ 3. Faster Results Than National Brands
While national brands wait 6–12 months to climb Google’s ranks, you have a huge advantage. You're only competing with local surgeons — not nationwide. Many of your competitors haven’t even started leveraging local SEO. With a targeted campaign, you could reach Google’s first page in as little as 30 days.
Step 1: Identify Your Keywords
The first step in your local SEO campaign is simple: make a list of keywords that describe your services (e.g., cosmetic surgery, tummy tuck, facelift).
Then, create a free Google Ads account.
You don’t need to run an ad campaign — the goal is to access the Google Keyword Planner, which shows search volume and suggests additional keywords.
From there, group your keywords into two types:
🔎 Purchase Intent Keywords
These indicate a person is ready to book. For example, “breast reduction in New Orleans” signals strong buying intent. These keywords should be used on your homepage and service pages for faster results.
📚 Research Intent Keywords
These are for people still gathering information (e.g., “non-surgical rhinoplasty”). They’re not ready to commit — yet. Use these in blogs, FAQs, and educational content to build trust early.
Step 2: Optimize Your Keywords
Once you have your final keyword list, it’s time to optimize two areas:
✅ Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business)
Think of this as your mini-website that appears in the "Map Pack" of Google results — an essential tool for visibility and local ranking.
Make sure your profile is complete and accurate:
- Verification: Claim your listing and go through Google’s verification process.
- NAP Consistency: Your Name, Address, and Phone Number must match exactly across the web. Use a local phone number — not a 1-800.
- Categories: Focus on services, not outcomes. Use Plastic Surgeon, plus services like Laser Hair Removal or Medical Spa. Aim for 3–5 categories.
- Description: Write 100–200 words about your practice and end with a call to action. Example:
Dr. Smith Aesthetics offers expert cosmetic surgery and laser services in Miami, Florida. With decades of experience and award-winning care, our team helps patients feel confident and radiant. Call (555) 123-4567 for your free consultation today. - Hours: Make sure your hours are consistent across all directories.
- Photos: Add high-quality images of your staff, clinic, and (with permission) satisfied patients. Replace Google’s default cover with a branded image (720px x 720px minimum).
✅ Website Optimization
Start with your homepage and core service pages (for high-intent keywords). Then optimize content pages like blog posts and FAQs (for research-intent keywords).
Tips for your homepage:
- Title Tag: 50–65 characters. Example: Plastic Surgeon in Miami | Dr. Smith Aesthetics
- Meta Description: 100–150 characters. Example: Dr. Smith offers premium plastic surgery & med spa services in Miami. Call (555) 123-4567 to schedule your consultation today.
- H1 Heading: Include your primary keyword. Example: Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon in Miami, FL
- Page Body: Write 500–1000 words. Explain who you are, highlight services, include social proof, and end with a clear CTA.
Each main procedure should have its own SEO-optimized page, structured just like the homepage.
Step 3: Build Citations and Backlinks
With your website and profile in place, it’s time to increase your authority online.
📍 Citations
These are online directories that include your NAP. Examples include:
- National directories: Yelp, YellowPages, Facebook
- Local directories: Chamber of Commerce
- Medical directories: Healthgrades, RealSelf
Ensure perfect consistency across all listings. Use Google Analytics to determine which directories drive traffic before paying for premium listings.
🔗 Backlinks
Google favors websites linked by other reputable sources. Start building relationships with complementary businesses — dermatologists, OB/GYNs, fitness centers — and propose link swaps or guest posts.
Use Moz Open Site Explorer or similar tools to see where competitors are getting their backlinks.
Step 4: Collect Reviews
Patient reviews serve two purposes:
- Convince potential patients to trust you
- Tell Google your clinic is reputable
Focus first on Google reviews — they carry the most weight.
Send follow-up emails to happy patients with a direct link to your Google Business Profile and politely ask for a review.
Tip: Make it part of your post-op communication workflow.
Step 5: Track Your Results
To know what’s working (and what’s not), you need to track 3 key metrics:
📈 1. Rankings
Google personalizes search results based on browsing history. Use a neutral tool like Google Search Console or RankRanger to get accurate, real-time ranking data for both your website and your Google Business Profile.
🌐 2. Website Traffic
Use Google Analytics to track how many people visit your site, what pages they land on, and where they come from (organic search, social media, etc.). Monitor monthly for long-term trends.
🧭 3. Conversions
Conversions are actions you want leads to take — such as scheduling a consultation.
Set up goal tracking in Google Analytics to monitor:
- Phone calls
- Form submissions
- Top-performing service pages
- Drop-off points
🎯 Ready to Get Started?
📥 Download Your Google Maps SEO Guide for Plastic Surgeons
Now you understand why a complete local SEO campaign is essential to attracting more qualified patients to your plastic surgery practice.
At MENTEDIGITAL, we specialize in helping plastic surgeons dominate local search results and attract more high-value patients through Google.
👉 Contact us for a free custom SEO quote and strategy plan. Let’s grow your practice, together.
