podiatry seo experts
Actionable steps podiatrists can implement today to increase local search visibility, attract more patients and book appointments.
This guide focuses on local SEO, website fixes, patient-focused content and simple paid strategies. No jargon — just clear tasks you can follow or hand to your clinic manager.
Why SEO matters for podiatrists
Patients search symptoms, conditions and local clinics. When your clinic appears at the top, you get more calls and bookings without ongoing ad costs. Local SEO + clear service pages is the highest-value marketing for clinics.
Real patient search behaviour
- 55% of patients start with a Google search for symptoms or "podiatrist near me".
- Top 3 local listings capture most calls — you want to be there.
- Ranking for service + suburb (e.g. "heel pain Sydney") drives high-intent traffic.
On-page SEO checklist — do these first
1. Page titles & meta descriptions
Write unique titles and descriptions for each page using the primary keyword and location.
- Format: Podiatrist [Primary Service] — [Suburb] | Clinic Name
- Meta tip: Keep title ≤60 chars, meta description ≤155 chars, include call to action (Call/Book).
2. Headings & content structure
Use H1 for the main topic, H2s for sections and short paragraphs aimed at patients.
- H1: one per page — include service + location if possible.
- H2s: symptoms, treatment, what to expect, FAQs, call to action.
3. Service pages that convert
Create a separate page for each high-value service (e.g. ingrown nails, plantar fasciitis).
- Describe symptoms and causes (patient language).
- Explain the clinic’s approach and expected outcomes.
- Include pricing or common fees where appropriate.
- Add a clear booking CTA and phone number at top and bottom.
4. Images & alt text
Use clinic photos, treatment images and add descriptive alt text with keywords.
- Compress images for speed (JPEG/WEBP).
- Alt text example: "podiatrist treating heel pain in [Suburb]".
Local SEO & Google Business Profile
Local presence wins for clinics. Follow these steps to dominate the local pack.
Google Business Profile (GBP) — checklist
- Claim and verify your GBP listing.
- Set accurate clinic hours, services and contact details.
- Use the primary category "Podiatrist" and add secondary services.
- Upload photos: reception, staff, treatment room, before/after.
- Encourage patients to leave reviews and respond to all reviews within 48 hours.
Citations & directory listings
Consistency of name, address and phone (NAP) across directories improves trust.
- List on HealthEngine, Whitecoat, HotDoc, local council directories and Yellow Pages.
- Ensure NAP exactly matches your website and GBP.
- Fix duplicates — use Google’s "Report duplicate" if needed.
Content strategy: topics that attract patients
Create patient-focused content that answers real questions and ranks for common search terms.
Service pages
- Plantar fasciitis treatment
- Ingrown toenail removal
- Diabetic foot checks
- Orthotics & gait analysis
Blog ideas (short, local)
- Why your heel hurts when you wake up — explanation and treatment
- Top 5 diabetic foot care tips for [Suburb]
- What to expect at your first podiatry appointment
Patient resources
- Downloadable aftercare instructions
- FAQ about referrals and Medicare rebates
- Short videos: exercises and shoe advice
Technical SEO & site performance
Technical problems block ranking. Fix these essentials.
Speed & mobile
- Mobile-first: ensure responsive layout and readable tap targets.
- Use compressed images (WebP) and lazy-loading.
- Target ≤2.5s mobile load on PageSpeed Insights.
Schema & indexing
- Add LocalBusiness schema with address, phone, openingHours and geo coordinates.
- Ensure XML sitemap is submitted to Google Search Console.
- Fix crawl errors reported in Search Console within 7 days.
Secure & accessible
- HTTPS site-wide (SSL) — required for trust and rankings.
- Readable URLs: /services/plantar-fasciitis not /?p=123
- Accessible contact details: phone clickable on mobile.
Technical audit checklist
2. Check Search Console for errors
3. Validate sitemap.xml and robots.txt
4. Verify structured data with Rich Results test
Backlinks, partnerships & reputation
Quality links and local reputation boost authority. Focus on relevance, not volume.
- Get listed on local health directories and GP referral pages.
- Partner with local clinics, gyms or diabetes educators for referral links.
- Publish patient case-studies (with permission) and request linked mentions.
- Maintain review flow: ask satisfied patients to review on Google and HealthEngine.
Paid ads basics for clinics
Paid search and social can fill schedule gaps fast. Use them for high-intent services and new patient promotions.
Google Search Ads
- Target keywords like "podiatrist near me", "foot pain [Suburb]".
- Use location targeting with call-only or appointment extensions.
- Measure Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) — aim for break-even on first appointment revenue.
Facebook & Instagram
- Use short video ads showing clinic and staff to build trust.
- Target local audiences, age groups and interests (e.g. runners, diabetes groups).
- Drive to a specific landing page with a clear booking CTA.
Convert visitors into patients
Clear booking CTA
Phone and booking button visible on every page — top-right and sticky on mobile.
Trust signals
Show clinician credentials, memberships, patient reviews and before/after photos.
Fast contact options
Click-to-call, SMS booking link and online booking widget (HotDoc/HealthEngine) improve conversions.
Tracking & KPIs — what to measure
Track the actions that equal patients, not just visits.
- Phone calls (use call tracking numbers for ad campaigns).
- Online bookings and form submissions.
- Google Business Profile views and direction requests.
- Top-performing pages that lead to bookings.
Set a baseline
Record current calls/bookings per week. After SEO changes, compare 30/60/90 day results.
Monthly report
Create a short monthly dashboard: sessions, top pages, calls, bookings, GBP views.
Your 30-day SEO plan (practical)
- Week 1: Claim GBP, fix NAP, quick on-page fixes (titles, H1, phone).
- Week 2: Create/optimize 3 priority service pages and add schema LocalBusiness.
- Week 3: Start 4 local blog posts answering common patient questions; request 10 reviews.
- Week 4: Run a technical audit, fix speed issues, set up tracking and create a one-page ad landing page.
Frequently asked questions
How long until SEO brings more patients?
Should I blog or focus on service pages?
Do reviews really affect rankings?
Start improving patient leads this month
If you want help implementing these steps, see how a clinic-first website and local SEO plan can drive bookings and calls.
No technical knowledge required — many clinics update their site and GBP in minutes.
