SEO for Plastic Surgeons: A Complete Overview

In the U.S., cosmetic surgery is on the rise, with over 1.5 million surgical procedures and 25 million minimally invasive procedures in 2023. How can your practice capitalize on this surge in interest while maintaining an excellent reputation? Skillfully using search engine optimization is a must. This guide to SEO for plastic surgeons explains what SEO is and how to use it correctly for high-quality results.

Basics of SEO for Plastic Surgeons

Many business owners have misconceptions about SEO, equating it with mass-produced information or deceptive websites. In reality, professional SEO is exactly the opposite. Search optimization means making your website more attractive to users, potential clients, and search engines. You achieve this with accurate, informative, and helpful content.

SEO Keywords for Cosmetic Surgeons

The first pillar of SEO is keywords. These are descriptive terms that highlight what your web pages or blog articles are about. Search engines such as Google use keywords to find answers to user questions. For example, if someone searches for “How much does plastic surgery cost?” Google would try to find a website with a matching heading or answer.

Here are a few examples of keywords for plastic surgeons:

• Breast augmentation FAQs
• Guide to rhinoplasty
• Are tummy tucks safe
• How to choose a plastic surgeon
• How long does liposuction last

For your website to rank on Google for one of those searches, you would need to include the keywords or similar terms in your content.

Valuable Topics

For plastic surgeons, SEO success requires quality. Search engines want high-value content that satisfies users. Keywords are a good starting point, but they need support from trustworthy information. This means creating authoritative articles that address the topics your customers care about.

Instead of simply including the keyword “Are tummy tucks safe,” in a paragraph, why not create a complete article called “Are Tummy Tucks Safe? 10 Things To Know Before Your Surgery.” You can use the opportunity to share reliable information, suggestions, and answers that put potential patients at ease. The more people read your content, the more Google recognizes your website as an expert it should direct more traffic to.

Why Is SEO Important for Cosmetic Surgeons?

The way people look for professionals has changed significantly in the last few decades. According to Forbes, the majority (63%) of customers check Google reviews before selecting a business, and 50% of local searches (on smartphones) lead to a visit the same day.

If you want to reach new clients, the main avenues are:

• Internet searches
• Social media posts
• Online reviews
• Google Maps
• Word of mouth (e.g., friend and family recommendations)

Following good SEO practices can help you with all five of those avenues. As your search rankings increase, so does your reputation.

How Does SEO Help Plastic Surgery Clinics?

Any plastic surgeon needs to take search rankings seriously. SEO offers at least four benefits:

•  Visibility: The more frequently your website ranks for plastic surgery search terms, the more potential customers recognize your name, like you, and subconsciously prefer your website.
•  Reputation for excellence: High-quality SEO content contributes to a positive opinion of your experience as a surgical professional, persuading page visitors that you’re an expert they can trust.
•  Leads: Before signing up for surgical procedures, patients do research online. Blogs are an excellent way to convince potential customers to contact you.
• Ad savings: Inbound marketing — using SEO to attract people to your website instead of spending money on advertising — costs 60% less and generates four times more contacts.

In contrast to paying for ads, investing in SEO promotes your website for many months or years. High-ranking content shows up every time someone performs a related search, potentially reaching hundreds or thousands of patients.

How Can You Use SEO Effectively?

Like precise surgical tools, SEO needs skilled hands for the best results. You need to use it the right way to impress visitors and reach the top positions on search rankings. True, it takes time to implement the best practices with SEO for cosmetic surgeons, but the results last longer and stand out better from competing websites.

Use a Keyword Analysis Tool

Performing keyword research before creating SEO content helps you use your time wisely. Checking keyword trends shows you which search terms have lots of traffic, how hard they are to rank for, and which related topics to include.

Paid platforms offer more features, but trustworthy companies such as Moz, Ahrefs, and Google also offer free tools. Spending an hour or two on keyword research each month helps you plan upcoming content more effectively.

Be Natural

Use keywords naturally in content. High-quality content can include dozens of keywords without sounding forced. This matters because search engines tend to ignore spammy content, and it turns off human visitors, too.

Get Readers Excited About Your Services

Many physicians use neutral language when describing surgical procedures or treatments. On the other hand, plastic surgeons want to communicate the positive emotions patients can experience after cosmetic procedures. Clients need to visualize the impact of your services on their well-being, self-esteem, and quality of life.

This requires a careful balancing act. Your content must avoid making medical claims, but you also have to get potential clients excited about the possibilities.

Not surprisingly, many cosmetic surgery practices decide to leave content creation to writing professionals. Our team knows how to craft trustworthy and exciting SEO content for plastic surgeons.

Focus on the Needs of Your Clients

One of the most important things to remember about SEO for plastic surgeons is that you’re creating content for people, not computers. Your goal is to attract new customers who need your services.

To accomplish this objective, make sure your web pages and blog articles:

• Anticipate the concerns patients are likely to have
• Answer common questions about your procedures
• Build a good relationship with new clients
• Share helpful tips that show you care about your patients
• Emphasize your authority and expertise
• Highlight your team’s positive qualities and personality

Whether you’re choosing keywords or topics, look for opportunities to make your customers’ lives better. This type of SEO content leads naturally to better search rankings, because it’s what people love.

Beautify Your Social Media Posts

Professional SEO content also supports your social media marketing. Use snippets of your blog articles or guides to power social media posts. Attention-grabbing topics pique interest, driving more traffic to your site and helping you find valuable leads.

Provide an Excellent User Experience

In addition to creating attractive pages about your services, blog articles, guides, and infographics, it’s smart to keep them up to date. Giving content a refresh for accuracy supports better SEO for plastic surgery websites. Update your most important content every few years.

Another way to make visitors happy (ergo improving SEO) is to improve the site’s layout. A streamlined structure helps people find the information they need ASAP.

You should have a main section for your services, your portfolio/testimonials, and your blog. Some plastic surgeons also have a section explaining different procedures. Create subpages for each service, such as breast lift, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, and eyelid surgery.

What Is Local SEO for Plastic Surgeons?

Local SEO is a specialized type of search optimization that helps you connect with a local audience. It uses a combination of geographical keywords, location pages on your website, and Google Business data to help you rank for area-based searches.

Examples of Local SEO Keywords

Unless clients are willing to travel for cosmetic surgery at a high-profile clinic, most are likely to perform local searches for plastic surgeons. They may use keyword phrases such as:

• Best plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, CA
• Where to get a rhinoplasty in Denver
• Cost of tummy tuck surgery in Miami, FL
• Plastic surgery in NYC
• Top-rated breast augmentation clinics in CA

These keywords tell Google to look at websites with a nearby location that meet the criteria. With local SEO, your website may rank higher than it normally would because of location.

Incredible Local SEO Statistics

For many plastic surgeons, local search is much more than an afterthought. If your main clients live in the area, local SEO should be a major focus:

• Nearly half of all Google searches are local searches.
• About 80% of local customers look for businesses online.
• Almost 20% of local searchers on mobile have purchasing intent.

Customers are 50% more likely to buy from, 70% more likely to visit, and 170% more likely to trust a business with a Google Maps profile. It pays to use local search terms.

Invest in High-Quality SEO Solutions for Plastic Surgeons

Great SEO and amazing content are two peas in a pod. Your customers want trustworthy information, and Google knows it. Investing in phenomenal web pages, blog articles, and local SEO helps you build a fantastic website that turns heads online.

At BKA Content, we have extensive experience with SEO content for plastic surgeons. We can manage the entire SEO process for your website, deliver beautiful content, or provide consulting services to boost your in-house efforts. Transform your website right away.