By Anna L. Davies

If you’re looking for ways to generate new patients for your dental practice by using Google, you may have heard of Google Ads. Google Pay-Per-Click (PPC) is a simple method for your practice website to appear when a prospective patient searches and convert them into a valuable patient.

What is Google PPC Advertising and How Does it Work?

Google Ads are based around keywords that businesses bid on so they can show up at the top of a search result. Whoever bids the most money for key phrases will show up as the first result (up to four results are shown) with the small “Ad” indication. Every time one of these ads are clicked on Google’s Search Engine Results Page (SERP), the business pays a preset fee.

For example, a dental practice may use the phrase “Family Dentist” so they can show up as the first result when a patient searches for “Family dentist Tallahassee Florida.”

Google Advertising is a form of pull marketing, which means that Google Ads target patients with a goal in mind who are trying to find a certain service or product. It is also conversion-driven, meaning that the end goal is to “convert” searchers from potential patients to actual paying patients. As such, you can theme your Google Ads around services or a general goal.

Do My Google Ads Appear Anywhere Else?

Along with showing up on the SERP, your Google Ads can also show up in the Google Map results. Your Google Business Profile will show up as one of the first three results.

Why Does My Practice Need Google PPC?

PPC advertising gets you in front of the patients you want because you can build a unique audience based on demographics, along with specific geographical areas you want to target.

Do Google Ads Work for Dentists?

Google Advertising is one of the most effective ways to reach your potential patients at the exact moment they are searching for certain keywords.

How Do I Get Started with Google PPC?

Work with your marketing partner to discuss your PPC goals. A few factors to consider when building your strategy are:

• Services that generate revenue for your practice.
• Services you’d like to promote.
• What kind of patients you’d like to target.

Establishing a Sustainable Budget

Dentists that invest a minimum of $1,500 per monthly ad campaign see more calls, contact forms and scheduled appointments. Data will show that prospective patients are consistently searching for keywords related to dentistry at all hours of the day. The higher the budget you set, the more clicks you will receive.

Written by Anna L. Davies, digital marketing specialist at Whiteboard Marketing, with assistance from Michelle Yeauger, pay-per-click specialist. Whiteboard Marketing is a national digital dental marketing agency that provides data-driven solutions to help grow your practice. Schedule a consultation call with us to get started, and sign up for our monthly newsletter for more marketing tips.