SEO: The Backbone of your Chiropractic Marketing Strategy

Alright, chiropractors! If you’re not getting enough patients through your door, it might be time to adjust your marketing strategy. But what is the best marketing tool?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is foundational to all other chiropractic marketing tools. Learn about it in terms that make sense and why it matters it from someone with years of chiropractic practice management and marketing agency experience. 

Why should I focus on SEO?

In today’s world, it is crucial ensure your practice shows up online. Search engine optimization is how that happens. It is like the backbone of your marketing, and when it’s aligned, all your other marketing tools work better. Did you know that:

• An estimated 55-65% of clicks go to the top 3 search results.

• Another 15-25% of clicks go to positions 4-10.

• Results drop steeply beyond that on page 2+. 

Where do you rank? Have you addressed you SEO yet? Your top competitors have.

What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Marketing?

SEO is a set of activities that help you get noticed by search engines like Google so you show up higher in search results. Think of each activity like a vertebrae. When they're aligned, your online presence sends signals to search engines in a synchronous and holistic way, like a properly functioning nervous system.

Similar to neural connections, a strong SEO plan builds as many pathways to your clinic as possible through strategic keywords. It ties together those focus keywords through:

• On-page activities (like optimizing your website content)

• Off-page actions like building backlinks

• Technical SEO like improving your site speed and health

These different pieces work together, helping search engines understand what your clinic offers-more importantly, why people should visit you.

When all of your signals align and are firing, search engines know how to respond. They are able to match up the right searchers with your clinic, helping you show up higher in search results for more keywords.

How is Local SEO Different?

Local SEO is all about getting your practice noticed in your own backyard. Its practices differ in some ways from a national SEO focus, much like sport specific training. It’s not just about ranking for “chiropractor” — it’s also about showing up when someone searches for “chiropractor near me” or “best chiropractor in [your city].” 

To nail local SEO, you need a strategy that optimizes your Google Business Profile, keeps your contact info consistent across the web, and racks up some glowing local reviews. If you are working with an agency, make sure they are local SEO experts and they know your industry.

Tip: If your clinic has moved locations, creating a thorough citation strategy is a must!

How Long Does SEO Take?

What kind of results can i expect?

Just like chiropractic care, SEO works best with more frequent adjustments in the beginning, then consistent, ongoing maintenance. It’s a long term, foundational investment.

In the first few months, we expect little progress, if any. But with consistent effort, your online presence will strengthen, showing more results at six months and increasing over time. Businesses that commit to ongoing SEO practices create the kind of foundation that is hard for competitors to shake. 

An important note: SEO results are different than running ads, which are more like turning on the faucet for direct leads. They work well together but SEO results aren't usually so obvious with people who cite “Google” as their referral source. Results remain an important guide, however. We measure them through your keywords ranking, local heat map, and in your organic website traffic.

Can I DIY my SEO instead of Hiring a Marketing Company?

The short answer: You can do a lot of it yourself and have an impact. But is it your best choice?

I did most of it myself while managing a chiropractic practice. My optimistic chiropractor told me to learn how to do it myself vs signing up for a proposed agency plan. Perhaps a bit insane, but she knew me well.  I didn’t know exactly what I was doing but implemented what I could figure out. We had fantastic results over time through consistent efforts in a competitive market. 

For many chiropractors, hiring a marketing company specializing in SEO might be the best move to get results faster without the steep learning curve. Many things can be done in-house but other technical aspects aren’t very realistic. Using a personal training example, many people can learn how to lose weight or get fit. However, to get to an elite level or quicker results, hiring a personal trainer can make all the difference.

Here are questions to ask yourself:

• Do you have what it takes to be consistent? 

• Do you learn and adapt fairly easily with this kind of thing? Is it worth the training curve?

• How much is your time worth vs. working with patients? Or your staff's time if they will be handling it?

• How competitive is your market? What are your competitors doing? 

• What results do you want to achieve?

A Chiropractic SEO Marketing Agency that “Gets It”

I'll be forever grateful to my chiropractor friend who believed in me to tackle her SEO. I am here serving you today because of her faith in me. Our authentic marketing efforts succeeded while marketing agencies kept falling short in conscientiously representing our brand. 

I've learned a lot through clinic work and marketing agencies about how to do SEO better, more personally. I start from where you are and help you strategize in steps that work for you vs. dumping a standard program with a fixed cost on you.

Your business is personal. Your marketing should be too. Whether you need guidance in DIY marketing or want me to manage it for you, lean on my expertise and personalized approach. 

Schedule a free 20-minute consultation here to review your goals and needs. This gives you a chance to decide if you like and trust me while learning along the way!