You are probably well aware by now that lots of chiropractors are doing all they can to push their website up in the search engines, because they realize that consumers these days prefer the convenience and speed of the internet over the cumbersome, old Yellow Pages to research businesses they plan to visit.  If you ignore this, you’ve missed the train.

I’ve been following the evolution of Google for over ten years, studying the different services it offers to business owners.  AdWords, which is Google’s “classified ads” service is a great way to get immediate exposure (as in within five minutes of setting up your ad) for your business.  Bid high enough, and have a good enough site and you can put your business at the very top of the search results page for various keywords; primarily (your city) chiropractor.  If you opt in to my email list in the bar below, you can get a free copy of my Google AdWords for Chiropractors ebook.  It reveals the tricks to make an AdWords campaign that will outrank your competitors.

But now, Google Local Business listings is getting a lot of attention and causing a lot of dismay and gnashing of teeth among chiropractors (and other local small businesses).  Whenever anyone types in a keyword that Google identifies as a business, it will take note of that person’s computer IP address (physical location) and will show a map of business listings close to that location.  It usually shows seven businesses at the top (SEO people call this the “seven box”), under the top AdWords listings.  Here is a snapshot of the GBL  7-box for the search term “San Francisco chiropractors” (one doesn’t need to type in the city for the GBL 7-box to show):

It’s frustrating because it is not known how Google selects which businesses get to appear in the 7-box.  The best you can do is create a good listing:  describe your services well, include your hours, upload pictures and videos, etc.  I thought that the number of reviews may play a part, but if you look closely at the snapshot above, you have a business with 46 reviews, and one with one review.  If your business listing is buried in page 3 or more, you can forget about being seen.

One thing that I believe can hurt you is if you post multiple listings for your location; for example one under your clinic name, and one under your own name.  Google may see this as trying to “game the system.”  I have three businesses within my suite (I sublease some of my space), so the other businesses have their own GBL with the same address.  I believe it is for this reason that my GBL never shows in the seven-box.  Google wrongly thinks I’m trying to cheat the system.

So, if you haven’t created a Google Local Business Listing for you clinic, make sure to do it now, and cross your fingers!

Dr. Dan

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