It’s funny, but most people scour through the internet for medical information before deciding that they need to see an actual doctor. Around 7% of all Google searches are health-related. This equates to about 1 billion health queries daily.
The increasing reliance on the internet for medical advice is a great opportunity for healthcare companies to connect online searches with real-world care.
But first, you need a proper SEO strategy. Today, we’ll cover the basics of healthcare SEO and explore all sorts of ways you can establish your site as a reliable source of information and care.
How Does SEO Apply to Doctors?
In our current socioeconomic state, people heavily rely on search engines to make decisions about their health. So, in a way, doctors are becoming invisible. Investing in healthcare SEO makes sure that doctors remain accessible and relevant in their specialized fields.
Doctors and hospitals have traditionally relied on word-of-mouth referrals and reputation to get credibility. But now, a quick Google search can determine the course of a person’s health journey, and there are thousands of paid referrals. This is when users experience information overload.
The internet is rife with questionable health advice. With healthcare SEO, medical professionals can put an end to this trend. By filtering out misleading content, SEO helps make sure that everyone has access to the knowledge they need (course of treatment, recovery time, etc.)
A gynecologist, for example, might write an article debunking myths about menstrual health, which not only educates the reader but also builds a foundation of trust.
Medical SEO is less about marketing and more about meeting patients in some of their most vulnerable moments. When someone searches online for symptoms or nearby doctors, it’s because they’re often worried, confused, or even scared.
Showing them a list of clinics won’t help to calm them down. They’re looking for reassurance, for answers, for someone who can help. Every medical provider should have a Google My Business account for this reason. It makes them more approachable.
By appearing at the top of search results with thoughtful, easy-to-understand content, doctors can be the first comforting voice to offer guidance and a sense of calm. That’s why SEO is the new word of mouth. It’s even better because you’re reaching people who are actively looking for your services.
Types of Healthcare Sectors in Bangladesh
The healthcare industry in Bangladesh has various sectors that cater to the needs of the overall population. Broadly speaking, these categories can be broken down into B2C (business-to-consumer), B2B (business-to-business), and other specialized sectors.
Diagnostic Centers and Pathology Labs
Diagnostic centers work alongside hospitals and clinics. SEO makes sure that diagnostic centers are visible to both patients and healthcare providers looking for partnerships.
- For B2C: Optimize for queries like “affordable blood test near me.”
- For B2B: Target keywords like “best diagnostic equipment suppliers in Dhaka.”
Pharmaceutical Agencies
Pharma companies use SEO to reach doctors, hospitals, and consumers.
- For B2B: Use SEO to highlight product reliability through white papers or case studies (e.g., “trusted suppliers of antibiotics in Bangladesh”).
- For B2C: Rank for consumer-oriented queries like “best multivitamins for immunity” or “side effects of common painkillers.”
Training and Education
Medical colleges, nursing schools, and training institutes fall under this category. They work with hospitals and organizations to upskill healthcare professionals.
SEO helps aspiring students choose the best nursing course for them. Rank for queries like “top nursing schools in Bangladesh” or “online medical training courses.”
Public Health Sector
This sector includes government hospitals, health campaigns, and NGOs working in areas like maternal health, immunization, and rural healthcare.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, SEO brought in new search result panels displaying real-time data from WHO and other trusted sources. People started searching a lot more for health-related topics. Thus helping everyone make informed decisions.
Telemedicine
With the rise of digital technology, telemedicine platforms are becoming increasingly popular. Platforms like CMED Health, Shasthya Seba, and Milvik Bangladesh Ltd can be seen as successful case studies. They connect patients directly with doctors (B2C) or collaborate with healthcare institutions (B2B).
E-commerce Platforms
Online pharmacies and healthcare e-commerce platforms use SEO to:
- Rank for consumer searches like “buy medicine online in Dhaka.”
- Attract B2B clients with keywords like “wholesale suppliers of medical equipment.”
The Hurdles of Healthcare SEO and How to Combat Them?
The healthcare industry is highly competitive. Big hospitals and small clinics are always trying to outsmart each other, all while balancing the need for trust and accuracy.
People want reliable answers, but Google’s strict medic rules mean only the most authoritative content gets noticed. And don’t forget about the challenges of local SEO, mobile optimization, and limited resources.
Sometimes, it can feel like an uphill battle. But these hurdles aren’t insurmountable. By employing smart strategies, healthcare providers can cut through the noise.
1. Embrace E=E-A-T
Healthcare marketing revolves around content creation. Google scrutinizes any topic that claims to impact people’s health or safety. For this reason, Google prioritizes content with obvious expertise (doctor-approved, science-backed, or peer-reviewed stuff).
E-E-A-T is the abbreviated form of Expertise, Experience, Authority, and Trust. In practice, the highest-ranked medical content is approved by qualified doctors. We could look at WebMD. Each post highlights its medical reviewer.
What’s crazy is that actual healthcare providers do not even write a big chunk of this medical content. Much of it is written by freelancers or even AI-generated.
The trick for writing these is to look up accurate information online and get some doctors to review them. The quotes from these interviews work as proof to support the framework you’re trying to push in your blog.
Medical reviewers should recommend changes where necessary. This typically involves:
- Finding and fixing mistakes like outdated medical terms.
- Adding extra details, such as more information about symptoms or treatments.
- Adjusting the tone to be more neutral, avoiding claims like “best treatment” or “guaranteed to work.”
E-E-A-T strategy works best when you showcase the author’s experience. The most successful medical health websites usually have a dedicated page for the author’s credentials. This includes their photos, field of medical expertise, name, and qualifications.
2. What Keywords Should You Target?
Internationally recognized websites like Healthline or Mayo Clinic have a DR score of 92. Meaning that these companies have a strong grasp on most healthcare SERPs.
A top-three ranking will be impossible for most companies with generic keywords, so you need to be specific. And long-tail keywords are your best option. Instead of just going for “dentist,” go deeper. Try phrases like “pediatric dentist for toddlers in Dhaka.” These terms speak directly to the concerns of your audience.
3. Build Topic Clusters
You know that feeling when you’re deep in a rabbit hole online, and you keep clicking “read more” because everything you want to know is right there?
That’s the magic of topic clusters. Instead of writing one-off articles, build comprehensive, interconnected content that addresses an entire subject from every angle. This builds a habit of interlinking.
If someone is searching for information on diabetes care, don’t just give them a page on “How to know you have diabetes?” Guide them through the journey with pages like “Understanding Type 1 vs Type 2 Diabetes,” “Best Diet for Diabetes Management,” and “How to Monitor Your Blood Sugar.”
This interconnected web of content boosts your SEO. Google’s algorithm prioritizes websites that have an easy navigation process. Your users will also have a good time since all the related articles are just a few clicks away.
4. Get Quality Backlinks
Backlinks are a key component, even in healthcare SEO. See, healthcare is a field that naturally has an upper hand in gaining backlinks. Most healthcare companies maintain a strong relationship with the government, NGOs, and educational institutions.
Usually, .gov or .edu domains tend to have a much higher domain rating (DR). Being linked to these websites will do wonders for your backlink profile. Additionally, you should sign up for listings from directories like medicaldirectorybd.
5. Optimize for Local SEO
Local SEO is vital for healthcare facilities because people are usually looking for doctors or clinics nearby. To make sure your site stands out in local searches, you can implement strategies like:
Setting Up a Google My Business (GMB) Profile
- Make sure every GMB listing is accurate with the healthcare provider’s name, address, phone number (NAP), website, and business hours.
- Add high-quality photos of your facility, staff, and services.
- Encourage satisfied patients to leave positive reviews. But don’t be pushy.
Using Location-Specific Keywords
- Target keywords that include your city or neighborhood, such as “pediatric care in Dhaka” or “emergency clinic near Paribagh.”
- Include these keywords in your website’s titles, meta descriptions, headers, and content.
Creating Locally Relevant Content
- Write blog posts or articles about health topics relevant to your area, such as “Dengue Prevention Tips in Densely Populated Areas like Mohammadpur.”
- Share updates about seasonal health tips or new services at your facility.
6. Medical Schema Markup
Schema markup is a code that guides search engines to go through the contents of your page. Ever wondered why some search results look different? Maybe they include star ratings or extra details that seem helpful right away. That’s schema markup for you.
By marking up your pages with medical-specific schema, you can get search engines to display rich snippets that make your site stand out. Schema markup gives people a sneak peek into your facilities before they even click on your page.
A great way to improve your search rankings is by using physician schema markup. This tool lets Google know that the author is a doctor.
You can also get your hands on other medical-specific schema types:
- MedicalCondition for details about specific conditions
- Drug for information on medications
- MedicalWebPage for pages focused on specific medical topics
End Note
This guide has tried to touch on various aspects of medical SEO. This is still the tip of the iceberg. But we hope it will give you a head start. By investing in local SEO and building trust through E-E-A-T, healthcare facilities in Bangladesh can establish a strong online presence and serve our people better.
At Algomindz, we understand the unique challenges of healthcare marketing and specialize in delivering tailored SEO solutions in Bangladesh. Let us help you connect with your audience and grow your industry.
FAQs
How can healthcare providers in Bangladesh effectively use social media for SEO?
Hospitals and clinics can use social media to interact with each individual. It can be done through comments, reviews, and location-based hashtags. But before that, learn about common digital marketing mistakes. Proper research will help you make informed decisions.
What role does reputation management play in healthcare SEO?
Most people read reviews before consulting a doctor. Reviews increase your social credit. High ratings and active responses to reviews improve visibility in search results. So, maintaining a good reputation is super important.
