A need for local search engine optimization for addiction treatment centers

Addiction treatment centers are centered on helping those in need overcome their disease. However, this is often easier said than done. The problem lies in marketing; because addiction treatment centers exist to help a very select group of people — and a group that is, hopefully, shrinking by the moment — their marketing efforts are often overlooked. No one writes down an addiction treatment center’s phone number and thinks, “Oh, I may need this later.” When someone seeks out a treatment center, they do it because they recognize a need within themselves or in a loved one. And they usually find these centers through the Internet, which makes search engine optimization vitally important for these facilities. While many treatment centers understand the need for optimization, they overlook the importance of local search engine optimization.

Local search marketing for addiction treatment centers is a vitally important aspect of their service. If a loved one approaches you and asks for help overcoming their addiction, your first step will be to find a place where they can get the proper care. However, if none of the treatment centers in your area are properly optimized for local searches, imagine how difficult it would be to find them.

Optimizing for Local Searches

Local search engine optimization isn’t very different from optimizing for global searches. Here’s how to do it properly.
Claim a business page.
Google has a “Claim My Business” section that local businesses can go to and fill out their information. These helps Google ensure the information is correct across all mediums. When setting the page up, a unique description will be needed. The addiction treatment center will need to be categorized properly, given a phone number browsers can reach it at, and the operational hours should be included.

Ensure the treatment center’s website reflects the same information.

The treatment center should have a “Contact” page where visitors can find the hours of operation, how to reach the center’s representatives, and the address for the facility. This information should be exactly the same on the contact page as it is on Google’s business page. This helps to ensure proper local searches.

Include on-page SEO data.
Search engine optimization is all about appearing in results for specific keyword phrases. For a local addiction treatment center, this will likely be the city and state the center is located in, as well as relevant words such as ‘drug addiction,’ ‘treatment,’ and others. These key phrases should be included in header tags, in the URL, within on-page content, and in image meta data. This provides the website the best chance of being found through local searches, and makes it easier for those in need to find the facility they are looking for.

Link building is important.

Most businesses understand the importance of backlinks to their website. However, it also plays an important role in local search engine optimization. A feature in a newspaper’s website, the local chamber of commerce, and other local businesses that link back to another can be just the thing to propel an addiction treatment center to proper optimization. Classic methods of link building work, as well; seek out directories that compile lists of treatment centers and request to be listed inside them.

Marketing Campaigns

Running a local marketing campaign can increase the amount of traffic to an addiction treatment center’s website, which will increase its visibility within search engines. A simple billboard can be just the trick, but radio and television spots are also effective. Flyers and brochures placed within doctor’s offices and other locations where they might gain visibility are also good options.

The key is remembering that addiction treatment centers are primarily meant to help those in need, rather than earn a profit. Marketing for nonprofit organizations can be difficult, but keeping all of the information up to date online and offline makes it easier for those who need to find a treatment center. Due diligence will bring the web traffic.

If you’re in charge of an addiction treatment enter that needs help with marketing, search out local SEO agencies within your area that can help you achieve the results you need to provide the best services possible to your area.