The Ultimate SEO Checklist for Perth-Based Dentists and Doctors

Let’s face it—if your dental or medical practice isn’t visible online, it might as well be invisible. In a city like Perth, where healthcare is competitive and patient trust is everything, your online presence can either open the floodgates to new appointments or leave you twiddling your thumbs while your competitors fill their waiting rooms.

But here’s the problem: most medical professionals know they need to do SEO but have no clue where to start—or worse, they try generic tactics that don’t work for local, health-focused businesses. That’s where this checklist comes in.

This isn’t just another SEO blog packed with vague tips. This is your practical, Perth-specific guide built exclusively for dentists and doctors who are ready to dominate local search results, outrank the clinic down the road, and become the go-to name in their suburb.

So buckle in—we’re about to unpack the strategies that actually move the needle. And yes, you’ll finally understand what “Local SEO” actually means.

Understanding the Basics of Local SEO

What is Local SEO?

Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the art and science of making your business more visible in local search results on Google and other search engines. Think of it as your digital shopfront that tells Google, “Hey, I’m a trusted, local healthcare provider, and I’m right here in Perth.”

When someone types “best dentist near me” or “GP in Leederville,” local SEO determines which clinics show up at the top—and which are buried on page three (where no one looks).

It goes beyond just keywords. It includes how your clinic is listed online, what kind of reviews you have, how quickly your site loads, and whether Google believes your website is trustworthy and relevant to a local audience.

Why Local SEO is Crucial for Medical Professionals in Perth

Let’s get one thing straight: your competition isn’t just the other clinic down the street—it’s every local healthcare provider with a better online presence. And in a city like Perth, where people often search for nearby services, local SEO is not optional—it’s critical.

Here’s why it matters:

1. 70%+ of patients search online before booking a healthcare appointment. If you’re not showing up, you’re not even in the running.
   
   

2. Google’s “local pack” listings (the map and top 3 results) get the majority of clicks. SEO puts you there.
   
   

3. Mobile-first searches dominate. Patients looking for a clinic on their phone want answers fast—and Google rewards practices with solid local SEO.

For Perth-based practices, this means optimizing for specific suburbs (Subiaco, Fremantle, Joondalup) and ensuring your online presence reflects your geographic relevance. Being a great doctor or dentist is just the start—being found is how you grow.

On-Page SEO Essentials for Your Website

1. Optimize Your Website Structure

A sleek, organized website isn’t just pretty—it’s powerful. When search engines crawl your site, they need clear paths and properly labeled content to understand what you offer and where you offer it.

Here’s what to focus on:

1. Logical navigation – Group your pages into intuitive categories like “Services,” “About Us,” “Contact,” etc.
   
   

2. Internal linking – Make sure important pages (like service pages and blog posts) link to one another naturally.
   
   

3. Mobile responsiveness – More than half of searches happen on mobile devices. If your site’s clunky on phones, it’ll cost you rankings—and patients.

Think of your website structure like a clean, well-labeled clinic—it should be easy to navigate, and everything should have its place.

2. Use Location-Specific Keywords

Keywords are how people find you online, but “dentist” is not enough. In Perth, someone searching “emergency dentist in Cannington” has a specific intent—and you need to match it.

Actionable steps:

1. Use city and suburb names in your titles, headers, and meta descriptions.

2. Include variations like “Perth dentist,” “cosmetic dentist in South Perth,” or “bulk billing GP in Morley.”

3. Don’t forget conversational queries like “best GP near Leederville.” These mimic how people search.

By targeting localized keywords, you speak directly to your future patients—and Google listens.

3. Craft Unique Service Pages

Don’t cram all your services onto one generic page. Instead, create separate, keyword-rich pages for each major service you offer.

Why it matters:

1. It allows you to rank for each service individually.

2. Patients searching for specific treatments (e.g. “Invisalign in Perth” or “Skin cancer checks in Mount Lawley”) are more likely to land on the exact page they need.

3. It improves user experience and shows professionalism.

Each page should include: clear descriptions, treatment benefits, your local expertise, and a strong call-to-action (CTA) like “Book Now” or “Contact Us.”

Google Business Profile Optimization

1. Set Up or Claim Your Profile

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is the backbone of your local SEO. If you haven’t claimed yours yet, you’re giving away valuable visibility to your competitors.

Steps:

1. Go to google.com/business and claim or create your listing.

2. Use your real business name—no keyword stuffing.

3. Choose the most accurate category (e.g., Dentist, General Practitioner).

Without this profile, you won’t show up in the map pack, which means fewer phone calls, clicks, and foot traffic.

2. Add Complete and Accurate Information

Accuracy builds trust—with both users and search engines. Your profile should include:

1. Correct clinic name, address, and phone number (NAP)

2. Business hours (including holiday updates)

3. Description of your practice, services, and areas served

4. High-quality photos of your clinic and staff

Bonus tip: Add your booking link if available to drive direct conversions.

3. Encourage and Manage Reviews

Online reviews are your digital word-of-mouth—and patients do read them. The more positive, local, and relevant reviews you have, the higher your chances of ranking.

How to get them:

1. Ask satisfied patients to leave reviews (email follow-ups work wonders).

2. Respond to all reviews—good and bad—with professionalism.

3. Never post fake reviews. It’s unethical and easily penalized.

Consistent engagement signals to Google (and patients) that you're active, responsive, and trustworthy.

Local Listings and Online Directories

1. Get Listed on Reputable Platforms

Beyond Google, your practice should be listed on popular Australian healthcare directories like:

1. Healthshare

2. HotDoc

3. Whitecoat

4. Yellow Pages

5. True Local

These listings expand your digital footprint and increase trustworthiness.

Make sure each listing includes your exact clinic name, services, and location.

2. Ensure NAP Consistency

NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone Number. Consistency across all platforms—including your website, Google Business Profile, and directories—is non-negotiable.

Inconsistencies can confuse both Google and potential patients, leading to lower rankings and lost business.

Checklist:

1. Double-check your details across every listing.

2. Use the same formatting everywhere (e.g., “St.” vs. “Street” should be consistent).

3. Update information immediately if anything changes.

Content Marketing for Local Authority

1. Start a Blog with Local Health Topics

A blog isn’t just a place to dump updates—it’s a patient education hub and SEO goldmine.

For example:

1. “Top 5 Causes of Tooth Sensitivity in Perth’s Climate”

2. “What to Do If You Need a GP on a Public Holiday in WA”

3. “Flu Season in Perth: How to Prepare Your Family”

These posts drive long-term traffic, improve engagement, and establish you as an authority in your field and your community.

2. Publish FAQs and Patient Guides

People search for answers—and if your site provides them, you win both clicks and trust.

Ideas include:

1. Pre-appointment checklists

2. Insurance and billing guides

3. Post-treatment care instructions

4. “New Patient” guides with parking info and clinic protocols

Helpful content not only improves SEO but also reduces no-shows, confusion, and admin calls.

Technical SEO for Healthcare Websites

1. Use Schema Markup for Medical Services

Schema markup is code you add to your website to help search engines understand what your content means—not just what it says.

For healthcare sites, this can include:

1. Business type

2. Services offered

3. Location

4. Operating hours

5. Reviews and ratings

This boosts your chances of appearing in rich snippets (like star ratings and “Book Now” buttons), which can dramatically improve click-through rates.

2. Ensure HTTPS and Site Security

Security isn’t just for online stores. Healthcare websites handle sensitive information, so site security is crucial—for both compliance and rankings.

Must-dos:

1. Use HTTPS (a secure SSL certificate) across your entire site.

2. Ensure all contact forms are encrypted.

3. Regularly update plugins and platforms to patch vulnerabilities.

Google actively penalizes insecure sites, and patients are more likely to bounce from a site that feels untrustworthy.

Building Local Backlinks

Backlinks are one of the most powerful—and misunderstood—ranking factors in SEO. Think of them as digital referrals: when another reputable website links to your site, it tells Google, “Hey, this clinic knows what they’re doing.” But for local SEO, not just any backlink will do. You want quality links from local sources. That’s where the magic happens.

1. Partner with Local Perth Organizations

Here’s a truth most local businesses overlook: Perth is full of collaboration opportunities hiding in plain sight. Community events, charities, schools, sports clubs, wellness expos—these are all backlink goldmines waiting to be tapped.

Here’s how to leverage them:

1. Sponsor local events or community programs. Think beyond health—look at school sports carnivals or community clean-up drives. Most sponsorships come with a backlink from the event page.
   
   

2. Get involved with local chambers of commerce or business networks. They often list and link to members.
   
   

3. Support or collaborate with local non-profits. Offer a free dental check-up day or wellness talk—they’ll usually mention you on their website.
   
   

Backlinks from real local organizations not only boost your SEO but cement your place in the Perth community. You become the name people see and trust.

2. Guest Posts on Perth Health Websites

Guest posting isn’t dead. It’s just evolved. Especially in healthcare, where expertise matters, writing valuable content for other relevant local sites is a smart, trust-building move.

Where to start:

1. Reach out to local health blogs or wellness platforms like WA-based naturopathy sites, parenting forums, or fitness communities. Offer to write about oral hygiene for kids, flu season tips, or skin care under Perth’s intense sun.
   
   

2. Collaborate with allied professionals. Are you a GP? Write a blog for a local physio’s site about common injuries. A dentist? Team up with a nutritionist to discuss sugar and tooth decay.
   
   

3. Pitch stories to Perth-based digital magazines or lifestyle platforms. They’re always looking for local expert commentary.

Keep the content genuinely useful, locally focused, and avoid hard-selling your clinic. Let your knowledge do the marketing for you.

Social Media Integration

Social media may not directly boost your SEO rankings—but it massively amplifies your online presence, drives traffic, and builds credibility with real people (and Google notices that).

1. Connect Your Website to Social Channels

Your website should be seamlessly connected to your social media channels—and vice versa. Why? Because the patient journey often bounces between them.

What to do:

1. Add social icons to your site header or footer. Make it easy for patients to find you on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or TikTok.
   
   

2. Embed your Instagram feed or Facebook reviews on your website. This provides social proof and keeps content fresh.
   
   

3. Include website links in your social bios and posts. Drive traffic back to your site for bookings, blogs, or service info.

Remember: your website builds trust, and your social channels build relationships. Together, they create a seamless, human digital brand.

2. Leverage Local Hashtags and Trends

Generic hashtags are boring. Local ones are targeted gold.

For example:

• Instead of just #dentalcare, use #PerthDentist or #FreoSmile.

• For health awareness weeks, localise your posts: #MensHealthWeekPerth or #BackToSchoolWA.

• Use suburb-specific tags: #MountLawleyLife, #SouthPerthHealth, #ClaremontClinic

Also, jump on local trends—weather, events, festivals—and relate them to health in clever, helpful ways. For instance: “Heading to Fringe World? Here’s how to stay hydrated (and protect your teeth from too much popcorn).”

Social media lets you be informative and personable. That combo is what builds trust and engagement.

Tracking and Continuous Improvement

SEO is not a one-and-done deal. It’s an ongoing relationship with your audience, Google, and the digital landscape. What works today might not work six months from now—and that’s okay. What matters is that you measure, learn, and adapt.

1. Use Google Analytics and Search Console

You can’t fix what you don’t track. These two free tools are your behind-the-scenes powerhouse duo:

1. Google Analytics tells you how users interact with your site—how long they stay, which pages they visit, what device they use, and more.
   
   

2. Google Search Console shows how your site appears in search results—what queries you rank for, which pages are clicked, and whether Google sees any issues with your site.

Look for:

• Which service pages perform well—and which don’t.

• What local keywords bring traffic.

• Where people drop off your site (and why).

Use this data to shape future content, adjust keywords, and fix technical problems before they hurt your rankings.

2. Regularly Audit and Update Content

The internet has a short memory. What ranked last year may now be outdated or less relevant. That’s why routine content audits are non-negotiable.

Tips for ongoing improvement:

1. Refresh old blog posts with updated statistics, FAQs, or local references.

2. Fix broken links or outdated service descriptions.

3. Add new local keywords or service areas as your clinic expands.

4. Ensure loading speed and mobile usability remain optimal.

Run a quick audit every 3-6 months. And schedule a deeper SEO review annually. This keeps your site agile, relevant, and competitive.

Conclusion

Being a top-rated dentist or doctor in Perth takes more than clinical excellence—it requires a strong, smart digital presence that attracts, engages, and converts local patients. This SEO checklist is your roadmap.

From optimising your website and leveraging your Google Business Profile to building authentic backlinks and riding the wave of local trends, you now have a practical, Perth-tailored strategy. No more guessing. No more waiting for referrals. This is how modern clinics grow—with intention, visibility, and digital trust.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to begin, working with an experienced SEO company in Perth Australia can help you skip the guesswork and fast-track your results. The right partner understands the local market, healthcare regulations, and search trends unique to Western Australia.

Remember: great SEO doesn’t feel like marketing. It feels like being found by the right person at the right time. And in a city like Perth, with a savvy and mobile-first audience, showing up isn’t optional—it’s vital.

Use this checklist. Update it every quarter. Watch your rankings rise and your appointment book fill.

FAQs

1. How often should I update my website content for SEO?

Every 3–6 months is ideal. Refresh service pages annually and review blog content quarterly. Google loves fresh, relevant content—and so do your patients.

2. Is Google Business Profile really that important?

Absolutely. It’s often the first impression patients get of your clinic. A fully optimized profile can drive phone calls, bookings, and reviews before they even visit your site.

3. I’m just starting out. Do I need all of this?

 Start simple. Focus on your website, Google Business Profile, and local directories first. Build from there. It’s a marathon, not a sprint—but every step helps.

4. Can I do SEO myself or should I hire someone?

Basic SEO? You can handle it. But for long-term growth and complex strategies (like technical SEO or link-building), hiring an expert can save time and deliver results faster.

5. How long does it take to see SEO results?

Typically, 3–6 months for noticeable movement—faster in less competitive suburbs, slower in densely packed areas. Consistency is key.

6. Do reviews really affect my rankings? 

Yes. Not only do reviews build trust with potential patients, but Google factors them into local rankings—especially their volume, frequency, and quality.