Increase Traffic by Setting Up a Google Business Profile

JUMP TO SECTION

Send & Share

In an effort to gain more visibility on Google, it is important to create a Google business listing, known officially as a Business Profile.

It’s important the information about your business that shows up when people search Google is as accurate, complete, and optimized as possible.

It is also a great place where you can interact with your clients and respond to positive and negative reviews. This helps you build trust with potential customers who are reading your reviews.

According to one report, businesses that verify their information via Google Business are twice as likely to have customers view them as reputable and trustworthy. So completing your official business profile reduces uncertainty about your business and encourages people to pick up the phone and engage with your business.

For reference, here is what the IDS profile looks like when you search us in Google:

HOW TO CREATE YOUR GOOGLE BUSINESS LISTING FOR YOUR DENTAL OR MEDICAL OFFICE:

1. Log into the Google Account you want associated with your business (or create a Google Account if you don’t already have one).

2. Go to google.com/business and select “Start now” in the top right-hand corner.

3. Enter your business name.

4. Enter your business address.

5. Choose your business category.

6. Add your business phone number and website.

7. Choose a verification option. Phone or email is the easiest.

Once you’ve verified your business, you need to add as much detail as possible to your profile. Go to the Google My Business dashboard, click the listing you’d like to work on, select “Info,” and then choose a section to fill out or update.

Add additional information such as your logo, photos of your office, your operating hours, and any other information you have available. According to Google, businesses with photos see 35% more clicks to their website and 42% higher requests for driving directions in Google Maps, so make sure you show off your unique office!

You can get more detailed instructions straight from Google.

Check out these related resources for great marketing tips for your office:

Add a Cool Google Office Tour to Make Your Business Page Stand Out

6 Tips to Help You Take Great Photos of Your New Themed Office

Key Strategies to Jump-Start Your Dental Marketing

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your office from a mundane to magical patient experience.

Want more tips for marketing your office? Download the free guide to learn about branding basics, social media tips, ways to improve your online efforts, plus event and promotional ideas.

READ PREVIOUSREAD NEXT

New Children’s Hospital Gets a Little IDS Magic

JUMP TO SECTION

Read the Interview
Send & Share

We’re taking a peek inside the Andalusia Clinics For Kids Wellness, a beautiful multi-level children’s hospital with IDS theming from top to bottom.

Andalusia Clinics For Kids Wellness is a facility for kids offering specialized pediatric clinics offering both dental and medical services, the Autism Wellness Center, education, and fun.

New Children’s Hospital Gets a Little IDS Magic

IDS had the pleasure of theming all four floors of the clinic, creating two play areas, reception areas, extensive murals on every floor, plus decor for the dining hall and mezzanine.

– Mahwish Baber, Operations Director

“We fell in love with the work IDS does the first time we saw it and knew it was perfect for our mission. Our clinic is dedicated to the health and developmental needs of kids. The facility is themed to attract kids and create a sense of well-being from the moment they walk through the doors.”

Hippo mascot at the 1st floor reception desk.

How Theming Has Helped This Clinic

“The theming has helped in every aspect of the clinic. Hiring pediatricians is no longer a challenge – once they set foot in the facility they want to work here because the decor speaks to our philosophy and dedication to helping kids. In terms of marketing, everything we do revolves around the theming. We’ve turned the 3D characters into mascots and even print them on the lab coats to make them look less ‘clinical’. All the photo ops have hashtags. Our promotional videos are so colorful. Not to mention what it has done for the kids.”

“The kids love the theming. The kids that visit us have started referring to the clinic as “The Fun Center” cementing our desire to make this a place of wellness and development, not a place they are forced to visit.”

What Issues Did Theming Solve in This Clinic

“My work on the clinic included research asking parents of children with different needs what was missing in their care to make our clinic more welcoming. After learning that members of the IDS team also have children with varying abilities I knew that they too had insight into what could make the clinic better. Their suggestions were invaluable, such as using silhouette murals within our autism ward, so that children who are uncomfortable with eye contact aren’t surrounded by characters.

“I really connected with my account manager Elizabeth as it was all about the kids, not trying to make a sale. We had the same goal in mind – to create a sense of well-being.”

Get a great tour of the office in their promotional video.

Mahwish Baber is the Operations Director for the Andalusia Clinic for Kid’s Wellness in Saudi Arabia.

Check out the photo gallery of this amazing Children’s hospital in the IDS photo tour gallery.

Interested in learning more about themed environments? Check out these related resources on IDS customers:

See more examples of safari theming here.

See more examples of jungle theming here.

See more examples of underwater theming here.

Hear more great stories of happy IDS customers here.

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your office from a mundane to magical patient experience. Or download our inspiring look book and start imagining the possibilities in your office.

READ PREVIOUSREAD NEXT

How to Create a Unique Dental Experience in 2021 (and Beyond)

JUMP TO SECTION

Send & Share

Uniqueness gets attention. When that uniqueness is intentionally designed to suit your goals, it produces the right kind of attention. That’s why it’s important to consider how to use design to create a one-of-a-kind dental experience for your patients and families.

Your dental practice faces competition so distinguishing yourself from other dental professionals is important. Doing that can and should involve a unique dental experience – including certain features:

Your facility’s physical environment
Your services
Your patient experience around your services.

Innovation at each of those levels helps you create and sustain the brand of atmosphere you desire for your patients. Uniqueness at every level will help you stand out from the competition. Create a memorable patient experience through dental office interior design and decor.

HOW TO USE KEY DESIGN FEATURES TO CREATE A UNIQUE DENTAL EXPERIENCE AND STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPETITION

Go for a “Feeling”

Create a vibe with design.

You know that sense (feeling) you get when you walk into a particular business, restaurant, event, etc.? There’s a certain “vibe” that arises – starting with how the space is designed.

Design engages your patient’s emotions. And as a dental professional you want to tap into the right emotional response from the moment they arrive on your property.

Put patients at ease throughout each zone of your practice – including the clinical area.
Inspire confidence in your services with the technology you select and how you showcase it and inform patients about it.
Use sensory and emotional connect-points to create the atmosphere conducive to the specific services you provide to patients/families.

Add Some Color

Calming greens and warm browns.

Certain color schemes have a recognized impact on emotions. When selecting a color palette, begin with the emotional appeal you want to elicit.

For example, blues and greens are often confirmed by therapists as the easiest colors to focus on. Each color is also noted to have a calming effect on those exposed to them.

Even so, you aren’t limited to greens and blues. In fact, other color schemes can create a unique dental experience for your patients as well.

Natural colors (e.g. browns), wood tones, and stone masonry can create a cozy feeling throughout your practice or in certain areas.
Modern, trendy colors as you would experience in a coffee shop might be the brand of atmosphere you want to create.

Bottom line: like with other unique design elements color creates a comfortable, familiar feel that helps put patients/families at ease.

Use Natural Appeal

Big windows let in natural light and look out on a calming view.

Natural lighting and exposure to appealing outdoor views help create a unique dental experience. The ambiance created by natural lighting produces an energizing response much like being in direct sunlight.

Exposure to natural features gives your patients and your staff a welcome emotional boost.
Where possible consider facing your dental chairs toward outdoor areas that are visibly appealing.
Use lighting solutions that mimic natural light.

Learn more about how colour and natural features can positively affect patients through our free white paper on Alleviating Anxiety in Pediatrics through Kid-Friendly Themed Environments.

Keep it Light, Creative, and Entertaining

Video game entertainment for multiple ages

.

Think creativity with a purpose. The use of entertaining and creative design can produce a unique dental experience for kids and adults.

Entertainment can be informative as well as visually stimulating. Keep this in mind especially as you design around your patient base.

Use entertainment features appropriate to your dental practice’s age demographic(s).
Inspire trust and comfort with creative design that appeals to your patients/families.

Gain Some “Wait”

Provide chairs that accommodate patients/families of all ages and body types.

Your patient waiting area is more than a room. It’s a space that can be maximized for to create a unique and comforting experience.

The waiting or reception area of your practice is where patients/families relax and calm their “nerves” prior to their appointment. A unique waiting area requires intentional design.

Position your chairs for patient comfort rather than traditional space maximization.
Provide chairs that accommodate patients/families of all ages and body types.
Give patients/families mental-space through free wifi, informative and entertaining video content, family-friendly video streams, relaxing (low-volume) music suitable for all ages, etc.

Get Personal

A family photo hangs in the waiting room of this dental office.

The more attention to personalization-detail the more your patients will get acquainted with you and your team. Personal touches help build trust and eliminate the overly clinical feel of your practice and facilities in general.

Post professionally framed personal photos and memorabilia throughout your facility.
Theme your practice decor using local artwork, photos, and more that showcases your community connection.

Patients and families “feel” something the moment they arrive on-site. Managing that “feeling” starts with how intentionally you’re designing a positive patient experience.

IT’S A GOOD TIME TO IMPROVE YOUR PATIENT EXPERIENCE

Take your patient care and engagement to new levels. You’ll stand-out from other service providers when you provide a unique dental experience.

Invest in Your Patients

Valuing your patients and their families sets them up for a lifetime of positive health outcomes. And the environment you set can help you achieve a better patient experience.

Reduce patient anxiety and enhance their relaxation
Prime patients and families for their appointments
Create positive dental care experiences

Invest in Your Business

Maintain your edge in the crowded dental service space. Attention to details in your space can transform your environment and the overall patient experience.

Create “buzz” in the community you serve
Accelerate patient referrals
Generate positive online reviews

Check out these helpful, related resources to upgrade or renew your patient experience:

5 Tips for Creating the Experience Parents Really Want While in the Waiting Room (But Won’t Tell You!)

Case Study – Adding Theming to Increase Profitability and Patient Satisfaction

A Practical Guide to Creating an Exceptional Patient Experience

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your office from a mundane to magical patient experience.

READ PREVIOUSREAD NEXT

6 Calming Strategies for Kids Nervous About Healthcare Appointments

JUMP TO SECTION

1. Help Them Make-Friends with Their Feelings and Emotions
2. Lift (Rather than Lower) Their Expectations with Advanced Preparation
3. Maintain Consistency with a Trusted Physician/Dentist
4. Use At-Home Role Play
5. Help Your Physician/Dentist Find Common Ground with Your Child
6. Model Calm and Patience
Send & Share

Does anyone blame a child for their anxiety about health-related appointments? It’s understandable if you recall your own childhood fears. And it’s all the more reason to find and implement calming strategies for kids to help them cope with their visit to a physician or dentist.

Seeing the world through a child’s eyes perhaps prompts some childhood memories of your own. Remembering your own experiences helps you get on their level about the potential for anxiety.

Children worry about separation from their parent(s) and being in the presence of a relative stranger.
Children fear procedures (e.g. shots, etc.).
Children can experience confusion about necessary physical contact required from a healthcare provider on occasion.
Children’s anxiety can be heightened by a well-intentioned adult or parental conversation about medical or dental appointments.

These and more create a “perfect-storm” of sorts regarding a child’s nervousness and anxiety about a medical or dental visit. Setting them up for a lifetime of confidence about their healthcare starts early, by giving them the calming strategies to use when they feel anxious.

SIX CALMING STRATEGIES FOR KIDS EXPERIENCING ANXIETY ABOUT MEDICAL AND DENTAL APPOINTMENTS

1. Help Them Make-Friends with Their Feelings and Emotions

It’s natural to want to keep fear at arm’s length. What’s perceived as a threat or potentially painful is best avoided – in a child’s mind.

Kids aren’t wired to handle fear, anxiety, or whatever they believe to be harmful to them. So it’s best to help them accept fear as a normal reaction rather than giving the impression that it’s not real.

Allow them to express their feelings about the approaching appointment or present situation.
Avoid rescuing them and instead stand alongside them and together process their emotional response(s).
Affirm your confidence in them but don’t “sugar-coat” their upcoming experience.
Ask questions without fueling anxiety. Asking, ”How are you feeling about visiting the doctor/dentist?” is a better question than, ”Are you nervous about visiting the doctor/dentist?”

2. Lift (Rather than Lower) Their Expectations with Advanced Preparation

A brief explanation about what it’s like to visit the doctor or dentist helps frame a satisfying experience for a child and their family. It’s important that you avoid creating unrealistic scenarios that lowers their expectations to a negative level.

For example, promising that a doctor visit is “no-big-deal…” or that it won’t be painful is a promise that might be easily broken – and with it their trust.

Frame possible scenarios. A useful phrase could be, “I’m not sure if you’ll get a shot this time…but if you do, it will be over quickly and feel like a ‘pinch.’”
Reward their bravery after an appointment in a way that’s meaningful to the child.

3. Maintain Consistency with a Trusted Physician/Dentist

Overtime a child who sees the same professional will begin to trust them. And make sure your trust in your chosen physician/dentist is evident to your child.

Announcing an upcoming medical/dental visit will be less discouraging when a child can put-a-face with who they’ll see. The more personal your doctor/dentist relationship the better – for you and your child.

4. Use At-Home Role Play

Many kids play “doctor” on occasion. Role-play scenarios can help take the edge off of upcoming medical/dental appointments.

Use play instruments to listen to your child’s heart, look into their ears, check their teeth, etc.
Encourage your child to give a doll or toy an “exam.”

Playful routines can normalize what might be an anxiety producing experience.

5. Help Your Physician/Dentist Find Common Ground with Your Child

Provide your care provider as much information about your child as possible. What they enjoy doing, playing with, watching on TV, the sports they’re involved in, their hobbies, favorite foods/snacks, etc.

This information provides an opportunity to lighten the mood and establish a friendly relationship during an appointment.

6. Model Calm and Patience

Remember that anxiety or fear can be contagious. The opposite is true as well – if you’re calm, cool, and collected it’s more likely your child will be.

Set a positive mood for their approaching medical/dental appointment. Again, be realistic rather than reactionary.
Help your child relax with breathing techniques and the reassurance that helps take their mind off of their fear or anxiety.
Know that some emotion is normal (e.g. crying, etc) and that time and trust are on your side as your child matures and grows.

Calming strategies for kids are supported by an equally calming environment that helps them overcome anxiety and have a positive experience with their care providers.

Outstanding patient experience for children and families begins with a kid-centric mindset and environment. Check out the following resources for providing anxiety-free medical/dental visits:

How (and Why) to Help Kids with Anxiety About the Dentist

A Practical Guide to Creating an Exceptional Patient Experience

Our Top 5 Hands-Free Waiting Room Ideas to Engage and Entertain Patients

And…

Download Our White Paper: Alleviating Patient Anxiety Through Office Theming

Valuing your patients and their families sets them up for a lifetime of positive health outcomes. And the environment you create can help you achieve a better patient experience.

Reduce patient anxiety and enhance their relaxation
Prime patients and families for their appointments
Create positive medical and/or dental care experiences

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your office into an anxiety-free patient experience.

READ PREVIOUSREAD NEXT

How (and Why) to Help Kids with Anxiety About the Dentist

JUMP TO SECTION

Why Helping Kids With Anxiety About Dentistry is a Top Priority
Helping Kids With Anxiety About Dentistry Starts With The Potential Causes
Helping Kids With Anxiety About Dentistry Creates Lifetime Patient Relationships
Send & Share

Good experiences are worth repeating. That truth applies to your strategies for helping kids with anxiety in your dental office – a result that can improve your patient retention too.

Children can sometimes experience fear about their next dental appointment. A positive patient experience can increase the likelihood that they won’t dread it.

WHY HELPING KIDS WITH ANXIETY ABOUT DENTISTRY IS A TOP PRIORITY

Aversion to dental care often begins early. Helping a child face their fears now will help assure their positive, lifetime relationship with dentistry.

Dental anxiety is simply the fear felt about seeking or receiving dental care. It’s also helpful to understand that it goes deeper than merely not wanting to go to a dental appointment.

The fear is real. And here’s why.

Anxiety is the body’s response to a perceived threat or danger. The physical changes that occur inside a person feeling fear attaches to their memory and the particular social situation.

Human beings have a unique relationship with anxiety. For example, a child feeling anxious will engage their memory and imagination to rehearse the experience.

Essentially, a child’s memory of an anxious experience can enlarge it into a potential outcome that produces fear. Whether it occurs or not isn’t the issue – the anxiety is there!

All this to say: dental anxiety is a credible issue for children especially. It could present as…

“Acting out”
Crying
Tantrums
Lack of cooperation
And more…

HELPING KIDS WITH ANXIETY ABOUT DENTISTRY STARTS WITH THE POTENTIAL CAUSES

You can’t control the past experiences of your young dental patients. But you can control the current and future ones as you understand what could have contributed to their dental anxiety.

Embarrassment

Children can feel self-conscious about their oral health as adults do. Tooth decay, bad breath, misaligned or crooked teeth, and more can create embarrassing moments for them.

Needles and “Shots” (Injections)

Kids like adults have a perception about needles. Remember, the anticipated pain associated with a shot or injection can create strong feelings of anxiety prior to a dental appointment.

Anesthesia

The general feeling of being out-of-control is often associated with sedation. For some, wearing a mask or having their nose covered will lead to anxious reactions.

Pain

Who likes pain? Even the thought of a perceived painful experience can lead to anxiety about dental treatment.

Powerlessness

Feeling as if a circumstance is beyond one’s control can cause panic and anxiety. Any pain that’s felt can lead a child to experience a sense that nothing will provide relief.

Time

A long period of time since the previous dental visit can contribute to anxiety in children. It’s common to assume that more problems (e.g. cavities, etc) will be the result of not consistently visiting your office. And in their mind, that’s more potential discomfort and thus more anxiety.

The “Unknown”

Children imagine what a visit to the dentist is like. This especially follows stories they’ve heard or what they’ve gleaned from another’s negative experience.

HELPING KIDS WITH ANXIETY ABOUT DENTISTRY RESTORES CONFIDENCE IN YOUR EXPERTISE AND CREATES LIFETIME PATIENT RELATIONSHIPS

Be The “Right Dentist”

Parents will seek a dentist based on the collective experiences of others. Keep in mind that many search on the assumption that all dentists are alike.

The difference for you could be based on your “reputation” relative to care quality and sensitivity to patient perception – including dental anxiety.

Create a themed environment that’s visibly attentive to children.
Ease anxiety through clear communication about procedures, appointment protocols, and preliminary conversations.
(If applicable) talk about and promote your own family to give the impression that you understand a child’s perspective.

Communicate and Clarify

Provide families as much appointment information as possible. This helps create predictability for their child ahead of their visit.

Give parents/families the resources to answer questions with care and confidence prior to a dental visit.
Chat with the parent/family about the questions their child/children have about dentistry.
Clarify appointment details and eliminate any “surprises” prior to their arrival.
Put kids at-ease about dental care by reminding them of the benefits of good oral health habits.

Provide a “Calming” Experience

Your dental practice environment sets the tone for a child’s dental appointment. From the moment they arrive assure them that your office is a “kid-friendly” place to receive dental care.

Manage each transition during their visit. When appropriate allow a parent/family member to accompany their child as necessary during the appointment.
Enhance their feeling of security by letting them bring personal items from home (e.g. stuffed animal, blanket, etc).
Lighten the mood by asking about their interests, hobbies, accomplishments, etc.

CREATING A CALMING ENVIRONMENT FOR HELPING KIDS WITH ANXIETY CAN PRODUCE A POSITIVE PERCEPTION OF DENTISTRY AND ENHANCE PATIENT RETENTION

Outstanding patient experience for children and families begins with a kid-centric mindset and environment. Check out these related resources for upgrading, renewing, and providing anxiety-free dental visits:

5 Goals for Improving Patient Experience in Your Pediatric Dental Practice

Our Top 5 Hands-Free Waiting Room Ideas to Engage and Entertain Patients

5 Tips for Creating the Experience Parents Really Want While in the Waiting Room (But Won’t Tell You!)

Valuing your patients and their families sets them up for a lifetime of positive health outcomes. And the environment you create can help you achieve a better patient experience.

Reduce patient anxiety and enhance their relaxation
Prime patients and families for their appointments
Create positive dental care experiences

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your office into an anxiety-free patient experience.

JUMP TO SECTION

HOW TO CREATE YOUR GOOGLE BUSINESS LISTING FOR YOUR DENTAL OR MEDICAL OFFICE:

JUMP TO SECTION

New Children’s Hospital Gets a Little IDS Magic

How Theming Has Helped This Clinic

What Issues Did Theming Solve in This Clinic

Interested in learning more about themed environments? Check out these related resources on IDS customers:

JUMP TO SECTION

HOW TO USE KEY DESIGN FEATURES TO CREATE A UNIQUE DENTAL EXPERIENCE AND STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPETITION

Go for a “Feeling”

Add Some Color

Use Natural Appeal

Gain Some “Wait”

Get Personal

IT’S A GOOD TIME TO IMPROVE YOUR PATIENT EXPERIENCE

Invest in Your Patients

Invest in Your Business

JUMP TO SECTION

SIX CALMING STRATEGIES FOR KIDS EXPERIENCING ANXIETY ABOUT MEDICAL AND DENTAL APPOINTMENTS

1. Help Them Make-Friends with Their Feelings and Emotions

2. Lift (Rather than Lower) Their Expectations with Advanced Preparation

3. Maintain Consistency with a Trusted Physician/Dentist

4. Use At-Home Role Play

5. Help Your Physician/Dentist Find Common Ground with Your Child

6. Model Calm and Patience

Calming strategies for kids are supported by an equally calming environment that helps them overcome anxiety and have a positive experience with their care providers.

JUMP TO SECTION

WHY HELPING KIDS WITH ANXIETY ABOUT DENTISTRY IS A TOP PRIORITY

HELPING KIDS WITH ANXIETY ABOUT DENTISTRY STARTS WITH THE POTENTIAL CAUSES

Embarrassment

Needles and “Shots” (Injections)

Anesthesia

Pain

Powerlessness

Time

The “Unknown”

HELPING KIDS WITH ANXIETY ABOUT DENTISTRY RESTORES CONFIDENCE IN YOUR EXPERTISE AND CREATES LIFETIME PATIENT RELATIONSHIPS

Be The “Right Dentist”

Communicate and Clarify

Provide a “Calming” Experience

CREATING A CALMING ENVIRONMENT FOR HELPING KIDS WITH ANXIETY CAN PRODUCE A POSITIVE PERCEPTION OF DENTISTRY AND ENHANCE PATIENT RETENTION

CONNECT WITH A CREATIVE CONSULTANT

GET STARTED TODAY