Established practice
Patients search for their symptoms, not your name. Do they find you?
Most consultant websites only show up when someone already knows the name. Here is how to be found by everyone else.
Is this you? Tap any that are true.
Most people reading this tick at least one.
It only takes one to cost you.
- steps
- 7
- steps
- to start
- 1 hour
- to start
- scorecard
- Free
- scorecard
The short answer
Most consultant sites are found only by people who already know the name. To be found for a condition, you need one good page per condition in patients' words, a complete Google Business Profile, and steady reviews. Expect three to six months before results show, and longer in competitive cities.
What good looks like
What patients see when they search, before and after
Search: "Knee pain specialist Birmingham"
- Improved: Your condition page on page one
- Improved: With your reviews and a clear way to book
Illustrative sample, not a real person or result. Your own audit uses your real details.
7 steps
Do it yourself: step by step
0 of 7 done
Ten conditions or procedures you want more of, in patient language plus your town. For example "knee pain specialist [town]", "private hip replacement [town]". Ask your secretary what patients say on the phone.
- Time
- 1 hour
- Typical cost
- Free
- Who does it
- You and secretary
Done when: A list of ten search phrases
This problem is Solvable.
Copy this template
Condition page template
Free to copy, adapt and use. No sign-up.
Page title (under 60 characters)
[Condition] treatment in [Town] | [Name], consultant [specialty]
Meta description (under 155 characters)
Private assessment and treatment for [condition] in [Town] with [Name]. Insured and self-pay. Appointments within [x] days.
Page heading
[Condition]: assessment and treatment in [Town]
Opening (two or three sentences)
[Condition] causes [main symptom]. I see patients with [condition] at [Hospital 1] and [Hospital 2], and most leave their first appointment with a clear diagnosis and plan.
Symptoms
- [Symptom 1]
- [Symptom 2]
- [Symptom 3]
When to see a specialist
[Plain description of thresholds or red flags.]
What causes it
[Short explanation.]
Treatment options
- [Non-surgical option]
- [Procedure option]
- [Other]
Not everyone needs treatment. We will talk through what is right for you.
What happens at your first appointment
[History, examination, any tests, what you leave with.]
Recovery
[Typical timescales, stated as ranges.]
Fees
Initial consultation £[fee]. [Procedure] from £[fee] for my fee; hospital and anaesthetist fees are separate. Recognised by [insurers]. [Link to fees page and PHIN.]
Common questions
How long is recovery? [Answer] What are the risks? [Answer] Will my insurance cover it? [Answer] How soon can I be seen? [Answer] Do I need a GP referral? [Answer]
Book
[Button: Book an appointment] | Call [secretary] on [phone]
Written by [Name], consultant [specialty], GMC [number]. Last reviewed [month, year].
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- One "Conditions treated" page listing twenty conditions in a single line each.
- Writing in clinical terms patients never search for.
- Copying condition text from a hospital or NHS site, which adds nothing new.
- Creating duplicate Google Business Profiles, for example one per specialisation, which Google's guidelines do not allow.
- No author name, credentials or review date on medical content.
Free personal check
Done by Paul Robinson, not software
I'll search for the conditions you treat as a patient would and show where you appear
What I need from you
- Your name
- Your specialty
- The town you practise in
- Your website address
What you get
- Screenshots of who appears for your conditions
- Where your Google Business Profile stands
- The three changes that matter most
Within 2 working days
No sign-in, no sales call. I read every request myself and reply on WhatsApp.
Free tools
Check where you stand
Benchmarks
3 to 6 months
Typical time for a new condition page to start appearing for local searches, longer in large cities
Solvable estimate
Paul Robinson
14 years in UK private healthcare
I solve this one for consultants
Want a hand? I'll look at your situation and tell you the three things I'd tackle first.
A few quick questions, about two minutes. I read every one myself and usually reply the same day.
No sales call unless you ask for one. Just a straight answer and what I'd do first.
I reply personally, usually the same day.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long until I appear?
Usually months, not weeks. Pages for less competitive conditions or smaller towns appear sooner.
Should I pay for Google Ads instead?
Ads appear straight away and stop when you stop paying. Condition pages take longer but keep working. Many consultants use ads while the pages build up.
Can I compete with the NHS website?
Not for general information. You can appear for searches that include private, specialist or your town.
Do I need to write it myself?
A supplier can draft it, but you should check every page. Patients and search engines value content written or reviewed by a named specialist.
How many reviews do I need?
There is no set number. A steady flow every month matters more than a burst.
Last reviewed:
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