Client: Dr. Evelyn Reed, DPM
Industry: Healthcare / Solo Podiatry Practice
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Timeline: 6 Months (October 2024 – March 2025)
Services Provided by SERP Thriver: Local SEO Jumpstart Package (Google Business Profile Management, Targeted Keyword Optimization, Review Generation System, Monthly Performance Reporting).
The Challenge: A Solo Practitioner’s Time & Visibility Problem
Dr. Evelyn Reed is a highly skilled and compassionate podiatrist who built a solid practice in Calgary based on patient care and a strong reputation. However, as a solo practitioner, her time was a significant constraint. She was stretched between patient appointments, administrative duties, and managing her practice.
Her online presence was minimal. She had a basic website, but it was not optimized for search engines, and her Google Business Profile (GBP) was barely filled out. This meant her practice was almost entirely reliant on physician referrals and word-of-mouth, which limited her growth potential. Her key challenge was simple: how to attract new patients from online searches without sacrificing the precious time she needed for her existing patients and practice management.
Initial Situation (September 2024 Baseline Data):
- Primary Patient Acquisition: 95% from referrals and existing patients.
- Monthly New Patients (from online search): 2-3 per month.
- Google Business Profile (GBP): Unclaimed, no recent photos or posts, and only 7 reviews.
- Website: No clear call-to-actions (CTAs) for booking, no blog, and minimal local keyword usage.
- Revenue from Online Bookings: <$1,800/month.
The Solution: A Focused 6-Month Local SEO Jumpstart for Solo Practice
SERP Thriver partnered with Dr. Reed to implement a highly focused, hands-on 6-month local SEO strategy. We designed a “Jumpstart Package” specifically for solo practitioners, which minimized Dr. Reed’s time commitment while maximizing her online results. The goal was to establish her as the go-to solo podiatrist in Calgary.
Our strategic approach included:
- Google Business Profile (GBP) Ownership & Optimization:
- We claimed and fully optimized her GBP, adding detailed service descriptions (e.g., “bunion treatment Calgary,” “diabetic foot care Calgary”), business hours, and photos of her welcoming clinic space.
- We implemented a bi-weekly GBP posting schedule, sharing patient tips and practice updates.
- Targeted On-Page Optimization:
- We performed a mini-audit of her website, focusing on key pages (Homepage, Services, About).
- We optimized page titles, meta descriptions, and on-page content with high-intent keywords like “podiatrist Calgary,” “foot specialist Calgary,” and “foot clinic Calgary.”
- We ensured her website had clear, prominent “Book an Appointment” calls-to-action on every page.
- Proactive Review Generation System:
- We implemented a simple, automated system to send a personalized review request to satisfied patients after their appointments. This required no work from Dr. Reed and began generating a steady stream of new reviews.
- We provided guidance on professionally responding to all new reviews.
- Monthly Performance Reporting:
- We provided easy-to-read monthly reports, highlighting key metrics like new patient calls, website visits, and ranking improvements, allowing Dr. Reed to see the ROI without having to manage the process herself.
The Results: A Profitable Shift from Referrals to Online Bookings
Over the course of the 6-month engagement, Dr. Evelyn Reed’s practice experienced a significant shift in patient acquisition and a remarkable increase in revenue directly tied to her enhanced online presence.
Key Performance Metrics (March 2025 vs. September 2024):
- New Patients from Online Search: Increased from 2-3 to 15 per month on average.
- Google Business Profile (GBP):
- Profile Views: Grew from an average of 180 to 1,250 per month (a 594% increase).
- Direct Actions (Calls/Clicks): Increased from 15 to 110 per month (a 633% increase).
- Total Google Reviews: Grew from 7 to 55 (a 686% increase), with an average rating of 4.9 stars.
- Organic Search Traffic: Increased from 120 to 580 unique visitors per month (a 383% increase).
- Top Local Keyword Rankings: Achieved top 5 rankings for several high-value keywords, including “podiatrist Calgary” and “foot pain specialist Calgary.”
The Revenue Impact:
With an average patient lifetime value of approximately $600 (accounting for initial consultation, follow-up visits, and potential orthotics or treatments), the increase in new patients directly translated into a significant revenue increase.
- Pre-SERP Thriver (Monthly): 3 new patients x $600 = $1,800
- Post-SERP Thriver (Monthly): 15 new patients x $600 = $9,000
- Monthly Revenue Increase: $7,200
Over the 6-month period, the total revenue increase from new online patient bookings was approximately $43,200. Factoring in potential referrals from these new patients and ongoing care, the projected new annual revenue for Dr. Reed’s practice was over $108,000.
Key Takeaways: How a Solo Podiatrist Thrived Online
Dr. Evelyn Reed’s success story proves that even a solo practitioner with limited time can dominate local search with a focused, expert-driven strategy. By partnering with SERP Thriver, she was able to:
- Leverage a “Done-For-You” Solution: The local SEO Jumpstart Package required minimal effort from her, allowing her to focus on what she does best—patient care.
- Build Digital Trust: The steady stream of positive reviews established her as a reputable and sought-after podiatrist in Calgary.
- Achieve Measurable ROI: The direct link between her improved online visibility and a significant revenue increase made the investment highly profitable.
Is your solo podiatry practice ready to attract new patients and see a profitable return on your marketing efforts? Contact SERP Thriver today for a free consultation and discover how a focused local SEO strategy can transform your practice.