Boosting Patient Communication through Yelp Connect: Our Guide for Dental Pros

Getting started with Yelp Connect for your dental practice is an intuitive process that can be completed in less than about 10 minutes. Each step is tailored to ensure you can effectively communicate your practice’s offerings and updates. Here’s a step-by-step guide for how you can set up Yelp Connect on your business profile:

1. Access Your Dashboard: Start by logging into your business dashboard at business.yelp.com. It is important to make sure you are in the Yelp Business app and not the consumer Yelp App.
2. Select the Correct Location: For practices with multiple locations, ensure you select the correct location in the upper-left corner of your business dashboard.
3. Navigate to Yelp Connect: Find the "Yelp Connect" section in the sidebar. Here, you'll be prompted to purchase the service, either alone or as part of a bundle.
4. Create Your Post: After completing your purchase, remain in the Yelp Connect section and click on "Create Post".
5. Add Media: You can add either photos or videos to make your post more engaging. Ensure that any media used represents your dental practice effectively and is licensed appropriately.
6. Craft Your Message: Write an attention-grabbing headline with a maximum of 50 characters and a description up to 300 characters long, focusing on key details and offers.
7. Set the Post Schedule: Decide how long your post will be visible. You can choose to set it to stay forever, for 90 days, or set a custom duration based on your promotional needs.
8. Publish Your Post: Once you're satisfied with your post, click on "Create Post" to go live.

Selecting the right image aspect ratio

When setting up your post, you have the flexibility to upload photos in landscape, square, or their original aspect ratios. However, Yelp recommends opting for the "fullscreen" or 9:16 aspect ratio, especially for images on mobile devices. This format fills up the entire screen on a mobile preview, making your post more visually appealing for Yelp app users. Additionally, the post creation tool includes a preview pane on the right side, allowing you to see how your post will look in real-time. You can zoom in or out of the photo to ensure that it looks perfect before publishing.

Choosing the right call-to-action (CTA) via the Yelp Connect "Button"

Choosing the right call-to-action (CTA) button through the post builder is essential to driving the right engagement from potential guests. Each button serves a unique purpose and aligns with different business goals:

• View Business: Best used to enhance visibility and profile traffic. It's a straightforward option that directs users to your Yelp Page where they can learn more about your practice. Ideal for broadening the reach of your general services.
• View More Photos: Effective for practices focusing on aesthetic outcomes, such as cosmetic dentistry. It leads users to a photo gallery showcasing your work.
• Get Directions: Crucial for local SEO and encouraging physical visits. It helps users find your practice easily, perfect for offices looking to increase foot traffic and in-office consultations.
• Call Now: Offers immediate communication for urgent dental care or consultations. It’s useful for practices looking to increase patient appointments through direct interaction.
• Message Business: Allows for a more discreet form of communication where potential patients can inquire privately. This option suits those who may need more information before booking an appointment.
• Visit Website: Directs users to your website where they can delve deeper into your services, staff bios, and other relevant information. Use this if your site has ample content that can convert prospects into patients.
• Custom URL: Offers versatility by directing users to any specific URL. This could be a landing page for a special promotion, an event registration page, or any other targeted content that does not fit the standard options.

Each option should be carefully considered based on the specific actions you want your potential patients to take after viewing your post. This strategic approach ensures that every post is optimized for maximum impact, guiding users through your desired patient journey.

Setting a custom "post schedule"

Although not a "deal-breaker" and certainly not worth overthinking, setting the right post schedule for your Yelp Connect content can influence how effectively you reach and engage with potential patients.

You have three options to choose from:

• Shown for 90 Days: This is ideal for seasonal promotions, time-sensitive offers, or updates that are relevant for a specific period. It ensures that your post remains fresh in the minds of your audience without needing constant updates.
• Shown Forever: Use this for evergreen content that consistently provides value, such as information about core services or patient testimonials.
• Custom Schedule: This option offers flexibility to tailor the visibility of your posts to align with particular marketing campaigns or events. For example, if you have a special offer leading up to a new service launch, you can schedule posts to go live a few weeks in advance and end shortly after the launch.

How to write a great description for your Yelp Connect Posts

When writing a description for your Yelp Connect posts, it’s important to maximize engagement while adhering to the 300-character limit. Here are three suggestions to help you craft effective descriptions:

Working with Videos in Yelp Connect

Yelp Connect lets dental practices spice up their posts with videos, making them more engaging and visually appealing. This feature is unique since videos aren't typically allowed on Yelp business profiles without going through a Yelp Partner. You can easily showcase services, introduce your team, or highlight patient testimonials with videos. A simple iPhone video shot by your staff can be just as effective. Adding videos can help your posts stand out and draw in potential patients by offering a dynamic look into your practice.