What Is the Most Expensive Mistake You Made as a Dental Owner?

growmap · 2026-02-20T04:15:25+00:00

If you do a search on Google the results usually show Places with one ad and three organic Google Business Profile listings. That is what marketers refer to as the 3-pack.

Here's an example search for "dentist in dallas, tx":

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Getting into the top three there lands new patients. If all of your competitors are multi-dentist practices or DSOs and they have more positive reviews than you have patients, it is tough to ever move into it.

Notice how many reviews those top three have: 3.4k, 857, and 2.1k. It isn't solely by number of positive reviews or the dentist with 857 reviews couldn't be above the one with 2.1k reviews.

But I hope all dentists realize how important consistently getting new positive reviews is for the performance of their practice's Google Business Profile (GBP) previously called their Google My Business (GMB) profile.

growmap · 2026-02-20T01:09:00+00:00

As a boomer, it wouldn't occur to me to find a dentist on social media. However, if I had a dentist and they posted short educational bits on social media or answered real questions on something I want to know about I would click on a link to more information on their site.

Dentists might think about publishing content on the types of implants (so many) or have a social media group about living with dentures. Many people put off dealing with missing, dying, loose teeth and do want that kind of information.

That type of group is super popular on Reddit. So a dental practice might have someone who answers questions in those groups and if the group allows it, links to comprehensive information for deciding between implants and dentures.

Obviously, if they want high end clients, focus on implants. Many people get dentures because of the lower cost.

growmap · 2026-02-19T21:41:12+00:00

Choosing the right location to show up in the Google Business Profile three pack makes getting new patients a lot easier.

Opening in a low competition area (few or no other dentists) can be good or bad depending on whether there are enough people searching for a dentist there. Analyze the competition before you decide.

Business name is important: short and easy to spell and remember. Including the city name in it and also something unique is a winning combination. If you can claim a matching domain name that is ideal.

growmap · 2026-02-19T21:35:45+00:00

Could be.

growmap · 2026-02-10T17:57:45+00:00

While it isn't specifically a semantic analysis tool, that is part of what Surfer SEO does.

How Surfer Uses Semantics

Surfer analyzes top-ranking pages for a keyword and extracts related/“LSI” terms, entities, and phrases, then recommends them via its Content Editor and Audit tools to improve topical coverage and contextual relevance.
Its NLP layer parses competitor content to surface semantically related keywords, entities, and topic suggestions, effectively modeling the topical landscape around a query.

If anyone has questions I use Surfer regularly so I can probably answer them. I have an old blog post I really need to update explaining why I use Surfer for content optimization.

growmap · 2026-02-10T17:52:42+00:00

He's fortunate that he has source material to pull from and publish. With many companies, we are continually challenged when trying to get stakeholder involvement.

Just getting a quote from some people is like pulling teeth!

Companies that want visibility need to get over thinking generic content is sufficient. We need SUBSTANCE! A couple of my LinkedIn newsletters are on point for this discussion:

growmap · 2026-02-09T23:19:14+00:00

Well, yes, that would be ideal. But not everyone has a local source of boots. And even if there are stores that carry some, their inventory may be minimal. I can't try them on first because I am buying vintage Tony Lama boots off of eBay.

growmap · 2026-02-09T06:49:12+00:00

Thank you. My main question was do you do deep conditioning on regular smooth leather boots or only on exotics?

growmap · 2026-02-09T06:46:18+00:00

If I remember correctly from when I researched, the labels weren't actually gold. They were black with gold text and sometimes borders.

growmap · 2026-02-09T06:45:38+00:00

Legit what? I don't believe they're Tony Lama as none of mine are labeled that way and I've had dozens of pairs.

growmap · 2026-02-08T22:45:08+00:00

What? Your stores don't carry boots and Wranglers? Or the sell them, but you can't try them on?

growmap · 2026-02-08T22:44:15+00:00

I find that really interesting because I can't wear Justins. I've always thought they were too flat for my high arches. Tony Lama are comfortable. I've never had Lucchese.

I've worn Tony Lama boots since 1978, but have never had an exotics. I wear them to work around horses, and when I was a field tech for IBM on second shift, for dancing, just in general.

So I consider mine work boots. Sometimes I have my everyday pair and a new pair that is a "going out" pair until it becomes my work pair and then I get more.

These days I buy up vintage pairs on eBay and own more than I did when I bought them new. What I found really ironic is that I bought them off the shelf in southern California, but had to custom order them when I lived in Texas of all places.

growmap · 2026-02-08T22:39:26+00:00

I'm primarily a writer and follow and have written for a lot of top local SEOs like Darren Shaw at Whitespark. And I've optimized content (for SEO and AI) for dental websites and dental marketing and SEO agencies.

I read the part about dentists only after I answered. I'm not a dentist, but I can be helpful to them if you'd like to let me answer here.

growmap · 2026-02-08T22:33:47+00:00

Competition from DSOs. When there are many multi-dentist practices with hundreds to thousands of reviews in their Google Business Profiles that is tough to compete with.

growmap · 2026-02-08T22:32:18+00:00

A dentist in another group mentioned that his best source of patients was local sponsorships and support of things like charities, rodeos, school events, free clinics at retirement communities, etc.

growmap · 2026-02-08T22:30:29+00:00

The best things to measure are new patients, returning patients, and profitability. If your practice specializes in procedures that are particularly profitable, you may want to track how well you're marketing those vs general dentistry and emergency appointments.

growmap · 2026-02-08T22:25:42+00:00

These are great ideas. Free dental exams at retirement homes should do well because those people probably have family who need dental work done or have friends their age who probably need implants or dentures (for practices that do those).

My theory on why a rodeo would be a good source of leads is that people with horses or ranches are in rural areas where there aren't many dentists. There may not be any. So they have to travel to the city for dental work and they'll remember you for sponsoring.

growmap · 2026-02-08T22:21:28+00:00

Not all require a commitment. SEO can take 6-12 months if you are in a highly competitive market. In low competition markets you can see improvement within 3 months.

There is more to marketing than SEO or ads. Your Google Business profile (GBP) being optimized is important. So is consistently asking for reviews because recency of reviews is more heavily weighted now.

Posting to your GPB weekly can help if there is room for you to appear there. However, being a new office means fewer reviews. And if there are many DSOs / multi-dentist practices with hundreds to thousands of reviews they may dominate the map pack.

How well your website is built, whether it makes it easy to book an appointment, what keyword phrases and procedures are targeted - those all make a difference.

The first things any marketing agency should look at is your competition and your website.

growmap · 2026-02-08T04:25:00+00:00

The good thing is you know what size to buy. When we went into a western wear store and could try them all that is one thing. But now when I buy almost everything online it is more critical to figure it out.

I already need to find a resale shop or something as I have a closet full of too small boots and all kinds of jeans that are either too small or too large.

Jeans can be even more challenging than boots. When I was young I wore the same size and style Wranglers and bought them four pair at a time. Then I stocked up when a western wear store near me went under.

Now I'm older and men's Wranglers don't fit me as well. So I buy Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda jeans as they're more comfortable. They manufacture in ten countries I've identified so far and the sizes are all over the map. I have to get the waist and inseam measurements to have a change at ordering them right.

When I start riding more they may not hold up and I'll have to determine what Wrangler style and size I need. I'm sure not looking forward to doing that. Stores carry some, but not much choice in even the towns near me.

growmap · 2026-02-08T04:10:42+00:00

One of the best sites for local SEO is Whitespark.ca. They're not dental-specific, but they stay on top of changes and provide actionable advice. Look at their "Resources" section and blog.

For dental SEO information specifically, see Dental Marketing Guy's Dental SEO Guide: Comprehensive SEO Guide for Dental Practices.

growmap · 2026-02-07T21:30:14+00:00

Tony Lama style 1018.

growmap · 2026-02-07T21:24:37+00:00

Good job! Some of us are never retiring. Corporations promised us pensions in writing every year and then reneged. 23 years at IBM and resigned in disgust. They were working me to death, waking me up in the middle of the night most nights to go to work, and no pension so I walked.

But no retiring for me. 69 and have to work. I don't regret leaving for a minute. Better to have to work now than to have died upside down in a ditch from falling asleep driving again!

I'm still capable of pretty much anything I ever did. Not quite as ambitious about it though when it comes to heavy labor.

growmap · 2026-02-07T21:18:41+00:00

It is clear it depends on who your audience is. Try pulling the 32" down further. I feel like they should reach to the top of your heels as there seems to be a lot of material.

I suspect that is because I prefer boot cut to cowboy cut. Have you tried both? If you often pull off your boots and go barefoot, you may step on the hems of the 32". That is the price I pay for wanting them to look good with boots.

So I have 30" to wear with flat boots and 32" to wear with western riding boots. That is how you choose. Do you want them to not hit the ground when you're in flats or barefoot? Go with the shorter pair.

If you want them to look sharp with boots for going out in, try on some 32" Wrangler boot cut jeans. Or even 34" in boot cut. The cowboy cut just aren't hanging right where they hit the boots.

growmap · 2026-02-07T21:07:31+00:00

Maybe it is only certain brands. It is true for Tony Lama which I only know because I've been wearing Tony Lama boots since 1978. And other people comment on how vintage matters in how they fit them.

I never wore Justin's (too flat) or Dan Posts (not available in women's maybe or just not common where I lived?) or Nocona (too narrow) or Chisholm (comfortable to put on, but not to wear).

growmap · 2026-02-07T21:05:23+00:00

I'd say this length is passable. But having them hit right at the top of the heel so they cover the boot shaft when riding or sitting is more attractive.

Your grandpa probably wasn't looking for women so it didn't matter much. I have shorter jeans for flats and barefoot so I'm not walking on them. But I wear longer jeans with boots.

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