Mandy, Author at Serendipity Mommy

A Comprehensive Guide to Local SEO for Dentists

June 17, 2021 by Mandy

Photo Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko | Pexels

Marketing is always a vital concern for any business, dental clinics included. You and your competitors offer essentially the same service, and it may be challenging to express your unique value proposition to potential patients.

That’s where SEO comes in. Implementing a local SEO strategy may just be the key to attracting a regular influx of new patients in your area to ensure healthy growth for your clinic as time goes on.

Most prospects looking for services in their area like a children’s dentist in Guelph, to name one example, use search engines to locate those essential services. Since so many people use search engines, it’s vital that your website ranking is high, for the services you provide, to ensure you show on the top page of search results. Having your high site ranking often makes all the difference when it comes to netting more local clients.

What’s the Difference Between SEO and Local SEO?

It may not sound like much of a difference between SEO in general and local SEO, but it does matter. Traditional SEO is all about improving your online visibility in search results related to your practice. This is great when you’re casting your net wide, but you’ll get optimal results targeting a more specific niche.

That’s where local SEO enters the picture. Local SEO marketing focuses on boosting your site’s visibility on local SERPs to attract nearby patients to your clinic. Local SEO matters precisely because it targets those would-be patients who are in a position to come to you for their dental needs.

For convenience, consumers are likely to visit businesses close to their location. This makes it a good idea to target those nearby clients to get quantifiable results for your clinic. Local SEO also boasts less competition for rankings due to geographic criteria, meaning it shows results faster than standard SEO. In short, make local SEO marketing a major element of your marketing strategy to pull in more high-quality traffic to your website.

How to Improve Your Local SEO

As a Toronto, or any city-based, SEO firm may tell you, there are a few strategies you can implement to bring in more qualified leads. To help you begin, try out these ideas to start taking your SEO in the right direction. Take note, the more money and effort you put into your SEO, the better results you get. The more of these you can use, the easier it is to get the right kind of attention from your patients, old and new.

1. Start with your keyword research

One of the first places to start when building an SEO strategy is your keywords. As a dental clinic, your basic keywords will include “dental services” or services you offer like “root canals.”

Once you have some basic, relevant keywords, use a keyword planner tool to identify the top keywords that people use when searching for dental services. As a rule, long-tail keywords are preferable. These keywords are typically more specific, and consequently less competitive.

For local SEO, it’s also a good idea to add specific filters that allow you to narrow down the search results to your local area. Location-specific terms are a particularly good idea. It makes a world of difference when narrowing down the location like “dental office in York,” or “denture clinic in London.”

Specific keywords are there to match the user intent of prospects, while the location specifier narrows searches down to your general area. This gives you more powerful and relevant results than relying on more general keywords.

2. Build your Google My Business Page

Working on your Google My Business Page is another way to strengthen your local SEO. Your GMB page provides a business profile that is visible on Google to help point prospects to your clinic.

You can add vital information to your page including your name, address, operating hours, and contact details that enable patients to connect with you. For optimal results, make sure your information is accurate and complete. After all, if patients want to get in touch, it pays to include correct and up-to-date contact details.

A Google My Business Page also offers some opportunities to present your unique business proposition. Write a business description to list the services you offer and why patients should choose you over the competition.

While you’re at it, you can also include some of your keywords here to contribute a little more to your online visibility. Your page also allows you to post photos of your clinic and give patients an idea of what to expect from you. Pictures are also a great way to add to your credibility, which Google takes into account when ranking your site.

3. Post reviews where visitors can see them

Reviews are another important metric for determining how trustworthy a business is, both for Google and your patients. The more independent reviews you have, the more authority your website possesses, which reflects in your ranking. Meanwhile, your patients are more likely to trust your services if you feature plenty of honest reviews.

Google My Business is a convenient platform to display those satisfied reviews, as are sites like Yelp. Alternatively, you can also feature patient reviews on your site. Consider creating a review page to show off those reviews and give future patients an idea of what to expect from you.

Whichever approach you take, always encourage patients to leave their feedback. There are several ways to do that, from creating a unique link where they need to make their reviews to sending emails or text messages to encourage them to do so post-treatment.

In general, it’s a good idea to come up with a plan to respond to reviews, be it positive and negative. Not only is this a good way to engage with patients, but it also works as damage control in case of negative reviews.

Addressing the concerns of your patients is a great way to maintain their trust while showing at the same time that you’re constantly dedicated to self-improvement. Whether positive or negative, always respond promptly to reviews to let your patients know that their feedback is important to you.

4. Create plenty of quality content

A common piece of advice in the SEO world is that content is king. Good content is an additional service you can offer your loyal patients, above and beyond what you normally provide. Creating a blog is one of the easiest ways to provide that quality content. Set up a blogging schedule to guide your content creation and ensure you release regular content to satisfy your patients.

For optimal results, it’s a good idea to focus on long-form content. Longer content not only ranks higher but will also contribute to a more positive user experience for your audience. Long-form content is a great chance to provide more in-depth information for readers.

For example, if you’re writing articles offering simple dental cleaning tips, it’s a chance to share your knowledge in detail. Sharing your expertise like this also reflects highly on search results, improving your online visibility considerably.

While most businesses focus on written content, there’s no need to limit yourself to writing. Videos are a dynamic medium that allows you to share what you know in a more hands-on fashion.

When you need to demonstrate something to your viewers, videos allow you to show them how it’s done properly and ensure the lesson sinks in. You can also create video tours or introductions to show off a more personal side to your clinic and forge a closer relationship with your patients.

Local SEO is one of the most effective marketing tools in your arsenal, and so it pays to know how to use it properly. Keep this guide in mind when formulating your local SEO strategy to give yourself a good head start when improving your digital marketing moving forward.

10 Warning Signs for Your Dog’s Health

June 14, 2021 by Mandy

When bringing a furry friend into the home, we want our dogs to feel happy, healthy, and comfortable. However, just like with human beings, dogs can develop all sorts of diseases throughout their lifespan which can impact their quality of life. It’s your responsibility as their owner to keep on top of your dog’s health and look for any warning signs that could suggest something is wrong.

Thankfully, most warning signs are fairly easy to identify. To help keep your dog in tip-top condition, here are some red flags to look out for which may require a visit to your vet.

Changes in Eating Habits

No matter how old your dog is, or their breed, you will have a hard time finding a canine that doesn’t love food. As a dog owner, there’s bound to have been many times when you’ve been tucking into your grub to find your canine by your side displaying puppy-dog eyes. This means that should your dog go off their food, you will notice within an instant. If your furry friend is turning their nose up at treats especially, this is a cause for concern that shouldn’t be ignored. To give you peace of mind, make sure you contact your vet right away.

Diarrhea

There are many reasons why your dog may have diarrhea. Your pooch may have eaten spoiled food, developed a bacterial infection, or caught a viral disease. Intestinal parasites can also be the cause of diarrhea. No matter the reason behind it, diarrhea can be incredibly dangerous for your pet as they could lose a huge amount of fluid and become dehydrated. Make sure you keep a close eye on your dog to monitor their bowel movements and if they are becoming distressed, you need to call your vet immediately.

Vomiting

Just like with humans, vomiting is one of the most alarming and obvious red flags that something is up with your dog. Seeing them be sick can be distressing, but it’s usually down to food poisoning or swallowing a foreign object. Liver failure can also be a cause of vomiting; however, this is normally in extreme cases. Many dogs also never know when to stop eating, so they may simply have eaten too much food. If your dog is vomiting and you have concerns, seeking professional help is important.

Rapid or Difficult Breathing

After a long walk around the block or on a hot summer’s day, it’s normal for your dog to pant. However, they shouldn’t have difficulty breathing once they return to a cooler temperature or have a brief rest. Should your dog have difficulty with breathing, or rapid breathing, this is a warning sign that there is something wrong. While there are many causes that could be behind problems with breathing, usually there is a direct impact on your dog’s lungs such as a chest infection. Make sure you keep close tabs on your dog if they have problems with their breathing.

Constant Sneezing

While the occasional sneeze in your dog is nothing to panic about, repeated or frequent dog sneezing could signal there is a problem with your pooch. Before you dial the vets, check this guide on how to stop your dog’s sneezing from Native Pet. They have various pet guides on all things health-related, helping you to stay one step ahead of your dog’s wellbeing. Native Pet crafts organic supplements for pooches and are also teamed with leading vet nutritionists in the country, meaning your dog’s health and wellbeing will always be put first.

Excessive Licking

Although it’s perfectly natural and normal for your dog to lick themselves during their grooming, there may come a point where their behavior is a little out of the ordinary. If your furry friend is constantly grooming and licking, this could signal a sign of illness, particularly if they’re focusing on one part of the body. While infections are usually the root cause for this, reactions to medication and allergies may be to blame too. Your natural instincts will kick in if you believe something is out of character, so don’t hesitate to speak to your vet.

Persistent Coughing

Although it’s normal for your pooch to cough every so often, persistent coughing could indicate that there is something more serious going on. Long-lasting coughs could be a sign of a serious health problem for your dog, and even be a cause of cardiac issues or pneumonia. Obviously, persistent coughing makes a sound, so you will know whether it’s right to visit your vet or not. If your dog has a kennel cough, for example, one of the best remedies to try out is manuka honey.

Jaundice

If you have noticed your dog’s skin yellowing, jaundice may be the cause which should be treated as an emergency. Jaundice is usually the first sign of kidney or liver failure, so if your dog is presenting red flags, you must call your vet immediately. Should your dog have jaundice, their organs will no longer be able to filter toxins out of their blood, resulting in a yellow-hued skin. There are additional health symptoms that your dog may experience if they have jaundice, including loss of appetite, lethargy, and weakness. You may notice a change in their feces, which can have an orange tint. The sooner you take your dog to the vet, the better, as they can provide a course of treatment and action plan to nurse your pooch back to health.

Lethargy

Most dog breeds love nothing more than to go on walks and explore new territories. While it’s normal for your dog to act lazy every once in a while, if they begin sleeping for longer and lying around the house, there could be something up. Inevitably, your dog’s age will play a factor in this. If your pooch has entered their senior years, they may not have the energy and stamina like they used to. However, if you have a pup who is disinterested in exercise, there could be something more sinister bubbling under the surface, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Any concerns should be addressed with your vet as they can perform an examination and give your dog a full-rounded checkup.

Unusual Behavior

As dog owners, we tend to know our canines inside out. Each dog will have their own personality and character, but you should be able to pinpoint if they’re acting differently. For instance, if your dog is normally loving and happy to be by your side but is now becoming agitated and aggressive, this is a sure-fire sign that there is a problem. When you are in pain or discomfort, you may become cranky. The same can happen with your dog, so don’t put off going to see your vet if you believe your pooch is playing up. There are a wide range of reasons why your dog may be showing signs of aggression, and in most cases, you can fix the matter and get your dog back to their old self.

If any of the signs above resonate with your dog’s current condition, it’s wise to contact your vet. No owner wants to see their dog in pain or discomfort, so you mustn’t hold off making an appointment. Speaking to a professional can be a great way to gain advice and support to keep your dog living its best life.

10 Things to Pack for Summer Camp for Your Kids

June 9, 2021 by Mandy

Summer camp is just around the corner! It’s hard to believe how fast this year has gone, but now it’s time to send your kids to some of the best weeks of their lives, where they make new friends and conquer their fears. Packing is a big task to accomplish because you want to make sure your kids have everything they need for the week or two they’ll be away.

Packing for summer camp is different than packing for vacation. Summer camps vary in what they have the kids do — your child may participate in high ropes courses, horseback riding, swimming, sports, acting or any other activity you can think of for a summer camp. That’s why it’s essential to check with your child’s specific camp to pack items that are essential for their week.

You also need to consider how long your child will be at camp. Are they attending a day camp? Will they be staying overnight for an extended period? For first-timers, reach out to other camper parents or staff to get details about the best times to arrive, where to go and what forms you need.

Below, you’ll find a list of 10 things to pack for summer camp for your kids to lessen your stress!

1. Clothes

Clothes are necessary for camp, and you’ll need to pack extra if your kids are staying for a longer time. Pack a mixture of long and short sleeve shirts. Also, add a mix of comfortable shorts and pants, and even a pair of jeans or two for activities like horseback riding or walking into the woods.

Make sure you pack plenty of underwear and socks. Other things to pack include sweatshirts, swimsuits, pajamas and any other clothing needed for camp activities.

2. Shoes

Though you don’t need to pack 20 pairs of shoes, it’s good to have a variety of shoes for the week. Here are some shoe suggestions to consider packing for camp:

Sneakers, or even a couple pairs in case one gets wet
Flip flops
Water shoes
Rain boots
Sturdy hiking boots
Cleats for sports camps
Sandals with a heel strap

You don’t need all of these shoe types, but these are typical for summer camps. Again, check with the staff or the information packet so you know what shoes to bring.

3. Personal Hygiene Items

Your child will also need personal hygiene items. Most camps don’t completely “rough it,” and there are going to be showers. Camp counselors don’t want a bunch of muddy kids in one room without a shower!

Personal hygiene items include shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, washcloth, towel, feminine products, hairbrush and anything else your child uses to stay clean. Travel-sized items work great for camp because you won’t have to worry about your child leaving a whole bottle of shampoo at the camp!

4. Rain Gear

It’s summer, and it’s bound to rain at some point. That might be during the week your child is at camp. Make sure you pack rain gear in case of inclement weather, like:

Rain boots
Poncho
Rain jacket
Umbrella
Extra clothes and shoes
Water-proof shoes
Water-proof phone case if your child is allowed to bring their phone

These items are always great to have for campers. They’ll keep your child mostly dry and comfortable.

5. Medications and Contact Lenses

If your child takes prescription medication, ensure you pack a two-week supply. Usually, there is a camp nurse who administers medicine to your child. Ensure that you label your child’s medications, too, and provide a complete schedule of when your child has to take the medicine. Keep the medicine in the original prescription bottles.

If your child wears daily contact lenses, then make sure you label and pack those as well. Always pack extra in case one gets damaged.

6. Comfort Items

Some kids do well being away from their families. Other kids may have to take time for adjustment. Packing inexpensive comfort items can help that transition from home to camp.

These items might include a soft blanket, pillow, stuffed animal or photos of the family. Try not to pack something precious because you don’t want it to get lost while your kids are at camp!

7. Sleeping Equipment

Depending on the camp, they might provide sleeping gear. However, on most occasions, your child will need to bring their own sleeping equipment. Here are some things to pack:

Sleeping bag
Sheets
Blankets
Pillows

You might want to pack an extra set of sheets in case one set gets dirty or wet.

8. Sun and Bug Protection

Your kids will be outside quite a bit during the day. Packing sun and bug protection is a must. Make sure your kids have plenty of sunscreen, and remind them to reapply it often. Additionally, they can pack a hat and sunglasses to keep the sun out of their eyes.

Bugs come out in the summertime. Pack bug repellent and bug bite care in case your child gets bit or stung.

9. Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Check out this list of other camping items your child may want to bring:

Journal and pens
Disposable camera
Swim goggles and beach towel
Backpack
Mesh laundry bag
Reusable water bottle
Pre-addressed envelopes
Flashlight
Fan
Bible for Christian camps
Deck of cards
Books
Something to tie-dye
Bandana

These are all great extras to bring along.

10. Forms and Money

Finally, don’t forget any important forms that your child’s camp staff needs. These might include medical documents and consent forms. Additionally, pack a little extra cash for the camp store, and bring money if you need to pay for the rest of the camp fee.

All Packed and Ready to Go!

Create a list of items to pack and check them off as you go when packing your kids’ bags. Then, send them off to the best part of their summer!

What Makes Barbados a Favored Honeymoon Destination?

May 31, 2021 by Mandy

Barbados is located in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies. The Caribbean island is a popular vacation destination, and a Barbados honeymoon will probably be your best wedding gift to one another.

The vibrant local culture and the stunning beauty of the sea, along with its history, will give you several experiences, each better than the next. Here are a few things that make Barbados a much-preferred honeymoon destination.

1. Private Cruises

If you want to go around the Caribbean islands, you can get some of the best cruise options in Barbados. Charter a boat and travel the islands as you will. Each island will mesmerize you with its unique beauty. The cruises take you to some of the most stunning beaches, and you can disembark and explore to your heart’s content.

2. Dreamy Sunsets

While the tropical islands will always give you some stunning sunsets to remember, the beauty of the Barbados skyline takes it a notch higher. The Barbados Boardwalk is a popular haunt just south of Bridgetown. The scenery, the atmosphere, and the seats along the walk make for a perfect viewing experience of the sunset with your beloved by your side.

3. Submarine Tours

For newlyweds who want some adventure in their honeymoon, Barbados provides a unique experience of submarine tours. Both of you can explore the Atlantis submarine together, a most sought-after activity in Barbados. You can also opt for an underwater sailing experience on the west coast. You can visit the reefs and see the tropical marine life in their natural habitat through the viewing port of your vehicle.

4. Cave Explorations

Few tropical islands present you with the opportunity to explore caves, and Barbados has the best of them. Do not miss the Harrison cave, which is considered one of the earth’s natural wonders. It is also considered one of Barbados’ Seven Wonders.

The underground cave system has jaw-dropping stalactite and stalagmite formations, and you will discover new things about cave geology on the trip. The explorations are as adventurous as they are interesting.

5. Surfing Together

Surfing together is one of the most fun activities that you can try out on your honeymoon. Even if you are a beginner surfer, you will have many trained surfers to guide you through the basics. The eastern beaches are great for the purpose, while the western shores are great for snorkeling.

6. Visiting Marine Park

If the marine life excites you, then the Folkestone Marine Park, located at St. James, will enthrall you with the wild array of marine life. It is a beautiful place to spend the day together. You can also explore the site of a shipwreck nearby. It is now a popular spot for divers and snorkelers. You can end the tour with a lazy picnic or play tennis and be at peace with the beauty around you.

Barbados provides no shortage of activities, and this is why it tops the list of many honeymooners worldwide. A Barbados honeymoon will allow you to share the most exciting time of your lives with fun-filled activities and provide you with all the ingredients required to make your time as romantic and memorable as possible.

How Moms With Anxiety Can Flourish

May 28, 2021 by Mandy

If you are a mom with anxiety, your life can feel like a neverending walk through a minefield. Everywhere you look, danger seems to lurk.

You should seek professional treatment if your condition interferes with your ability to perform your daily tasks. However, you can also transform your tension levels into a superpower. Here’s how moms with anxiety can flourish and tips for doing so.

1. Master Your To-Do List

Even though you stay on the go from the time you wake up until you tumble into bed, you ensure everything gets completed. If you sometimes feel a bit frantic, it’s understandable — but you can harness the power of your anxiety to get your daily schedule and household running like a well-oiled machine.

One way to get organized is to create a chore chart that hangs on your refrigerator, allowing family members to cross off various tasks as they complete them. You might even set everyone’s device up with an organizational app that will help the entire clan remember soccer matches and missing grocery items.

You also understand that an uncertain future causes the worst of your fears. As such, you take measures to protect the ones you love by providing the coverage they need. You sleep better at night knowing that your loved ones will have the resources they need if you are no longer around to care for them.

2. Emphasize With a Struggling Colleague

If you have anxiety, you understand the struggle. Therefore, when someone else experiences severe distress, you recognize the signs and try to help. This empathy can accelerate your career.

Employers consistently rank empathy as one of the leading soft skills they prefer new hires to demonstrate. It helps you to read people and situations and respond appropriately. For example, someone who scores high in this personality trait may do well in customer service positions because they can relate to difficult clientele, letting them vent while remaining respectful.

However, management sometimes fails to understand how dealing with these scenarios, day in, day out, can affect you mentally, even physically. You do, though — and you’ll be there with words of support when you see your colleague get off a difficult call. Your empathy will draw others to you, which often speaks well for you when it’s time for promotions.

3. Soothe a Panicky Child

You can flourish as an anxious mom when it comes to soothing your child. You might be so gifted at it that other parents in your playgroup ask to borrow some of your magic.

For example, you understand that a lot of bad behavior stems from fear. Instead of telling your little one to “suck it up” before scary events like the first day of school, you help them prepare. You go for a test run — maybe three — introduce them to their teacher and put their minds at ease.

You also recognize that children sometimes act out when they need to process overwhelming emotions that they didn’t feel safe expressing at the time. You teach them positive coping skills, such as taking physical exercise and practicing deep breathing and pausing before responding when they feel upset.

4. Manage Challenging Scenarios

As a mom with anxiety, you might feel like you live most of your life in a fearful state. However, if you train yourself to differentiate between worry and genuine alarm, you can potentially save a life.

According to personal safety expert Gavin de Becker, worry is a choice — it is a fear that we manufacture. Genuine causes for alarm grab your attention and compel you to act if you aren’t distracted by artificial boogeymen.

However, part of your cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as a mom with anxiety teaches you to reframe worries, casting them in a more realistic light. For example, is it honestly true that one missed zero on a budget report will lead to job loss and homelessness? Probably not.

When you aren’t distracted by artificial worry that every adult could be a potential child predator, your “spidey senses” pay more careful attention to cues about those few bad apples you shouldn’t trust. Your mindfulness lets you eliminate those folks you need not concern yourself with so that you can hone in on genuine threats to your family’s safety.

5. Discover Healthy Outlets

As a mom with anxiety, you must develop healthy ways to cope with your disorder. These practices often result in improved physical and mental health overall.

For example, one of the best ways to release nervous tension is through physical exercise. Working out also tones your heart muscle, helping it work more efficiently and lowering your pulse and blood pressure. Heart disease remains the number one killer of both men and women — getting your daily activity decreases your risk.

Therapy also teaches you other mechanisms for easing anxiety, such as talking with a trusted friend or engaging in a hobby. You can pass these techniques on to your children to help them manage their emotions. Helping your kids develop emotional regulation is one way to improve their chances of overall success in life.

Moms With Anxiety, Flourish With These 5 Tips

The world can seem like a frightening place if you are a mom with anxiety. However, by using the five tips above, you can harness your condition and transform it into a superpower.