Google Ads for Mental Health Practices

> Part 1 – Conversion Tracking

Part 2 – Know Your Marketing Goals

Part 3 – Budget and Patient Lifetime Value

Part 4 – Ad Rank and Quality Score

Part 5 – Keyword Research

Part 6 – Targeting High Intent Searches

Part 7 – Profitable Bidding Strategies

Part 8 – Creating Effective Ad Copy

Part 9 – Bonus! Campaign Settings

Identifying Conversion Actions for Mental Health Practices

Let’s consider a hypothetical mental health practice based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Potential conversion actions on their website might include phone calls to the practice, form submissions by potential patients, or even downloads of a lead magnet.

It’s essential to define what constitutes a conversion for your practice and ensure these actions are tracked accurately.

For phone calls, which are a common conversion type for mental health practices, setting up conversion tracking involves determining an appropriate call duration to qualify as a conversion.

Google offers free phone tracking for a single number, but for multiple numbers or more detailed tracking, third-party services like CallRail or Call Tracking Metrics may be preferred.

Form submissions represent another crucial conversion type.

Whether it’s a contact form, appointment booking form, or a request for more information, ensuring these submissions are tracked correctly is key.

Often, a form submission will redirect the user to a ‘thank you’ page, which can easily be tracked as a conversion.

Implementing Conversion Tracking

Before diving into campaign building, it’s vital to set up conversion tracking on your website.

This process involves identifying valuable actions on your site and reporting them back to Google.

Using Google Tag Manager (GTM) is highly recommended for this purpose.

GTM simplifies the management of tracking codes and allows for easier deployment of conversion tracking without needing direct access to the website’s code.

When setting up conversion actions in Google Ads, it’s important to categorize them accurately.

For mental health practices, booking an appointment or submitting a lead form are typical actions that should be tracked.

Assigning a value to each conversion, deciding on a conversion window (the period after a click during which a conversion is counted), and choosing the right attribution model are critical steps in this process.

Navigating the Complexity of Conversion Tracking

The setup and management of conversion tracking can be complex, especially with the nuances of different conversion types and the technical aspects of implementation.

However, the effort is well worth it. Accurate conversion tracking is the foundation upon which Google Ads campaigns are optimized, enabling practices to reach their target audience more effectively and efficiently.

In addition to technical setup, understanding the strategic importance of different conversion types helps inform smarter campaign decisions.

Primary conversions, such as phone calls and form submissions, directly impact campaign optimization and should be distinguished from secondary conversions, which are more for informational purposes.

Conclusion: Setting Sail Toward Success

In conclusion, mastering Google Ads for mental health practices is akin to navigating a vast ocean.

With conversions as your compass, you can steer your practice toward the shores of success, reaching potential patients who are seeking the support you offer.

The journey requires attention to detail, from defining conversions to implementing accurate tracking, but the destination—a thriving practice enriched by meaningful client connections—is well worth the voyage.

As we continue this series, we’ll delve deeper into other aspects of Google Ads, including setting goals and optimizing campaigns.

By building on the foundation of accurate conversion tracking, mental health practices can harness the full potential of Google Ads to grow their practice and make a lasting impact in the lives of those they serve.

Next Up! > Know Your Marketing Goals