What to set up before a new practice office opensHave the new office ready online before the doors open.
Before a new practice office opens, set up its online basics: a location page on your website, a verified Google Business Profile with your opening date, matching directory listings, online booking for that office's providers, and call and booking tracking. Google lets you add an opening date up to a year ahead, and a verified profile shows on Google in the 90 days before you open. In opening week, check every detail and announce the opening to your current patients.
This list covers what patients see online. Licensing, credentialing, insurance contracts and building work sit with your own advisers.
Once the address and phone are confirmed
- Settle the exact office name, address and phone you'll use everywhere.
- Create the Google Business Profile, add your opening date and start verification. Google lets you set the date up to a year ahead.
- Draft the location page on your website.
- Decide how you'll track calls and bookings for the new office.
In the 90 days before opening
- Once verified, the profile shows on Google in this window. Add posts and photos of the office as it comes together.
- Add the office to the main healthcare and local directories, with the same name, address and phone.
- Set up online booking for the new office's providers and appointment types.
- Set up intake for the new office in the tool your practice already uses.
Opening week
- Publish the location page and switch on booking for the new office.
- Check hours and phone on the website, the Google profile and every listing.
- Call each tracking number to check it rings at the right office.
- Announce the opening on your website, your Google profiles and to your current patients.
After opening
- Patients can start leaving reviews on the profile. Reply without confirming anyone is a patient or mentioning their care.
- Watch calls and bookings for the new office each month.
- Add search ads once everything above is live, if you want them.
Common gaps to check
- Hours that differ between the website and the Google profile.
- A booking link that still points to your first office.
- Two Google profiles for the same office.
- A listing with an old phone number.
How we help
Our New Location Launch sets up the online side of this list for each new office. Opening your first practice? See Practice Launch.
Frequently asked questions
What should a practice set up online before a new office opens?
A location page, a verified Google Business Profile with the opening date, matching directory listings, online booking for the new office and call and booking tracking.
How far ahead can we create the Google Business Profile?
Google lets you add an opening date up to one year ahead. After verification, the profile shows on Google in the 90 days before the opening date.
Can patients review the new office before it opens?
No. Google doesn't let users post reviews, photos or suggested edits on the profile until the business has opened.
Do we need a new website for the new office?
Usually not. Add a location page to your current site, if the site can grow by location. If it can't, that's the time to plan a rebuild.
What about patient intake and forms?
Use the intake tool your practice already uses, from a provider that signs a business associate agreement, and set it up for the new office. The website links to it and doesn't collect patient health information itself.
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