Why Dental Practices Across the North East Need Virtual Tours & Google Maps Optimisation

When someone searches for:

• “dentist near me”
• “NHS dentist Sunderland”
• “private dentist South Shields”
• “emergency dentist Newcastle”

they are usually looking to book an appointment quickly.

In fact, 88% of customers who search locally on their phone visit or contact a business within 24 hours.

That means your Google listing is often the first impression potential patients have of your practice.

Why Virtual Tours Are So Powerful for Dental Practices

Choosing a dentist is often based on:

• Cleanliness
• Professionalism
• Equipment
• Treatment rooms
• Waiting areas
• Overall appearance

Potential patients want to feel confident and comfortable before booking.

A virtual tour allows them to:

• Walk through your practice online
• View treatment rooms
• See reception and waiting areas
• Experience the environment
• Feel reassured before attending

This helps reduce anxiety and builds trust before their first appointment.

Dental Virtual Tour Statistics

Research shows immersive content can influence customer decisions:

• Businesses with virtual tours are 2x more likely to generate interest
• Listings with immersive content receive up to 87% more engagement
• Customers spend up to 5–10x longer on listings that include virtual tours
• 67% of people say online imagery influences their decision
• 74% of customers are more likely to visit a business with a virtual tour

For dental practices, this can directly influence appointment bookings.

Why Google Maps Optimisation Matters for Dentists

When someone searches locally for a dentist, Google often displays the top three practices in the Map 3-Pack.

Businesses featured here receive up to 44% of total clicks.

Local search data shows:

• 46% of all Google searches are for local information
• 76% of people who search nearby visit within a day
• 28% of local searches result in a purchase

Optimising your Google Business Profile helps your practice:

• Appear higher in local searches
• Increase appointment enquiries
• Get more phone calls
• Generate direction requests
• Attract new patients

Combining Virtual Tours with Google Maps Optimisation

When you combine:

• A professional virtual tour
• An optimised Google Maps listing
• Positive patient reviews
• High quality imagery

potential patients can:

• Discover your practice
• Explore your facilities
• Read reviews
• Contact you
• Get directions

All without leaving Google.

Stand Out From Other Dental Practices Across the North East

Many practices still rely on:

• Basic photos
• Outdated listings
• Minimal online updates

Adding a virtual tour and optimising your listing helps your practice:

• Rank higher locally
• Improve patient confidence
• Increase bookings
• Improve visibility
• Convert searches into real appointments

Go Local 360 helps dental practices across the North East improve their visibility through immersive Matterport virtual tours and expert Google Maps optimisation.