The verdict in three sentences
For a Manchester private clinic group with three sites, choose a Google Business Profile provider first on its ability to answer reviews without ever confirming someone is a patient, then on keeping opening hours and services accurate across sites. Score every candidate on a 100 point grid during meetings and drop anyone under 70, whatever the price. The 2026 market sits at roughly 100 to 350 GBP per site per month depending on service level.
Why a clinic profile is a special case
Patients search 'private GP Didsbury' or 'physio open Saturday Manchester' and call the first number shown. Wrong hours cost more than a lost booking. Reviews also tend to mention health: a reply such as 'sorry your treatment did not help' publicly confirms a patient relationship, which conflicts with UK GDPR and with GMC guidance on confidentiality when responding to online reviews. CQC registered providers must also display their CQC rating on their website, so profile links should point to pages that carry it.
| Service level (market) | Price per site per month (2026 estimate) | Reviews | Opening hours | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 100 to 150 GBP | Reply within 5 days | Updated on request | 1 post a month |
| Intermediate | 150 to 250 GBP | Reply within 48 h, clinical reply guidelines | Weekly check, bank holidays planned | 2 to 4 posts a month |
| Advanced | 250 to 350 GBP | Reply within 24 h, escalation to clinical lead | Same day changes | 4 posts, service photos |
For three sites, the intermediate level is 450 to 750 GBP a month, the sensible minimum for a group with extended hours.
The 100 point scoring grid
| Criterion | Points | What earns full marks |
|---|---|---|
| Review reply guidelines respecting confidentiality | 20 | Written guidelines, neutral examples, sign off by your clinical lead |
| Hours and bank holiday management | 15 | Weekly process, same day updates |
| Profile ownership | 15 | Your company primary owner of all 3, stated in the contract |
| Reporting per site | 15 | Weekly report: calls, directions, reviews, rating |
| Healthcare experience | 10 | Examples of clinic profiles, awareness of CQC and GMC guidance |
| Review response time | 10 | 48 h or less, serious reviews escalated same day |
| Reversibility and term | 10 | 12 months maximum, no exit fee |
| Price and quote clarity | 5 | Per site price, each level itemised |
| Total | 100 | Recommended threshold: 70 |
Price carries only 5 points on purpose: a 50 GBP monthly gap per site matters little next to a confidentiality breach in a public reply.
Red flags in meetings
| Red flag | What it reveals | Points to deduct |
|---|---|---|
| One template for every review | No awareness of clinical context | 10 |
| Offer to buy or generate reviews | Breach of Google policy and UK consumer law on fake reviews | Disqualifying |
| Profiles created in the provider's account | Loss of control at contract end | 15 |
| No bank holiday process | Wrong hours at Christmas and Easter | 10 |
| Reports limited to screenshots | No comparison between sites | 5 |
| 24 month term with penalties | Provider avoiding accountability | 10 |
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Dr Amira Shah, medical director of a three site private clinic group in Didsbury, Altrincham and Manchester city centre, receives three proposals. Offer A at 120 GBP per site scores 54 points (no guidelines, provider owned profiles). Offer B at 200 GBP scores 82. Offer C at 330 GBP scores 85. She picks B: 600 GBP a month. If better profiles bring 15 extra appointments per site per month at 60 GBP margin each, the group gains 2,700 GBP of monthly margin, four and a half times the cost.
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FAQ
Can we reply to a review that mentions treatment?
Not with any detail: keep replies general, never confirm the person is a patient, and invite them to call reception. Two to three neutral sentences are enough.
How many profiles does a three site group need?
One per site open to patients, so three. Multiple services within one site are better listed as services than as extra profiles.
How often should hours be checked?
Weekly, and on the same day for any change. For the 8 bank holidays in England, schedule updates 3 to 5 days in advance.
What is a realistic yearly budget?
At the intermediate market level, 5,400 to 9,000 GBP a year for three sites. Add a photo shoot of 300 to 800 GBP per site once a year.
What does Kolonell offer?
A visibility audit at 100,000 FCFA, about 152 EUR, deducted from setup if you start within 30 days, then monthly plans from about 191 EUR to about 534 EUR on 12 months, with weekly reporting.
Get found by the patients who are searching for you. Start with a 100,000 FCFA (about 152 EUR) visibility audit of your three clinic profiles, then a Traffic Engine plan sized for your group, with a weekly report per site on calls and directions. Traffic Engine. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
