When a pet owner clicks “Get Directions,” they are usually close to taking action. They may be heading to an appointment, checking distance before calling, or deciding whether your clinic is convenient enough to choose.
That is why your directions link does not need to be a messy copied URL that breaks, points to the wrong pin, or sends people to a generic search result.
Quick answer
The safest Google Maps directions link uses the clinic name and full address, then gets tested on desktop and mobile before it is added to the website or campaign.
Where to use directions links
- Website contact page.
- Location pages.
- Appointment confirmation emails.
- Google Business Profile posts.
- SMS reminders when appropriate.
- Landing pages for local campaigns.
A simple directions-link format
For most clinics, use a Google Maps URL that includes the destination query. The format is simple: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Clinic+Name+Street+City+State+ZIP
Replace spaces with plus signs or URL encoding. Include the clinic name and full address to reduce ambiguity, especially if the practice has a common name or shares a building with other businesses.
What to test before using it
- Does the link open the correct map pin?
- Does it work on iPhone and Android?
- Does it still work in a private/incognito browser?
- Does the destination match the clinic’s Google Business Profile address?
- Does it avoid sending users to a general search results page?
Common mistakes
- Copying a long Maps URL with tracking junk that breaks later.
- Using an old address after a move.
- Linking to a similar clinic name in another city.
- Using a place ID or short link nobody has tested.
- Adding directions links to ads without checking mobile behavior.
Local SEO note
Directions clicks can be useful engagement, but do not treat them like a magic ranking hack. The real win is removing friction for people who already want to visit or evaluate the clinic. Clean location information, consistent citations, strong reviews, and useful pages still do the heavy lifting.
The bottom line
A good directions link is boring in the best way: it opens the right map, points to the right clinic, and makes the next step obvious. Test it before you trust it.
Want cleaner pet marketing decisions?
TailWerks helps veterinary and pet-care businesses clean up wasted ad spend, improve local visibility, and turn more of the right searches into booked calls.