The legal  profession is very competitive. There are literally thousands of lawyers in Florida. Smart law firms realize that they need to do something to bring in new business and stand out from their competitors.

They simply can’t rely of relatives, friends, neighbors, and referrals from former clients and other lawyers.

It is important to understand how potential clients in today’s world go about finding a lawyer and for your law firm to implement a marketing strategy that works.

The main ways new clients find lawyers

Referrals

Referrals are still the main, and perhaps the best, source of obtaining new clients for law firms. Most clients, however, need to know more about the lawyer before making contact.

Recent surverys (see below) report that 59% of potential clients look for some kind of referral when looking for a lawyer.

Where do referrals come from?

• 32% come from friends and family members
• 16% come from other attorneys
• 9% come from non-legal professionals like accountants, banks, real estates, financial advisors, and accountants

Checking out a law firm on the Internet

Note that also according to the Law Review 70% of potential clients will “check out the lawyer” by looking for their website prior to making contact.

They want to know

• Does the lawyer specialize my type of case?
• Does he or she have good reviews or testimonials?
• Is the lawyer able to practice in my location?
• Can I get a free consultation?
• How much will it cost?
• How do I contact the lawyer?

If they can’t find your website, they will move on to another lawyer

Searching Online

Over 57% of clients stated that they shopped online for a lawyer.

They find a lawyer by using:

• Online search engines especially Google local. Is your firm listed there?
• Online reviews from sites like Yelp.
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• Lawyer directories such as the Florida Bar Association directory.
• Law firm blog posts, articles, and video content on YouTube

Social media

Which is the most popular search engine?

Your law firm must be found on Google search, Google Local, Google Business Profile listings, reviews, and law firm websites.  Younger clients especially trust the internet more that older ones.

Statistics show that 50% of millennial and Gen Z clients trust lawyers with website more than any others. These clients typically identify the most visible law firms on search engines and further research these top-performing firms using social media and law firm websites.

Marketing Plan

Here are some ways to get more leads.

•  Create a Highly Functional Website
• With 70% of clients who have been referred to your law firm checking you out and over 50% of people searching the internet, it is very important to have a website. Having a high-performing website is greatly beneficial to law firms who wish to generate more business.
• However, just creating a website is not enough. You need to consider the design, content, navigation, functionality, call to action, contact form, biographies, testimonials, articles, and more.

The website must also be mobile response (over 50% of web user search with a cell phone), SEO ready, and fast loading.

• Information must be clear without legal jargon and a potential client should find it easy to get answers to their concerns.
• And in Florida it is important to comply with the Florida Bar Association rules too.

SEO

Search Engine Optimization is the art of convincing the search engines that they should put your law firm results on the first page when a potential client searches for keywords like “Family Lawyer Fort Lauderdale”, Go ahead search for these terms and find out whom Google shows.

LINK

If your law firm is on the first page – CONGRATULATIONS.

If your website is not even found, why not=

Getting your website (if you have one at all) on the first page is critical for getting new clients who are searching. Clients rarely search more that the first or second page of results.

Keyword research

Getting on the first page of a search depends on your keyword phrase. If you are, for example a family lawyer, you might think that “Family matters Lawyer Fort Lauderdale” is the best keyword that people use. But research might tell you that the more common keyword phrase is  “Family attorney Fort Lauderdale” if that is the case, then use these words in your content instead. Only keyword research can tell which keyword phrase is better.

Content

Your content needs to mention your keyword phrase. It should be in the page ame, heading, and often in the content – bu not too often or the search engines will penalize your for spamming.

Your images too should mention your keyword.

Tip: Don’t use the same keyword phrase on every page. And don’t make a one-page website with so much content that the search engines cannot determine what is the main topic of the web page.

Social Media

Potential clients not only use search engines to find a lawyer but also search websites like Facebook, Instagram, Printerest, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter). You should be on these website with a link back to your website.

(If you don’t have time to write new fresh content, we can do it for you.)

Email newsletter

Many lawyers also send a monthly newsletter to their clients to keep them informed with news and articles. (We also offer these services.)

Articles

A very good way to draw traffic to you website is to write articles (don’t call them Blogs unless your really have to time to engage with comments and answers).

(Again, we can write articles for you.)

If a potential client finds valuable information from you on the Internet they are more likely to trust you and, more importantly, visit your website and contact you.

sue that they are facing. If a client finds valuable information on your website or through your social media, they are more likely to trust that you have the knowledge and experience necessary to win their case. The trust that can be established through informational written content is a key part of how clients choose a law firm.

In addition to establishing credibility and reputation among potential clients, written content also provides an opportunity to boost SEO and ultimately increase traffic to your law firm’s website. Consistency is key with this strategy, and it is necessary to post informational content on a regular basis to generate these leads.

Reviews

In addition to having testimonials and case studies, it is important to get reviews on websites like Yelp and Avvo.

Conclusion

In addition to having a website, these marketing techniques will go a long way to making your law firm the number one choice of clients.

Let us help you implement these ideas today.