Authored By: Alicia Lammers
A positive or negative review can have a big impact on a firm. Studies found in 2017, 97 percent of people read online reviews as part of their buying process and 85 percent trusted them more than recommendations from family and friends. Online reviews can help expand the number of people you reach and potential future clients. Let’s look at ways you can get some positive reviews!
Where do I start?
The two best websites to start with are Facebook and Google. You can have reviews on multiple sites, but Facebook and Google are the places most consumers will look at first.
Google.
This is where people will find your firm. Having multiple positive reviews will bring you closer to the top of a Google search depending on what they are searching.
Let’s say your firm and another firm both cover medical malpractice cases in Nashville, TN. The only difference between your firm and the other firm is you have more positive reviews online. Because you have more positive reviews with Google this will bring your firm before the other firm in a search to find lawyers in the Nashville, TN area.
Google knows consumers are influenced by ratings and will be more likely to hire an attorney based on an online presence. The more positive reviews you have the easier it is for potential clients to find your firm online.
Facebook.
People look to Facebook usually after they have found your firm via Google. When people search on Facebook, they are performing a “branded search,” which means they know your firm, they’ve done some research, and are now looking to your social media pages for more information.
Facebook provides validation for potential clients. Your Facebook presence may have a combination of pictures, videos, and posts but is incomplete without reviews from previous clients.
Facebook reviews have a name and picture unlike Google where anyone can write a review and they can do so anonymously.
How do I get reviews?
Start by asking clients to leave reviews after a case goes well. Ask them in person and later via email as you have wrapped up their case. You can email them links to your Google My Business and Facebook page.
For more information on how reviews can help your law firm, click here.
Photo Credit: Jakub Jirsak
