How Lawyers Can Protect Their Online Image
The online reviews you receive as a lawyer can help you drive your firm forward, at the same time it can also hinder your growth. You need an effective online reputation management strategy. Yes, this may sound like jargon, but when done correctly, it is a way to improve your firms image and client numbers.
Your law firm can show on numerous websites and platforms including the well-known ones, such as Facebook, Google, and Yelp. Your firm can be on sites you didn't even know you were listed on, making it hard to monitor and know what clients are staying about you.
Reputation management is about focusing on the monitoring and responding to reviews and mentions. It is a smart approach that can increase your ranking in search results, attracting more clients.
The majority of your clients will be coming to you because something has gone wrong and they have found themselves in a serious situation and need legal help. Choosing the right lawyer is a major decision and they need reassurance, this is where online reviews come in.
Online reviews are holding more weight in clients decision making than in the past. Did you know:
Many lawyers do not fully recognise the importance of online reputation management as a strategic process. As a lawyer, you should ask your happy clients to write a review. They key to doing this honestly and ethically ensures clients write honest reviews that help potential clients make their lawyer selection.
Don't be shy when asking for reviews. Studies found that 7 out of 10 clients will review your firm if you ask them.
The good news about reputation management, in addition to protecting your online image, is that you can turn the negative into a positive, just in how you respond to reviews. Even if every review you have is positive, it can raise suspicion on whether they are real or not. It is imperative that you take the time to respond to every review, both the positive and negative. Ironically, one or two negative reviews increases the credibility of the positive reviews, showing authenticity.
Of course, you don't want negative reviews, especially after all the hard work and effort you have put in to build your reputation as a lawyer, which is why it's imperative you handle negative reviews with care. This involves responding to the negative review quickly and professionally, acknowledging the problem, thanking the client for bringing the problem to your attention, while providing a solution.
It is essential your response makes your client feel heard and understood, showing your focus on customer satisfaction. You never know by handling the problem in a timely and professional manner, you may be able to turn the negative into a positive, while showing potential clients you care about their feedback and client satisfaction.
Professional online reputation management is an effective way for lawyers to protect their online image, helping to drive more clients to your firm, giving you a competitive edge, and helping you compete against bigger firms online. If you need help managing your online image, get in touch with Genie Crawl today to find out more.
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