There are more than 6.5 billion mobile devices in use worldwide today, significantly more than the number of Internet users. Consumers are adopting new technology as fast as it becomes available and expect to be connected at all times in order to find the products and services they need. Today’s multi-tasking consumers depend on their trusty smartphones for so many important activities. And to stay in front of these phone-dependent clients, savvy attorneys who want to advance their businesses and leverage technology are jumping into mobile. It’s like the first days of the Internet when early adopters launched websites for their law practices – got ahead of their competitors – and have reaped the benefits ever since.
Mobile Apps Are Exploding
One way to connect with on-the-go clients is through a mobile app. A mobile application (or mobile app) is software designed to run on smartphones, tablet computers and other mobile devices. The term “app” has become so popular that it was listed as “Word of the Year” in 2010. Mobile applications are the next frontier and the industry is predicted to skyrocket over 1,000% in the next three years to a $56 billion market (Gartner Group).
The popularity of mobile applications has continued to rise, as their usage has become increasingly prevalent across mobile phone users. Last year, comScore, an Internet analytics company, reported that more mobile subscribers used apps than browsed the web on their devices.
Engage Your Clients, Grow Your Business
Although you may consider using a mobile app to help you work smarter, faster, or more efficiently, perhaps the best use of a mobile app for most attorneys is simply to keep your current clients engaged. As an attorney, one of your greatest assets is your client base. Your clients are your best source of repeat business and referrals. A key to success is your ability to retain those clients. Think of the power of staying connected with your clients through the privacy of their personal mobile phone.
A mobile app that is downloaded to your client’s smartphone and is branded with your firm’s name, photo, and logo will have many long-term benefits for your business. An app can offer your clients several useful features and reinforce the idea that “I am your attorney” and “I am available when you need me.” When you tell potential clients that you are accessible, now you can also show them by downloading your custom “My Attorney” app. Establishing yourself early in the mobile market will help retain existing clients, attract new clients, and differentiate your firm from your competition.
Here are just a few of the benefits of offering your clients the “My Attorney” mobile app:
- Stay in touch with your clients
- Keep clients informed about the law and your firm
- Give clients with active cases easy access to you and to the information they need
- Get referrals via your client base with a click of a button
- Differentiate your law firm from your competitors
- Establish your firm as cutting edge and engaged with latest technology
A branded app like this can offer customized forms of communication with clients, including leads and referrals. It can also include links to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or any other social network; the ability to distribute notifications and newsletters directly to client phones; and much more. Other popular features such as direct call to cell or office, instant messaging, access to relevant documents, GPS and directions to your office or court, pictures, and videos make it easier for your clients to do business with you and refer you to others in need of legal expertise.
Why Mobile?
If you knew then what you know now about Internet marketing would you have launched your website sooner? Would you have done things differently? Mobile is the fastest growing industry in history. Offering a mobile app is one way you can increase client loyalty, generate referrals, differentiate yourself from the competition, and stay on the forefront of this exciting new technology. Don’t get left behind. To find out more about mobile marketing for attorneys, contact Bardorf Legal Marketing at BardorfMarketing.com.
Ian M. Bardorf is an Internet marketing, mobile marketing, and social media advisor to attorneys and law firms seeking to grow and advance their business via the web. This article is copyrighted as original content by Ian M. Bardorf and Bardorf Legal Marketing. This article may be reproduced or republished with appropriate attribution and credit.
