Law practices are among the most competitive industries on the web. One way to ensure your practice stands out is through client reviews.
Word of mouth has traditionally been a significant driving force for many attorneys. Customer reviews are viewed by readers much in the same way as a recommendation from a friend or family member. According to a BrightLocal survey, 87% of consumers read online reviews when researching a local business. Additionally, the average consumer reads at least ten reviews before they begin to trust an unfamiliar business.
Client reviews increases business
Encouraging clients to share their experience builds loyalty and increases the likelihood of not only repeat business but referrals too. Providing clients with the opportunity to share their positive experience in working with you is not only a great relationship-building tactic but an effective business development strategy.
Client reviews is simply an effective form of marketing. Long after an online review has been published, potential clients can access and reference the information. When others see positive reviews, and have had a similar experience, they are more likely to leave a review themselves. This contributes to increased visibility online and helps your site naturally rank higher on google with very little effort on your part.
Online client reviews are an essential avenue for gaining attention and increasing awareness of your practice.
But how do you encourage clients to leave reviews?
Simple! For starters, you need to provide a platform where clients can leave reviews. Google My Business, for example, is considered a go-to among clients for local business reviews. Yelp, Facebook, and Lawyers.com are additional review platforms your clients may be searching for your law practice reviews.
Once you have set up a profile on a review platform, get the word out to your clients. There is no harm in asking past and current clients to leave you a review. Most people will be more than happy to leave you a review.
Create a contact list and send out an email stating that you are thankful for the client’s business, and you would be grateful if they could provide you with an online review. Don’t forget to include the links to your review profiles to make it easy for everyone. Keep the reviews flowing by responding to these reviews with an acknowledgement or “thank you note’ within 24 hours of receiving one. This will signal to potential clients reading reviews, as well as the search engines, that you are attentive and have a good response time.
Reviews will be your competitive edge
Undoubtedly, customer reviews are here to stay. They offer an effective way to communicate with potential clients that your law practice is right for their legal needs. Don’t wait to get started. Reviews will prove to be a significant competitive edge if you make it part of your business strategy. If your law firm needs assistance establishing an ongoing client review program, call Bardorf Legal Marketing to learn how we can help.
