The Verdict Is In: How to Make Your Law Firm Mobile-Friendly
January 18th, 2016 by
The Internet is not contained to just desktop computers anymore. With the massive proliferation of mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets, and phablets, users have the Internet wherever they go, and that means there are a lot of mobile search inquiries. In fact, according to Google, more people search using mobile devices than with desktop computers worldwide.
Importance for Law Firms
What this means is that your law firm must be optimized for mobile searches in order to be found, especially by younger generations. Think about it: when a smartphone user needs timely legal advice to handle a situation such as a car accident, they will immediately use it to search for a reputable law firm. And the closer your law firm is to the top of the mobile search rankings, the more likely your firm is to receive that phone call.
Whether on desktop or mobile, more and more people are using the Internet to find a lawyer. Citing a survey conducted by Moses & Rooth Attorneys at Law and Mike Blumenthal, Will Scott notes that 15.5 percent of those searching for legal assistance use the Internet. He also points out that those between the ages of 18 and 24 have a stronger inclination to search for legal representation using the Internet.
Become Mobile-friendly
But how can your tell if your law firm is optimized for mobile searches? Google Analytics will provide you with the tools you need to know if your website is up to its standards. Some things to pay attention to when optimizing your site for mobile is your site speed, internal links, how many images are used, the word count, and strong social signals. These elements all affect your search rankings, communicating to Google whether or not your website is mobile-friendly.
In addition to having a site that is easy to find on Google, you’ll also want to implement strategies to convert mobile website hits into clients. Adding a click-to-call button to your website will allow users to easily call your office so they can arrange a meeting for a consultation. A simple inquiry form is also important to implement on your website so mobile users can fill in the fields with pertinent information about their case without having to wait to find a desktop to do so.
It is also important to understand what your potential clients will be putting into the search box. Besides specific and location-targeted keywords, Blue Nile research has discovered that 27 percent of search engine users form their searches as questions. That means when a potential client searches for a law firm, over 1 in 4 people will search for phrases such as “where can I find a medical malpractice lawyer?” or “how can I fight a ____ charge?” A detailed and informative FAQ page will help lead these searches to your law firm. Not only does the FAQ page help for search engine optimization purposes, but it also benefits the user experience. A potential client will see the detailed information that answers their question and gain confidence that the site of your law firm has the solution to their legal matters. And with the aforementioned click-to-call button, the initial consultation meeting will be set up with effortlessly.
As the world transitions further and further into the digital realm, it is important for your law firm to understand how to stand out from the other law firms online. Search Influence is here to make sure your website is optimized for mobile searches to convert hits to consultations.
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