Google Maps has become a modern requirement — both for wandering motorists as well as for businesses who want to strengthen their marketing results. Besides directing clients to your law firm, Google Maps can make your business more visible and appealing to local consumers. It is worth exploring Google Maps to discover if your law firm is using this helpful tool to its fullest capability. When a business optimizes the potential of Google Maps, it can enjoy more website traffic and hover higher in search engine rankings. Even if you already use Google Maps, perhaps it is time to enhance the way you manage your listing, by employing a few simple techniques.

How Can You Improve Your Google Maps Listing?

Google Maps is important for any business, but especially for smaller businesses. Optimizing your business listing on Google Maps can get you noticed in local listings. Here are a few points to consider as you examine and improve your Google Maps listing. 

Manage a Compelling Website

First things first. Before optimizing your search engine results through Google Maps, make sure you have a value-added, hospitable site for visitors to land once they click on your listing. Your law firm’s website should have relevant information that will give visitors what they seek. Your valuable content and compelling visuals should rest on a well-designed backdrop. In addition to design and content, the basic information must be complete and consistent with your Google Maps listing. Confirm that your law firm’s name, address and all contact information is the same on every site and social media platform you use. Google’s curious algorithm requires an exact match of all basic information if the search engine bots are going to navigate their way around. Search engines esteem businesses that have the profile and contact information in order, because this usually signifies that the website is reliable and the content is valuable to consumers. Important components of a compelling website include: 

• A large quantity of well-crafted content
• Mobile-friendly material
• Fast-loading pages
• Links to your law firm’s social media platforms
• Updated content with no broken links
• A variety of material, including photos, video clips, and client testimonials
• An About Us Page
• An FAQ page

Update Your Google My Business Page 

Besides combing through and tweaking your law firm website, it is crucial to set up or enhance your Google My Business (GMB) account. Google Maps and Google My Business are solidly connected, and they impact each other. There are a few easy ways to scrutinize and improve your GMB page:

Set Up Your GMB Page

You can easily set up a new Google My Business account and claim your business listing, but this is just the first step. Confirm that your profile and contact information are completed entirely, and after every field has been filled in, make sure that all of your specific contact information is consistent with your website and all other places online. This will make it easier for those search engine bots to crawl to and fro, discovering and cataloging information about your business. 

Establish Correct Location

It is critical that your law firm’s location is entered correctly, and this might mean that you include your entire service area — not just the town where your office is situated. If your law firm serves clients in Dallas, but your location is an outlying suburb, you may not be gathering in all potential traffic for your locality. 

Verify Your Consistent NAP

Make sure that your contact information includes the name, address and phone number (NAP) and that it has been entered correctly. When optimizing your business for Google Maps, it is important for your NAP to be entered the same way everywhere it can be found across the internet. 

Include Photos and Video

In addition to a cover photo, logo and profile shots, accompany your GMB page with updated, professional quality photos. These may include office and location shots, as well as candids of law firm team members shown at community events, or featured in the news. 

Video segments can spotlight your team, introducing members to prospective clients. Recently Google introduced an augmented reality version of Google Maps, which will enable consumers to view your location outside and inside in real time. This offers an appealing way to showcase your law firm and attract more traffic to your website. 

Supplement with Q & A

Answer typical questions that consumers ask in the Q & A section of Google My Business, and according to the rules, it is ethical to write and post your own relevant questions. Use this feature to your law firm’s advantage, because it is a simple and concise way to advertise your brand and to inform prospective clients. Answer all user questions professionally and promptly, even those with a negative edge.

Gather More Positive Reviews

Request a review from every satisfied client. You may need to nudge even happy clients with a few gentle reminders, and provide them with a convenient link to make leaving their review easier. The online checkout process or the wrap-up email you send out are possible places to ask for a client review, and make sure you thank them for taking the time to do it. Reviews are powerful advertising for your law firm and they make a definite impact on your rankings. Local searchers rely heavily on reviews left by past clients and they influence a potential client’s decision to hire your law firm. Take care to monitor and respond to all reviews in a timely and professional manner. 

Display Events and Media Articles

Your Google My Business page provides spaces to announce charitable events with which your law firm is involved, as well as spots to post articles and media spotlights. These function as additional advertising, but they eventually expire, so keep everything current by adding content continually. 

Gain Local Links

Building links between your law firm website and other websites is another way to accelerate your marketing efforts and enrich your Google My Business site. Links will impress the search engine bots, give your law firm positive exposure, and provide solid referrals to potential local clients. Start by searching for businesses who might be able to link up to your law firm’s website on their website or social media platform.  If you are wondering which businesses to reach out to, start by viewing your own business connections and those of your local competitors. Here are some additional ideas for gathering more local links:

• Donate to local nonprofits
• Get involved with schools in your area
• Search for business partners that pair well with your law firm
• Win a local contest
• Ask companies you associate with
• Join a local business group
• Start a Better Business Bureau membership

How Law Quill Can Help 

Optimizing for Google Maps is a smart step in an effective marketing plan. Perhaps the best way to start is by completing your law firm’s Google My Business page, since these are closely related. In addition to this, take a look at your website to see where it may be revised and upgraded. You can also increase your visibility on Google Maps by gaining positive reviews, adding photo and video and acquiring local links. By following these action steps, your law firm can be more easily found and chosen when searchers use Google Maps to browse the local area. 

We are here to help and would welcome the opportunity to visit with you for free regarding your law firm website’s content, and how we can take these tasks off your plate! Schedule a free visit with us by scheduling a quick phone or zoom call at your convenience on our calendar today. You can also email us at support@lawquill.com.