This is for a law firm.
I get a lot of companies offering SEO and other services to "get on the first page of searches." However, they are all very different and offer different services and prices. Who do you think is best?
Also, what other advertising/methods do you use to generate business? Right now, our word of mouth is outstanding and the sole source of business. However, we are expanding and will need to generate new business.
TYIA
[–]amsoell
I would be very wary of SEO firms. SEO is largely voodoo, and making "first page" promises can't really be guaranteed. Not saying all SEO firms are hucksters, but lots of them are in my experience.
SEO and advertising are two completely different animals, anyway. Which is it that you're more interested in here?
[–]ColumbusLaw
I know advertising is just an aspect of marketing, but I figure having a better online presence is the best way to reach out to people.
Most people only need a lawyer a few times in life so they do not know where to turn and the internet is the default way to research and find something you need.
[–]brunchordeath
I do seo. It's not voodoo. It's a basic understanding of the internet, and a lot of research.
[–]InfiniteZr0
Placing fliers on cars in nearby parking lots is good.
Just make sure you don't waste your time/money on a place that has no soliciting signs
[–]brunchordeath
I'm not a small business owner, but an advertiser (big & small) but it really depends. Do you need more business now, or do you want steady growth?
What kind of law do you practice, & more importantly are all of your customers 1 time buyers, or do they come back for their prenup's, wills & estates, bankruptcies, business advice etc. ? This is important, even for lawyers, you should know your customer's buying cycle. (hint, the long buying cycle is easier in the long run.
Essentials:
($1000-$25,000) A website, preferably revised within the last 3 years. It should have a content management system. If you don't know what that is, you don't have one. You should build a new site or have a company strong in development add some features to your current site.
FREE A google places/Google+ page, Bing Page, Yahoo Page, Yelp Page. This should help: https://getlisted.org/ be consistent and accurate when updating all of these. They take forever.
~$3600/mo For you, I'm assuming you do estates, wills & bankruptcies, yellow book is viable because old people have money and old people use the phone book.
Other stuff:
Most law firms are built on word of mouth, but you can incentivize this by asking people to review you online (can't pay for this) or refer-a-friend & get $ off services.
Print & banners are probably not your best bet. Go for things that have longevity, consider walking in the town parades and passing out magnets (they stay on fridges), sponsoring a baseball team and going to the games (pressing the flesh) and other community events where you are available to bump into potential clients. Probably not golf, unless you are a law firm for corporations. Most golfers I know already have a lawyer.
Also, consider building an email list, and offering tips/ updates/ advisement to your current clients.
Radio is middle of the road. It costs a decent amount, but not as much as TV, and has a better return than print.
Billboards are expensive, and you really have to send a message to get results.
SEO is good with the right company, but you are right that there are a lot of people offering it, and very few that I would personally recommend. I wouldn't even listen to any of them unless their starting price is a minimum of $500 a month, and even that is pretty small. Companies from India will bug you so you want someone local that you can go see face-to-face. Most of the money you spend will be spent on the guy/girl training you on how to better manage your business online.
Doing a little bit of all of these things will go a long way as well, and if you ask your clients, you'll find out very quickly which ones you feel are working, and which ones are not.
Things I strongly advise against:
Online Banner ads (unless retargeting) Newspaper Ads Saver Magazine etc.
If you just want to chat, pm me, and I'd happily let you bounce ideas.
[–]BuckeyeJay
Phonebooks. Everyone still uses those. I mean, they have to, since I have received about 6 on the front porch over the past 2 weeks.
[–]ColumbusLaw
Ha, yea. If you actually look at a phonebook the Attorneys section is literally the biggest by a mile. Unfortunately, we are a small firm and cannot compete with the bigger guys to have any significant presence.
[–]Inbounddude
Return on Yellowpages/Phone books is the lowest it has ever been for advertising/marketing.
You could pay a GOOD SEO individual or team $400-500 a month to get you more leads than any type of print media/ads.
[–]bucket323
Newspaper?
(Cue laughter & derision)
[–]cavsfan432
I work in marketing and am a pretty good proponent of website/blog/social combo. My agency actually has law firm experience, so if you're interested let me know. If you want to go it yourself at first, I would basically set up the following:
A Facebook and Twitter page. Might be less essential for a law firm, but I'd still do it. It's very inexpensive, and should be easy enough to get some traction if you harness your word of mouth.
A blog with content that people will want to read. Something that will drive some traffic and show interested customers that you know what you're talking about.
A modern, good looking website that lists your services, and provides a way to contact you.
I wouldn't worry too much about SEO. It's relatively easy to do the basics, beyond that you get into thousands and thousands of dollars of work for negligible benefits. Much better to just harness your already strong word of mouth onto the internet.
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