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There are three ways to use the internet for lawyer marketing: The Right Way, The Wrong Way and No Way at all. There are lawyers out there doing all three. Here are my brief thoughts on each way of using the Internet for Lawyer Marketing:
No Way at All
I start with the most obvious opportunity. About 50% of the lawyer population doesn’t even have a website. Maybe they think they don’t need one. Maybe they see it as an expense. Maybe they think they just can’t compete with the large law firms on the Internet.
Even if a website helps you get one more client because they read your biography on line, the website is worthwhile. Forget about lawyer marketing, how about lawyer commonsense? Every lawyer needs a website.
The Wrong Way
About 40% of attorneys have a static web page they use as their website. They put something up in the Internet a few years ago and they forgot about it. The site probably has the attorney’s biography and some photos on it. It probably has some information about where the attorney’s office is located. It may even have a photo or two. But there is nothing about the client. There’s no educational material. There’s no information about how the client can get help. The website is all about the attorney.
The Right Way
About 10% of all lawyer websites have educational information on them. They are vehicles that clients use to find out about solutions to their problems. These websites are updated regularly. Clients return to these sites again and again not only for the information but also to keep up with the lawyer’s opinions on a variety of issues.
Clients who visit these websites feel as though they have a relationship with the lawyer. They do not hesitate to call and to refer other people to him.
Lawyer marketing is about building relationships. Your website should help build and strengthen your relationships with the people who are looking for information in the area of law where you practice. If you do not have a website you are missing out on a huge segment of potential clientele. If you have a website and it stinks, you are probably driving prospective clients away.