Is your law firm on Google My Business? If not, it needs to be.
If you are navigating the world of digital marketing, there are likely a lot of unfamiliar terms swirling around in your mind, as well as many platforms and profiles you are being told to create. Your Google Business Profile is one of the most important because it will be front and center during a Google search.
The accuracy and usefulness of the information displayed could mean the difference between gaining a new client and someone who keeps on scrolling because your information isn’t up to snuff. Some of the benefits your law firm will experience with a fully complete Google Business Profile include an increased presence in a Google search, an opportunity for clients to leave reviews, the ability for clients and potential clients to access up-to-date contact information and hours of operation, and the option to track calls and analyze data on potential clients.
Consumers today are accustomed to accessing the information they need quickly, and they can grow frustrated if it is not available at a second’s notice. At ENX2 Legal Marketing, we want to help you avoid that. We want to make sure your Google Business Profile communicates the information your clients need to give you the business you deserve. That is why we have put together this comprehensive guide to help you create a Google Business Profile. Check out the five simple steps below:
1. Create a Google My Business Account
This first step shouldn’t come as a surprise, but you need to make sure your law firm has an account with Google. To set this up, visit www.google.com/accounts. You will need to sign in with a Google account. If you don’t have a Google account, you can also set that up easily from this page. Once you’ve logged in, then you can begin setting up your Google Business Profile.
Some law firm owners go to set up their profile, only to find that the profile already exists. This could happen for one of a few reasons. It is possible that someone associated with your law firm set up your profile and forgot or neglected to give you access. If this is the case, there is no need to worry. The process of reclaiming your law firm’s profile is actually quite simple. Search for your firm in Google maps and you should see a button that says “Claim this business.” Click that button and then click, “Manage business.” You will be prompted with a verification process that will take you through the necessary steps to reclaim your firm’s profile.
You can also choose to add owners and managers to your profile. To do this, sign in to your profile on your computer. You should see a menu on the left that says “Users.” Clicking on that will give you the ability to invite new users. You can then enter the name or email address of those who you would like to add.
2. Make Sure Your Profile Contains Up-To-Date Information
Consistency is key as you set up new profiles pertaining to your law firm. Make sure you use the same name and spelling that customers are familiar with when you set up your profile. This will help potential clients find you and also help you rank higher on Google.
As you set up your profile, you’ll be asked to input typical information about your firm like address, phone number, email, etc. You might also be asked to position a marker on the location of your firm on a map. It is important to get accurate information submitted to Google to help with the verification process and to also help your clients find you. Once your firm has been verified, you can easily update any information as needed.
3. Choose Primary and Secondary Business Categories
When you think about your business category, remember that it is the way clients will connect to the services you provide. The primary business category is one of a variety of factors that can affect your local ranking on Google.
On your Google Business Profile, you can set both primary and secondary categories. Choosing the right categories will help your law firm appear in relevant search results. You are allowed to set one primary category and up to nine secondary categories, but experts do not recommend setting more than four categories in total. Otherwise, you risk confusing the search engine and decreasing your ability to rank for primary categories.
There are over 3,000 different categories, and in order to increase your chances of ranking highly, you will want to choose the most specific category for your firm. Your primary business category holds the most value.
4. Add Photos to Your Google Business Profile
This step is quite simple for your law firm’s profile. All you need to do is add:
- Your logo to your listing to help clients locate you
- A cover photo is a great way to showcase a photo of your services
- Adding additional photos of your team and your offices help give a glimpse into the client experience
5. Verify Your Local Listing
Before you can verify your profile, you must request to claim it. If you do not verify your business, you will not be able to make any updates to your profile.
The most common way to verify your business is through a postcard. With this method, Google will send a postcard to the address associated with the profile. To make sure the postcard is delivered to the right location, you must make sure:
- The complete and exact address includes suite numbers, floors, building numbers, and other key unit information
- Only information that is part of the official address is in the listing
After your address is verified, you will receive a postcard from Google. This typically arrives within 14 days. The postcard will include a unique verification code for your law firm. You will enter this code to confirm that your business is located at the address you listed. This will ensure that your business information is accurate and that you are the only one who can access and change it in the future.
We understand that you might not want to wait for the postcard to arrive before you can start managing your account. Google offers a few alternative verification methods, such as:
- Phone call: If you choose this method, Google will send a call to the phone number associated with your profile. When you answer the call, you will be given a code that you can enter to verify your profile.
- Text message: Waiting around for a phone call is not always the most convenient. Luckily, Google can send over a text to the phone number associated with the profile that will connect you with a code to enter into GBP.
- Email: If you prefer, Google will send an email with your code to the email address associated with the account. However, this is not always an option because some businesses do not have email addresses with a domain that matches the business name.
Creating your Google Business Profile involves a few simple steps, but these steps will go a long way to getting your services in the eyes of those who need them. Once you have created your profile, you will be one step closer to ranking highly in searches, which will help you create a thriving law firm.
Setting Up Your Law Firm’s GMB Is Even Easier With ENX2 Marketing’s Help
And just like that, your firm will be able to be front and center during any Google search. In today’s digital landscape, where your potential clients have seemingly endless options, we want to make sure that you stay ahead of the game. Setting up your Google Business Profile successfully will ensure that your clients have the information they need to decide if your firm is right for their legal needs. When your firm is ranking highly in searches, you will be one step closer to getting the clients you deserve.
For next-level law firm marketing services your firm can rely on, contact the legal marketing professionals at ENX2 Legal Marketing today.