Larry Bodine Law Marketing Blog
Google: The Only Law Firm Directory to Bother With
Lawyers are repeatedly seduced and marketers are constantly aggravated to take space in law firm directories. Which one to choose? How much to pay? Should you pay? I can make the decision easy for you. There is only one directory you need to worry about: Google.
According to new research from Compete.com, Google's share of Web searches in September 2007 was a whopping 67%, up from 54% a year earlier. This blows away the use of Yahoo, with a measly share of 19% of all web searches (compared with 29% the year before, which is a big drop), and MSN at 9% Ask.com has a pathetic 3.6% of web searches.
The total number of searches conducted online is about 7.8 billion per month, according to the research. Clients use Google to look up phone numbers and addresses, so law firms can cancel their yellow pages ads. When clients want to check out your firm, they are not going to call up to get your printed brochure, they will look you up online.
No other lawyer directory even comes close to Google.
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Larry, I agree with you on the importance of Google. Gaining search engine prominence is a competitive advantage in today's electronic world. Many law firms and attorneys don't fully appreciate the benefits of search engine optimization and online publishing opportunities. Let's not overlook, however, the respected directory publishers who also work hard to offer law firms an online presence. An extensive list of these directories is available in my book "Courting Your Clients," which can be found in your bookstore.
Great insight about Law Firm Directories
I have been managing a very big Chicago Personal injury attorneys SEO For over 12 months and based on Google Analytics data I have gathered Google brought 59% traffic, Yahoo 11 % and MSN 4 %.
While my client firms invest in excess of $ 80,000 on directory advertising they only received 1 click from a very prominent law directory. I also found the conversation came from organic results and NOT from PPC.
Google is taking over the world, and has been for quite some time. The thing you need to know about being listed in the right Google searches is that it is easier than you think. There is so much information out there on the subject of search engine optimization. Do a little research, spend a little money, and watch your law firm climb up the search results.
Larry - great stuff. I agree with your concept wholeheartedly. And, if a law firm is doing search engine optimization or paid search marketing internally with somewhat limited resources, I agree to go after the biggest market share and concentrate on Google. If, however, a firm hires an outside company, they shouldn't automatically pass on Yahoo! (decent market share) or Live.com (Bill Gates doesn't like to lose). Try them all, allocate budgets accordingly, and TEST, TEST, TEST. Maybe Google was the only one worth trying, but maybe not. Why not try to succeed in a less crowded ad space where costs could be cheaper and results easier even if volume is ultimately lower?
Larry i do agree with you that Google has taken the lead and we all want to be in Google first position. However in my point of view we should not under estimate other search engines. Developing the right SEO strategy is not easy but you can find a lot information on the web about search engine optimization that will help you understand SEO and develop a strategy.