Google My Business is a Step Toward Curating the First Page of Google Search Results
Improving a Small Law Firm’s Web Presence and Google Visibility is a multipart series on how a small law firm or local business might generate business using the internet. This series explains simple actions that will tell Google that the business exists, where the business is located and what the business offers. Attorney Nessler implemented these ideas for his employer, The Law Offices of Frederick W. Nessler & Associates, Ltd. and greatly increased the firm’s online presence and visibility on Google. Although this series discusses these strategies in the context of small law firms, these methods are applicable to most small businesses.
Part One of this series explained how to set up or claim a Google My Business account. Part Two explains how to use Google My Business and why it is important.
When increasing a small law firm’s web presence and Google visibility, a primary focus is to put the right content on the front page of Google. Curating the first page of Google’s search results is possible. The first step to curating the front page of Google’s search results is giving Google the right information about your business in Google My Business. A curated and informative first page of Google search results will encourage a potential client to choose the well presented firm over its competitors.
A prominent and well curated presence in Google’s search results will result in more clients.
The primary goal this effort seeks to accomplish assumes that the potential client searched for the law firm by name. A potential client might do this for a variety of reasons. The potential client might be comparing the searched-for law firm with other firms, or the potential client might be looking for contact information. Under almost any circumstance, an informative and well curated results page will benefit the law firm. Proper use of Google My Business will help achieve this goal.
The first step is to set up or claim a Google My Business page. After a law firm has been set up or claimed on Google My Business it should be verified. This is accomplished by mail or telephone. Once the business is set up or claimed, Google will send a post card to the business. Simple instructions on the post card explain how to verify the account. This is an easy step and should be followed.
Next, confirm the information about the business is 100% accurate, and add any information that is missing. To accomplish this, log into Google My Business at https://business.google.com/ using the login assigned to the business when it was claimed or set up. Make sure all of the business information is accurate and fill in all information applicable to the business. More positive information filled out here will result in more positive information on the first page of Google’s search results. Post photographs of the business. Encourage clients to post reviews. The more information Google knows, the more information will be presented to the potential client.
A strong focus should be placed on client reviews. Studies show that reviews matter, a lot. Sending a follow up email when a case is complete is a very good practice. This email should include a link to the review section of the Google My Business page (and other social media accounts). This simple step will encourage clients to leave reviews. Doing a good and competent job for the client will encourage positive reviews.
A prominent and well curated presence in Google’s search results will result in more clients. Setting up and using Google My Business is the first step to curating the first page of Google’s search results. Once Google My Business is set up, your business will appear prominently in Google’s search results and provide potential clients and customers with critical information about your firm. By providing all information relevant to your law firm or business, uploading photographs and receiving reviews, a law firm will stand out from the competition.
You should sign up to follow Attorney Nessler because curating the first page of Google's search results will increase the number of clients interested in your law firm. If you don't follow these steps, your competitors might.