What is one thing a lawyer should know about the Google Screened program?
To help lawyers build a trusted reputation online, we asked business leaders and fellow lawyers this question for their best Google Screened program advice. From getting at least one review to updating your headshot, there are several pieces of advice that may help you develop your firm’s online presence to attract clients.
Here are seven Google Screened tips for lawyers:
- Get at Least One Review
- Show the Public You Have Been Vetted
- Increase Your Credibility With the Badge
- Follow Up to Make Sure the Screening Went Through
- Nurture Reviews From Satisfied Clients
- Update Your Headshot
- Provide Detailed Information
Get at Least One Review
Google requires that your Local Service Ads (LSA) have at least one review with an average rating of 3.0 (out of 5.0). If you want, you can include reviews from your Google My Business listing. You do not, however, need to have a Google My Business listing to conduct LSAs.
You can get reviews on your LSA profile immediately. It’s critical to keep in mind that LSAs for legal firms with a higher number of customer reviews and ratings will likely appear more frequently. I would recommend striving to get new reviews on both your Google My Business listing and your LSA profile.
Court Will, Will & Will
Show the Public You Have Been Vetted
Allowing the Google Screened program to do their research by vetting you will signal to the public you are legitimate. Google also requires at least a three-star rating, so combining that with the badge from the Google Screening program will help you gain more clients.
People want help when making decisions, so allowing Google to vet you and sharing it will help your firm get new clientele.
Ben Walker, Transcription Outsourcing, LLC
Increase Your Credibility With the Badge
Many businesses have taken advantage of Google’s Local Services Ads to promote their goods and services. Google is now offering this same opportunity specifically to lawyers and law firms in select geographic markets and practice areas.
The Google Screened Program is an opportunity for lawyers to get screened and receive badges from Google as reliable business entities. Clients will see lawyers who have earned the Google Screened badge as credible, which will generate more leads for law firms.
The Google Screened badge will make lawyers stand out from the rest of the pack.
Nonyerem Ibiam, Law Truly
Follow Up to Make Sure the Screening Went Through
Google uses a third-party screening company. When I first provided my information and that of the other attorneys in my firm, they did not complete the screening and simply closed the request without notifying me.
You need to proactively check the screening just in case they ask for additional information. Since they closed the case, I had to resubmit the request for screening the attorneys in my firm, and it took twice as long as it should have.
In the end, it has been completely worth it as the Local Services listing has been very good for our family law firm.
Corrie Johnston-Sirkin, NOVA Legal Professionals
Nurture Reviews From Satisfied Clients
Google Screened can be a valuable tool for attracting leads through digital ads. One of the requirements for earning that green checkmark is to maintain a three-star rating or higher. If you only have a few reviews, then one poor review can downgrade your rating; whereas, if you have many reviews, the occasional upset client may not budge the stars.
Make a habit of nurturing reviews from satisfied clients to safeguard against reactions from angry clients. While outright asking for Google reviews might be in poor taste, you can nudge your clients in the right direction by including links to your Google review page in later-stage emails, displaying a QR code to the page in your reception area, adding a widget to your website, and sharing five-star reviews through social media.
Michael Alexis, TeamBuilding
Update Your Headshot
Unlike most other search results, Google Screened will show your headshot first. It needs to be professional, but it also needs to connect with people.
They need to want to work with you, the individual. Think of this as a dating photo. This isn’t the time to use an old photo or your most serious professional face. Be friendly and smile!
David Romako, Bright Brothers Strategy Group
Provide Detailed Information
The Google Screened program can do wonders for your firm’s SEO, but in order to get the most out of it, it’s important to be precise and detailed with the information you provide. For example, mentioning the number of lawyers at your firm can increase your exposure, and Google will verify their license information to create profiles for them.
Riley Beam, Douglas R. Beam, P.A.
