WHY GOOGLE MAPS IS MORE VALUABLE THAN YOUR WEBSITE

But first… Atlas Lawyers Conference May 4,5 and 6 Reminder

2 Weeks ago I interviewed Trial Lawyer and friend Chris Munley from Nationally recognized firm Personal Injury Law Firm, Munley Law.

Chris is hosting his annual Atlas conference (first time after Covid).  This conference isn’t about profit for Chris (or me). Can’t wait to see everyone in person!

• ATLAS LAWYERS CONFERENCE DISCOUNT: https://atlas-lawyers.com/cary/
• CHRIS MUNLEY INTERVIEW: https://gomediamarketing.com/meet-chris-munley-and-atlas-lawyers-conference-2022/

Why Google Maps is Worth More than Your Website

Lawyers! This video, email and post, is how a well optimized Google Maps listing is worth more than your website (for bringing in new clients).

Practicing law is hard enough… and what about passing the bar (I’ve heard it’s very hard)?

Now it seems you need to understand marketing in order to keep your practice healthy these days. But I’m here to make that part of your practice a little easier!

Google Maps 3 Pack Lawyers “Hit the Big Time”

Lawyers who are in the top Google three pack have “made it” these days.

When I say “made it” I mean like “Guns n Roses” in the 80s, parading the A&R reps from Warner Brothers, Universal, (and all the other major record labels down Sunset Boulevard) what a scene. That crazy band had the record labels in the palm of their hands.

Lawyers in the top three pack… have THAT kind of “made it”. Your potential clients find you (and then work with you) easily.

Let’s just say when you’re in the top three positions of the Google Maps — you are getting clients basically for free. Sure it takes time, talent and effort to get (and keep) the top Google Maps listing – but it only costs money if you want someone else to do the work for you. You can do this yourself.

How do law firm websites get clients?

A lot of law firms for many years, have been spending money to have marketing agencies and website developers (like us) writing articles with keywords This was done in order to keep your website at the top of the best search results so your website would bring in free clients.

This practice was valuable before the maps came along. We used to say if your law firm was in the top listings above the fold you could expect inquiries. But Google Maps has long since dominated that top Google “real estate”.

You can imagine, it’s worth a lot of money to show up on top of Google for keywords like “personal injury lawyers Los Angeles” (as an example – since I’m referencing L.A. today).

So how do websites get clients? People will go from your Google Maps to your website, from ads to your website, from social media free and paid to your website, from YouTube to your website, from TV to your website, billboards… you get the idea! You need to send traffic to your website somehow, and being on the top of Google Maps is one of the best ways.​

Ads, Maps and Listing Sites (Which gets Clients?)

If you go now to Google, and look at the most competitive searches like “personal injury lawyers Los Angeles” you’ll first see paid ads, then Google Maps, then often you’ll find listing sites, just below Google Maps.

Examples of listing sites are Expertise.com, Avvo, Findlaw etc. And my law firms do not report getting any clients from those websites.

Getting clients from paid ads is a big topic for another time.

Being Just Under the Maps isn’t Good Enough

Most recently however, Google is making it easier to get your website under the maps listing. (sarcastic “woo hoo”) – Your website developer might be excited to talk to you about picking up on that blogging and SEO again.

But I want to emphasize “under“. Because being under the maps listing means it’s unlikely you’ll get clients from that either. That being said, if you have the resources for SEO, being in the Google Maps 3 Pack, and having your website show up just under the maps would be good. But if you have to pick one, show up in the Google Maps.

Google themselves will tell you that most people searching will click on the lawyers they find on the “Google Maps 3 Pack” before they’ll click on an ad or anything below the maps.

And guess what… ‘yup’ generally (at least today) there is only room for 3 law firms (and sometimes a paid ad). This makes your Google Maps listing more valuable than your website in most cases.

Getting (and Keeping) Top Google Maps Ranking takes Ongoing Work

Putting your resources into keeping your google business maps listing fresh, filled with new content, reviews and not violating any of their policies is crucial for many law firms.

Even Smaller Firms can get Results (and Clients)

Do you feel like there’s no chance for you to make it into the Google Maps three pack?

That’s not true, I know a lot of law firms have wild resources and maybe you’re small and think there’s not chance.

I’ve gotten law firms in the most difficult competitive practice areas into the three pack. But it takes work and sometimes up to a year to see that result!

RECAP: Why Google Maps 3 Pack is Worth More than Your Website

• They won’t click on ads before they’ll click on the Google Maps 3 Pack.
• They usually won’t click under the Google Maps 3 Pack .
• They’ll choose one of the 3 Google Maps 3 Pack Listings over a paid ad, listing site or your website.

If you want a subject covered, or to be interviewed for (around) 12,800 law firms, please shoot me an email anytime:

Mary@GoMediaMarketing.com – I’ll answer, or my assistant Mae will get right back to you. We want to hear your voice!